Certified Fresh: Lil Bibby – Tales Of A Chiraq-Bred Audio Trapper
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The idea of a good kid in a mad city was popularized by a certain Compton rapper in 2012, but the concept behind it resonates in cities and neighborhoods across the globe. Art imitates life, and while the aforementioned rhymeslinger took the approach of someone with one foot in and one foot out the the game, others are knee deep in the front line of the trenches. That’s what makes Chicago and the rapper’s coming out of the city so interesting — it’s the ecology.
We’ve seen a list of newcomers represent different aspects of the mecca of the midwest, but perhaps none fully encompass the city’s grit, soulful lineage, and the technical skills a true MC needs to possess like Lil Bibby. You may have heard of the 19-year-old with the voice of a man thrice his age. But, by our standards, that’s the residual affect of a place that builds character like few others.
It’s a place currently defined by the youth, it’s Drill Music culture (though Bibby doesn’t particularly care for the term), and blatant honesty. Those are all factors in Bibby’s appeal, but it’s his raw rapping ability that separated him and close friend Lil Herb (G Herbo) from the pack in recent months. Late last year, the baby-faced MC packaged 17-tracks into a mixtape aptly titled Free Crack. On it, was a pair of songs that stood out like a sore thumb — the soulful “Water” and a Hit-Boy-produced heater coined “Whole Crew.”
The project propelled Bibby, our latest Certified Fresh selection, to greater heights. Learn more about him below.
Who: It’s been said before, but no one can deny that it’s a shock to see what Lil Bibby looks like. His fair skin and curly hair give him the look of a honor roll student, but after you hear him rhyme, you’ll know he majors in “hustlnomics.” His name stems from his hoop dreams days — he reportedly had a jumpshot and to some resembled NBA point guard Mike Bibby.
The Chicago native hails from the East Side of the city. That molded him into the MC he is today — one whose penchant for street jargon is as fluid as his wordplay. Simply put, at no time in a Bibby verse will you doubt the validity of his statements. That’s big in a day and time where most rhymes seem fabricated or at least dolled up for good measure.
Credentials: Lil Bibby’s buzz has been growing for some time. However, 2013 was his breakout year after he received co-signs from hometown artists like King Louie. But nothing was the same (pun intended) after the young wordsmith received a direct message on Twitter from Drake. “Streets need that TAPE! I’m waiting on it,” read the message the OVO frontman sent prior to Free Crack‘s release. Since then, things have been on and popping for Bibby, whose traveled nationwide in his short stint of fame. Now, many are anxiously waiting to see what the kid can do.
Fun Fact: Lil Bibby attended the first half of high school at Chicago’s famed King College Prep, but left because he felt like he didn’t fit in.
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Photo: Instagram
Hip-Hop Wired: What was your thought process while creating Free Crack?
Lil Bibby: Um, I don’t really know. I was all over the place. It was a 10 month process, so I really didn’t have no one thought process. I was all over the place.
HHW: So would you say it was an “art imitates life” situation?
Lil Bibby: Yeah, exactly.
HHW: I notice that the project has two distinct sounds — Chicago’s Drill and soul. What made you switch between the two?
Lil Bibby: Because I really like the soulful sound, you know? That’s my favorite, but Chicago, you know they want that sound, so I couldn’t leave them. You know?
HHW: That’s totally understandable. But you said soulful beats are your preference. Why is that?
Lil Bibby: I don’t know. I just like talking about stuff that I’m going through sometimes, or just regular problems. All those trap beats with the heavy bass, I can’t really talk about too much.
HHW: I had a personal/fan question for you too. “Whole Crew” is crazy and it’s produced by Hit-Boy. How did you manage to get a Hit-Boy beat?
Lil Bibby: I’d been trying to get a Hit-Boy joint for a minute, so he finally sent a few joints through. I picked one and I did it, and I sent it back. After that, Hit-Boy, he just got to going crazy. He FaceTimed me. He was just playing the joint out loud — he had a lot of guys in his crib. They were just going crazy.
He was like “Man, send me this man. You got to let me mix this down, man. You know I’m the best at that.” I sent it to him. He just mixed it down, added a few more sounds, and then he sent me 10 more beats.
HHW: So you may have more tracks with Hit-Boy on the way?
Lil Bibby: Yeah. Yeah, I like Hit-Boy.
HHW: I can’t recall the song title, but it was the fifth record on Free Crack featuring King L. You said something along the lines of how “you want to keep the peace,” but it’s hard. Is that where your head would be if you had it your way?
Lil Bibby: Yeah man. I’m trying to get this money man. These guys… a lot of these guys don’t have nothing to do but start something. I’ve been trying to keep peace, but these guys out here, they just want you… they can’t let you man.
HHW: On a rap front, as an artist, what are some things you need to work on?
Lil Bibby: I got to work on my show, like my stage show. Just my stage show, and like, talking to people a little bit more. I don’t really like talking to people like that.
HHW: Understanable. From an artist standpoint, where do you see yourself going as you move into the game? Are you getting more on the personal side? You putting on for your city?
Lil Bibby: It’s bigger than my city, man. But yeah, I’mma get a little bit more personal man. I’ll tell a little bit more about Bibby probably on the album or something. What Jeezy say? “I’m trying to be bigger than Jay Z!” [laughs]
HHW: So back to Chicago. There’s a lot going on in your city. Are you open to working with artists like Chance The Rapper, Alex Wiley, etc.?
Lil Bibby: Yeah. I was trying to get Chance on the tape, but he was on tour so he was little busy. Me and Chance might do some stuff in the future. He cool.
HHW: That would be dope. How about other rappers? Who inspires Bibby?
Lil Bibby: I like Drake. I like [Rick] Ross. I like Young Jeezy. I listen to the old Gucci Mane — he don’t really inspire me like that, but I like Gucci. Uhh, Future and that’s about it
HHW: I’m kind of surprised that your list only had newer rappers. With your style, I would have thought Jadakiss and folks like that would make the cut.
Lil Bibby: Yeah, Kiss… that’s one of my favorite rappers
HHW: You’ve been to a lot more cities since you’ve started rapping. What has that done for you material?
Lil Bibby: I got a little bit more to talk about. But I don’t know, I’m kind of losing my street — you know man? I feel like I’m losing it a little bit man. I ain’t been in the streets like I be.
HHW: But your homies are still in it. You don’t think that gives you more validity than most?
Lil Bibby: I’m still in it man, but I don’t be around like that man. I feel like I’m a little distant to it.
HHW: Well, you said you were trying to get to the money. Are you trying to keep it on a level where’s you’re trying to balance street life and the music industry or are you trying to separate yourself from it?
Lil Bibby: I’m trying to get M’s (millions) man. Man, somebody got to do it.
HHW: I assume that you’re going to put Lil Herb and your crew on, too. Is that in the agenda?
Lil Bibby: Yea, them my boys.
HHW: Last question. What’s Lil Bibby working on now?
Lil Bibby: I’m working on a remix to the “Whole Crew” joint off the project and I’m trying to put together something with the “Water” joint. On the “Whole Crew” joint, I don’t know who gon’ get on there, but I’ve been talking to T.I., Juicy J.
I’ve been hitting Drake and telling him to get on there, but that’s one guy I don’t know about, man. He might do it or he might not. He hasn’t hit me back about that yet. I don’t want to sweat him. But I think Juicy gon’ be on there for sure and T.I. might be on there.
