Today we’d like to introduce you to Merari Bowen.
Hi Merari, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The story of LemonBand starts long before the name ever existed. Music has always been a part of our family. Growing up, my brother Micah “Luh Riel” and I were surrounded by it. My uncle played drums, my Granny and PawPaw sang, and one of my biggest inspirations was my favorite guitar player, Bruce. Even family nights playing Guitar Hero helped fuel our love for music. We were always freestyling together as kids, so making music together later in life felt natural.
My cousin Kiewon “TNR” was already taking music seriously and had some experience under his belt. Around the same time, my brother Luh Riel was beginning to evolve as an artist, focusing more on music videos and promotion. We always talked about doing music on a bigger scale and showing what we could really do.
At the time, I was working at a car dealership. Whenever I wasn’t busy helping customers, I would draw. I’ve always been a doodler, and sketching became a creative outlet for me. During those quiet moments, an idea started forming in my head. I knew I wanted to build something meaningful—something bigger than just music.
Christmas of 2022 became a turning point. We recorded a song called “South.” I handled the intro while Luh Riel and TNR were on the track. Looking back, that was really the genesis of LemonBand. At the time, we weren’t even calling ourselves LemonBand yet. I referred to us as the “903 Boys” because of our roots in Sherman, Texas, just outside of Dallas. I still remember the feeling we had walking out of the studio after recording. We were excited, energized, and felt like we had just won an award. That moment made me realize we had something worth building.
Not long after, I started seriously developing the LemonBand concept. The phrase originally didn’t mean anything—I just thought it sounded cool. But eventually I wanted it to stand for something.
The first part came naturally:
L.E.M.O.N. = Limitations Excuses Make Only Negatives.
To me, that means the limitations we place on ourselves are often self-created. Excuses and negative thinking can stop people from reaching their potential. I wanted that message to represent perseverance and growth because everyone faces challenges.
The second half took longer. I had the Lemon part for about a month before the rest came together. One day I was lying in bed with the TV on in the background when it suddenly hit me:
B.A.N.D. = But All N****s Dominate.
It was bold, direct, and represented the competitive mindset we all share. Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve always tried to become the best version of myself, and I wanted LemonBand to carry that same energy. As a lifelong wrestling fan, I was also inspired by groups like the Nation of Domination from the late 1990s. Their confidence, presence, and larger-than-life personalities left a lasting impression on me.
Once the name had meaning, the vision became clear.
The members of LemonBand each bring something unique to the table.
I’m Merari “Ferrari,” the creator of LemonBand’s visual identity and graphic design. I help shape the overall look and direction of the brand.
TNR is what we call the Hook King. He can create melodies and catchy flows effortlessly, often right off the top of his head.
Luh Riel has a style that makes listeners pay attention to every word. He’s not a typical modern rapper. His sound feels like a throwback to the 2000s while still feeling current.
The newest member is BIG JUSTO. I’ve known him for years through Riel, and he brings soul to the group. His singing has a classic R&B feel reminiscent of artists like Big Moe, while also being able to rap at a high level.
Together, we felt like the perfect combination of different personalities, styles, and talents.
As LemonBand grew, I wanted the visuals to feel different too. We started with a camera I bought from a pawn shop for $30. I was heavily inspired by old-school rap DVDs, VHS tapes, and music videos from creators like Zooter McGavin. I wanted LemonBand to have that raw, unfiltered feeling that existed before social media and algorithms took over. No scripts, no pretending—just us being ourselves.
What started as vlogs eventually evolved into streaming and content creation. Since we all live in different cities, I created different shows and content ideas to keep the platform active. Our conversations about music, gaming, wrestling, and everyday life became the foundation of the brand. One of those ideas evolved into “LIVE ON DA WOOD” featuring TNR and other guests. It became a space where artists, creators, and supporters could show their personalities and connect with people.
Today, LemonBand is much more than a music group. It’s a lifestyle brand built around unity, culture, creativity, and being unapologetically yourself. We’ve always wanted to create something people could genuinely connect with. Whether it’s through music, content, gaming, or simply our personalities, we want people to feel like they’re hanging out with family.
That’s why we often say we’re on our way to becoming “America’s Favorite Cousins.”
At its core, LemonBand represents something bigger than us. It represents believing in yourself, staying authentic, and refusing to let limitations define your future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Not at all.
One of our biggest challenges was getting everybody in the same place at the same time. Between work, life, and living in different cities, trying to coordinate LemonBand sometimes felt like trying to schedule a family reunion with people who don’t answer the group chat.
Another challenge was that we never really fit into one box. One day we’re making music, the next we’re talking wrestling, then gaming, then having random conversations that somehow turn into content. The algorithms probably looked at our page and said, “What exactly are these guys doing?”
The funny part is that a lot of our early content wasn’t even intended to be content. It was just us hanging out and being ourselves. We didn’t realize people would actually watch it. We were basically documenting our lives before we knew what content creation was.
There were definitely moments where growth felt slow, but we stayed consistent. We’d rather be known for being authentic than for chasing trends. In the end, being ourselves became our biggest advantage.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
as the founder of Lemonband Merari Ferrari I edit all the content on the channel run the pages and post. I would say we most know for our personalities and chemistry on camera. I think LemonBand is most known for being authentic… and for somehow turning every conversation into complete chaos. Whether we’re making music, streaming, gaming, talking wrestling, or arguing about something nobody remembers correctly, people get the real version of us.
A lot of our supporters say watching LemonBand feels like hanging out with family or being at a cookout with your favorite cousins. That’s probably the biggest compliment we can receive because that’s exactly what we set out to create. We wanted people to feel like they’re part of the family—just without having to bring a side dish.
The music is a huge part of what we do, but our personalities, chemistry, and the way we interact with each other are what make LemonBand unique. We’re not trying to fit into a certain trend or play characters. What people see is who we really are: a group of cousins and friends having fun, making memories, and occasionally roasting each other for entertainment purposes.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
One of the things I love most about Houston is the culture. As someone who isn’t originally from Houston, I’ve been amazed by how many different backgrounds, personalities, and experiences come together in one city. You can meet people who know the history and lore of entire neighborhoods, learn about different cultures, and hear stories you wouldn’t hear anywhere else. Living here has given me a greater understanding of people and different perspectives.
In a lot of ways, that diversity aligns with what LemonBand represents. We’re a group with different personalities, interests, and influences, but we come together through music, creativity, and culture. Houston embraces individuality, and that’s something we’ve always tried to do with LemonBand. The city has shown me that people from completely different walks of life can connect through shared experiences, which is a big part of our mission as a brand.
Now, what do I like least about Houston? That’s easy—the traffic. Houston traffic has probably tested my patience more than anything else in this city. But even with that, the culture, the people, and the opportunities here make it worth it.
Pricing:
- LemonBand Merch Hat – $30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lemonband-merchandise.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_lemonband/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lemonbandlbx
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_lemonband?lang=en
