They share a similar build, hairstyle and facial features. But whatever you do, do not confuse Lyrikal with Skinny Fabulous. He does not find it funny.
Lyrikal is Devon Martin, a Trinidadian artiste living in New York. As his name suggests, he has a way with words.
Like Fabulous (Gamal Doyle), Lyrikal was heavily into Jamaican dancehall in his youth and early career, making his own chants and performing in school talent shows and neighbourhood block parties.
He began to focus seriously on his recording career in 2003 and caused a stir when he jumped on the 2005 Pot O’ Gold riddim produced by Shawn ‘Mastamind’ Noel. His song was More Gyal.
With more than 40 releases since then, Lyrikal has emerged as a singer with a penchant for mellow, danceable grooves and good storylines. That impression is reinforced by tracks such as All Over De Gyal (2009), Ramajay (2010) and 25-8 (2012).
In the past two years his music has stepped up a gear and in 2014 he reached the finals of the International Power Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad and Tobago performing Lockdown, his duet with Kerwin Du Bois. His other track, Conquer Meh, was also popular.
He followed that up with a polished presentation in the final of the Groovy Monarch contest in 2015 with Cloud 9, one of his many tunes (among them Loner, Dey In It and Untamed) in rotation for the carnival.
Showing he is all about business, Lyrikal has already released a serious contender for the 2016 season in the form of Nobody on the Zulu Tribe riddim. Given his track record, the best is very likely yet to come.
Lyrikal can be seen performing in London this coming Saturday 22 August for South Connections at Mayhem in the AM.