Orillia hip-hop artist Lucas Di Mattia, who goes by the stage name LLD (Long Live the Dreamer), is set to release his first music video next week.
The Orillia Secondary School (OSS) graduate comes from a long line of musicians. His mom and sister are singers, and his stepfather and brother are drummers.
“It kind of just runs in our blood,” Di Mattia said.
When Di Mattia was 16, he says he hit some low times in his life. Through music, he explained, he was able to escape his darkness.
“Through some of my role models like XXXTentacion, Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Joyner Lucas, and their storytelling ability, it gave me guidance,” he said. “It helped me see the light at the darkest times and made me feel empowered in moments where I felt powerless.”
Di Mattia started listening to beats on YouTube and would write lyrics to them. The hobby turned into Di Mattia’s main life focus.
But there was a time when sports was a focal point. When he was 18, the former OSS Nighthawks quarterback and Huronia Stallions running back was offered a scholarship to play football at the University of Puget Sound in Washington.
“I was at a point in my life where I had to choose between sports and music,” he said. “My heart said music, so I decided to take the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College.”
Now, 20, Di Mattia says he’s learned the aspects of social media, artist development, performing, and other key skills that help make a successful artist.
“Being around like-minded individuals every day helps a lot,” he said. “The creative energy is always inspiring.”
He says his hard work and consistency have started to pay off.
“I believe I’ve improved a tremendous amount,” he said. “It’s been a lot of trial and error and trying to find that new inspiration and spark to go outside of my comfort zone.”
Recently, Di Mattia shot a music video with Dragan Andic, a videographer who has worked with Drake, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, and other notable names in the industry. The song is titled Love or Lust and has been highly anticipated by Di Mattia’s fan base.
“It’s a story that capitalizes on modern-day love and the goals, dreams, and aspirations of an individual who is trying to inspire the world through deep sentimental lyrics,” he explained.
The song will be available on all streaming platforms on Friday, March 31. The music video will be available on YouTube on April 7.
“I invested a lot into this music video,” he said. “I’ve put many hours into this song to create a vision and bring it to life.”
Di Mattia hopes people take away “valuable lessons” from his new music video.
“I hope they take away the insight that I’m trying to share with the world,” he said. “I hope it allows them to step out of their perspective to see all perspectives of the world.”
Di Mattia said he wants to grow his fan base to an international level.
“I want to put Orillia on the map,” he said. “I want to show the kids who are aspiring musicians that nothing is impossible and if you can dream it and you truly want to achieve it, then you can.”
You can follow Di Mattia and his music journey here.
