Beleshia “Lyrical” McCulley on Balancing Motherhood, Leadership, and the Music Game

What drew you to the music industry, and how did you break through?

I get this question a lot. My daughter is Ashlee Bankz (rapper from the South Suburbs of Chicago). She was in highschool playing basketball and decided that she wanted to do music. I was already doing music at the time doing background vocals for other artists and singing with a band. I put my artistry to the side to make sure she would be good.

How has motherhood influenced your leadership style in the music business?

What's crazy is that people refer to me as either the big sister in this game or the mother of the game and I personally accept the sister route.

I have a no nonsense type of attitude that I had with my own children, There is no plan B only a plan A. So let's figure this shit out or you already know what the results are going to be. You can't be around me if you don't have hustle. Both of my kids are hustlers. They literally get it from their mama.I want people to win and find their purpose if they are around me. If you're making excuses I will never be your person. My leadership style is the exact same. Everything has to make sense.

What advice would you give to other working moms aiming for executive roles in entertainment?

Off the top of my head the first thing that came to my mind is dont work so hard that you forget about your kids needs because of this business. That one on one time is important. Those car rides to school, mean something. You will pay for that in the end if you don't recognize patience and time. There are no do-overs sometimes and the damage that can be done can last far into their grown up lives. Be present and understand that that money that you are trying to get will still be there. Prioritize your children just like you do your business. Don't rush and yell so much because you are under pressure. Breathe and state peace be still. If you don't these things will come up later on.

Being an executive in this business especially for a woman takes a different type of muscle and beast. You learn to take the emotions out of everything and develop a plan which sometimes can make you be hard at home hence why I stated what I said earlier. What's for you is for you and to be a mom in this business you are going to have to develop a strategic plan that can keep you afloat with everything and that's just the truth.

How do you prioritize self-care ?

I prioritize self care by simply just doing it. I never really have time to tend to myself like I need to so lately I have just been making sure I stay up with the basic care of my nails and feet, keeping my hair done and if it is not done it is breathing naturally. I used to get facials once a month and spa's once a month, now its ranging every 3 months when I go out of town and because of my schedule even that is becoming busy. My body will tell me like " Lyrical" you need a you WEEK and I follow suit. LOL

What’s next for you—any projects or initiatives you’re passionate about?

Well what's next for me is really getting to know myself with no real responsibilities but myself now. I've always put people ahead of me because number 1 I'm a mother and a business woman and sometimes it's very hard to do anything really for yourself that sticks to your heart. Both of my babies are grown and have their own. I can finally say I'm free with a smile on my face. Just recently I committed to my own spot that is beautiful along with adorable. I've wanted it for a long time. Finally it is just me. I'm excited!

I have several projects that I am committed to right now with different clients. 2026 definitely will be a very big year for my team.

My plan is to keep living life unapologetically and gracefully.

ABOUT LYRICAL:

In 2009, Lyrical established her own management company, Lyrical Eyes Management (LEM) to support her daughter Ashlee Bankz, a rising Chicago artist.

She went from mom-ager to managing some of Chicago's hottest artists and videographers in just three short years.

Of the 13 artists she took on in that time, singer Tink and rapper Lil Durk are among Lyrical’s most notable, as she managed to transition them to major record labels Epic and Def Jam, respectively. Lyrical also was on call at Interscope Records for rapper Chief Keef and managed super videographer A Zae Production for over 7 years.

She also has her own record label, Three Twenty Three Music Group, named for her late brother’s birthday. Neo-soul singer Ravyn Lenae is signed to Three Twenty Three Music Group/ Atlantic Records, after transitioning from LEM.