Born Gamal Lewis, The Miami native comes by his love for soul and hip-hop authentically. Lunch was raised in a musical family of Jamaican descent and grew up listening to reggae and Motown, as well as to James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Prince, and The O’Jays. His father Roger and his uncle Ian were founding members of the legendary reggae band Inner Circle, who scored a Top 10 hit with “Bad Boys” when it became the theme song to the TV show Cops. Lunch received his first big opportunity and nickname in the tenth grade, while working with hip-hop producer Salaam Remi. Eventually Lunch’s talent led him to write for Meek Mill (“Off The Corner,” featuring Rick Ross), Ace Hood (“We Don’t”), and P. Diddy (“Big Homie,” featuring Rick Ross). He also put out a few singles and a mixtape that were local hits in Miami before a mutual friend introduced him to Kasher, who had just signed on with Dr. Luke’s Prescription Songs. The two collaborated on Juicy J’s “Scholarship” before Lunch made the move to L.A. last year and joined Kash at Prescription Songs as a writer.

Lunch soon found himself writing for Nicki Minaj (The Pinkprint’s “Trini Dem Girls,” which Lunch is also featured on), as well as for Fifth Harmony (the gold-certified “Bo$$”) and Jessie J (“Burnin’ Up” featuring 2 Chainz) with Ricky Reed. In person, Lunch is a mountain of a guy who radiates not so much a child-like vibe, but a genuine sincerity and positivity that is hard to resist. That uplifting spirit comes through both lyrically and sonically in the music Lunch has created with his primary collaborators, songwriter Jacob Kasher (AKA JKash) and producer Ricky Reed (Wallpaper), for veteran hitmaker Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records. Songs like “Bills,” “Mama,” and “Love Me Back” are toe-tapping, feel-good tunes that recall the Philly soul of Gamble and Huff and the Southern gospel of Stax, while still entirely making sense within the world of contemporary urban pop.

LunchMoney Lewis is set to release his debut album later this year.