After my initial investigation, I found out this much: at 27-years-old, this newcomer has the model good looks of an LL Cool J, the street sensitivity of a Tupac, and the calm swagger of a Jay-Z. And while we did meet briefly at the Urban Network Independent Music Festival where he won first place, I wondered...who is LC really?

I had spent much time working closely with his management, Artists-First Entertainment, but never got a chance to speak with him directly. So, they finally informed me that his busy schedule of being an ever-expanding artist, prolific writer, and dutiful father had an opening long enough for me to get the answers I was looking for...

First off, what does LC Stand for?
Lavon Collins. "L" and "C" are the initials of my first and last name.

Tell me about the Bronx, your hometown.
Well, Hip-Hop originated from the Bronx. The great ones originated from the Bronx like Africa Bambatta and KRS-One. I need to take the torch and run with it. My town needs someone else to step up and carry on tradition. You know, to bring Hip-Hop back to where it originated.

What is your earliest memory of music?
In Jerome where I'm from, I can remember the break dancing contests and the turntables. It was a place where I could express myself and I fell in love with reaching out to people.

Who were your early influences?
Special Ed, Heavy D and the Boyz, and Big Daddy Kane.

So, tell me about your new songs "Never Done" and "Are you There?".
"Never Done" is actually a club track inviting people to leave all the negativity outside when they come to the club...To just get on the dance floor and have a good time...To keep shaking and having a good time. When I say never done, I actually mean that we are never done having a good time on the dance floor.

"Are You There?" is a song I wrote to touch bases with the fathers that are out there having kids, creating kids, and not taking care of them. So, I wrote this song as if I were the child actually speaking to that father who is not there. I wanted to write a song like that because there are a lot of children out their hurting because they don't know who their fathers are. These men need to take responsibility for their actions. I just wanted to lend an opinion. I didn't want to attack the men that do that.

Are you speaking from personal experience?
Yes. It has happened to me. There is more to life than just partying and having a good time. There are actually some issues out here that need to be spoke upon. I wanted to touch on a real social issue. I feel like missing fathers is a social issue. Broken homes are an everyday thing and they shouldn't be.

Who did you work with on these tracks?
My manager, Don K. Taylor, from Artists-First produced "Are You There?" Phase from Time is Money Entertainment produced "Never Done." Oh, and Terry Taylor sang the hook on "Are You There." He's a very good guy.

So, I'm seeing another side to you. What would you say is your mission as a musician?
My mission is to touch as many people as possible. I want to show versatility in my music as well as growth. I want to give back to bring back creativity and not be a one-sided artist. I believe that with this talent, there is a great responsibility. I want to talk about topics that people are not expecting to hear. That separates me from the elite.

How would you describe the power of music?
The power of music should be taken very seriously. It is a responsibility. It is so powerful because of the words. Words last longer than a punch. A person can hit you and in due time, that pain will go away. But, a word can last so long. It sticks out forever. Music is very powerful...because if you can play a song 25 years from now and if it is a strong song, it is still relevant...So, I believe that you should deliver good music that can actually change someone's life.

So besides the music, what are the other irons in the fire that I heard about?
Television, film, the runway, and more...The sky is the limit...Everything that can better me. But, most importantly, I have a 3-year-old son, Jaden, and want to leave something behind so he can be proud of. I am definitely trying to set an example.

Does he show interest in music?
Yes. He might be the future when I'm done. He's going to take over! (Ha Ha)

Ahh...But, you said you were 'never done'.
I am never done. But, because he is my son, I will never be done. I can also live vicariously through him. He can take over from there...I must say that it was refreshing to talk to a new Hip-Hop artist that didn't sound strung out on some illegal substance, that didn't have pending court cases (per his management), and that actually takes an active role in raising his child. So, who is LC? He is a shining example of what Hip-Hop should be. He is the future.

LC is featured on the soon to be released "The Future Vol. 1"compilation due out later this year. Its first single "Never Done" is already gaining momentum and has just been added at radio stations all over the country.