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THE BIG PODCAST - Should Men Always Pay? | Shannon Sharpe Should Have Listened | No Cherries For These Usher Fans | Neighborhood Bucket List Big Boy's Neighborhood
Chicago drill music has shaped a generation, and few artists embody its raw authenticity like the Grammy-winning rapper. In his most candid conversation yet, he reflects on his journey from the streets to global stardom.
The 2024 sit-down reveals untold stories about his artistic evolution, including label changes and creative risks. His 2023 win for “All My Life” with J. Cole marked a turning point, proving his crossover appeal beyond hip-hop.
Recent collaborations with Drake and Morgan Wallen showcase his genre-defying versatility. Yet his narrative remains rooted in Chicago’s struggles, making this dialogue particularly powerful amid current legal challenges.
Few rappers speak with the unfiltered honesty that defines his connection to Chicago and his fans. “It’s important to always put your city on your back… That’s your hometown,” he told DJBooth, embodying the loyalty that fuels his music. His lyrics don’t just narrate struggles—they amplify them.
Even amid 2024 legal challenges, his transparency about street life adds depth to his art. The Signed to the Streets series, for example, turned personal pain into anthems. Fans don’t just listen; they relate.
Streaming numbers prove his impact. Compare his two latest albums:
| Album | Year | Billboard Peak | Streams (Millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7220 | 2022 | #1 | 1,200 |
| Almost Healed | 2023 | #3 | 950 |
Features like King Von’s “All These Niggas” (24M YouTube views) show his collaborative appeal. But it’s his role as a father of seven that reshapes his storytelling. Tracks now balance grit with growth.
Since his 2014 XXL Freshman Class debut, his influence has only expanded. Raw narratives + relentless work = a voice that won’t fade.
Englewood’s streets shaped a legend long before the world knew his name. Born October 19, 1992, he faced hardships early—his father incarcerated when he was just seven months old. The neighborhood’s violence became his daily reality.
Chicago’s South Side taught survival before anything else. By his teen years, the streets pulled him in deeper. A 2011 gun charge marked a turning point—nine months for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
Music became his escape. Early mixtapes like I’m A Hitta (2011) rawly documented street life. The 216,000+ DatPiff downloads for Life Ain’t No Joke proved his voice resonated beyond the city.
2013 changed everything. Signed to the Streets wasn’t just a mixtape—it was a manifesto. Recorded partly during a jail stint, “Dis Ain’t What U Want” interrupted his creative flow but amplified its authenticity.
Def Jam noticed. Their $300,000 advance offer validated his grind. Yet the neighborhood remained central—his lyrics still name-checked Englewood corners while reaching new audiences.
Ten years later, that duality defines his art. From local hero to global star, the journey stays rooted in Chicago’s concrete. Every verse still carries the weight of those early struggles.
In his most unfiltered conversation to date, the Chicago-born artist peeled back layers of his career and personal growth. The discussion revealed pivotal moments that shaped his journey, from label changes to creative freedom.
Chicago remains at the core of his identity. “You can take me out the city, but you can’t take the city out me,” he emphasized. His 2024 legal challenges only deepened this connection, as fans saw his struggles mirror their own.
The Neighborhood Heroes concept from Signed to the Streets 3 paid tribute to local figures. It wasn’t just music—it was a movement. Relocating to Atlanta for a “better scene, better vibe” (DJBooth) didn’t erase his roots.
His time at Def Jam included two albums before his 2018 exit. The shift to Alamo Records marked a turning point.
“Alamo told me to just do me… I can drop what I feel”
The creative freedom at Alamo led to chart success. Compare his label performances:
| Label | Album | Billboard Peak | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Def Jam | Remember My Name | #14 | Gold |
| Alamo | The Voice | #2 | Platinum |
2023’s Almost Healed under Alamo explored therapy themes, showing artistic evolution. Fans praised the raw honesty—proof that creative control matters.
Label changes often define an artist’s trajectory, and few have navigated them as strategically as this Chicago icon. His shift from Def Jam to Alamo Records wasn’t just a business move—it reshaped his sound and success.
His 2013-2018 tenure at Def Jam started strong but grew restrictive. Remember My Name (2015) debuted at #14 on the Billboard 200 with 28K units—solid, but not groundbreaking. The label’s tight control over projects clashed with his vision.
Financials played a role too. Def Jam’s advances paled against Alamo’s profit splits. By 2018, he needed freedom.
“I had to bet on myself,”
he later reflected.
Alamo’s hands-off approach, per a 2019 Rolling Stone feature, let him thrive. 2020’s The Voice, a tribute to King Von, became his first Platinum album. Compare the labels’ impacts:
| Aspect | Def Jam | Alamo |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Control | Limited | Full autonomy |
| Peak Chart Position | #14 | #1 (7220, 2022) |
| Streams (Millions) | ~500 | 1,200+ |
2023’s Almost Healed, executive-produced by his team, explored therapy themes—proof that artistic freedom fuels evolution. From Def Jam’s constraints to Alamo’s liberation, his journey underscores one truth: control matters.
When fans demanded a return to raw storytelling, the response was a powerful mixtape that redefined authenticity. Signed to the Streets 3 (2018) wasn’t just an album—it was a homecoming. The project blended street anthems with star-powered features like Future and Lil Baby, proving loyalty to the neighborhood could coexist with mainstream success.
Twitter campaigns like #STTS3 trended for weeks, showcasing unmatched hype. The 14-track album (53 minutes) balanced pain-driven lyrics like “Green Light” with radio-ready hits. Compare its rollout to 2013’s original mixtape:
Studio costs topped $500K—a gamble that paid off. Streaming numbers doubled his Def Jam era, cementing independence as his blueprint.
The neighborhood wasn’t just a backdrop; it was the narrative. Tracks honored local figures, mirroring his 2022 foundation work. “Downfall” and “Breathe It” wove social commentary, foreshadowing 2023’s All My Life themes.
“I wanted the streets to hear their stories in my music.”
Critics praised the balance—50% “pain tracks,” 50% club bangers. The result? A Platinum plaque and a blueprint for authenticity.
The drill music scene exploded in 2012, but its evolution owes much to one artist’s relentless innovation. Defined by its dark beats (140–150 BPM) and unfiltered street narratives, the genre became Chicago’s voice. Few artists bridged raw authenticity and mainstream success like this Grammy winner.
Early drill tracks like “Dis Ain’t What U Want” (2013) clocked 145 BPM—aggressive yet melodic. By 2023, productions slowed to 130 BPM, blending trap influences. This shift mirrored his growth from local mixtapes to Billboard dominance.
Collaborations expanded the genre’s reach. King Von’s “All These Niggas” and Pooh Shiesty’s “Back in Blood” remix proved drill’s versatility. The 2021 Donda feature on “Jonah” introduced drill to Kanye’s audience, amassing 85M streams.
UK drill artists cite his work as foundational. Tracks like “Broadway Girls” (with Morgan Wallen) showed cross-genre appeal, while retaining drill’s lyrical edge. Streaming numbers reflect this impact:
From BPM shifts to global collabs, his role in drill’s evolution remains unmatched. The genre’s future? Still written in Chicago’s streets.
Legal challenges have repeatedly tested his resilience, yet each setback fueled greater creative output. From a 2011 gun charge to 2024’s murder-for-hire indictment, the artist’s life mirrors the struggles he raps about. These pauses weren’t roadblocks—they became turning points.
His 2011 jail stint (nine months for gun charges) interrupted early mixtapes but birthed “Dis Ain’t What U Want”. Recorded partly behind bars, its raw energy went viral. Fast-forward to 2024: MDC Los Angeles incarceration sparked fan protests, proving his influence transcends music.
Compare key legal moments and creative responses:
| Year | Charge | Creative Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Gun possession | Signed to the Streets mixtape |
| 2013 | Probation violation | Jail-recorded tracks |
| 2024 | Murder-for-hire | Almost Healed therapy themes |
Post-2018, he dropped four albums in three years—a work ethic few match. 2022’s 7220 (named after his block) topped charts, while Almost Healed (2023) addressed trauma head-on. Lyrics like “I seen the streets take lives, I had to heal” tied legal battles to personal growth.
His comeback blueprint:
Every jail stint added depth to his art. The streets raised him, but his pen saved him.
Fatherhood transformed his music, adding layers of vulnerability to his once purely street-driven narratives. Married to India Royale since 2017, the artist balances seven children with global stardom—a testament to his discipline. “I rap different now… my kids hear these songs,” he revealed in a 2023 interview, showing how fatherhood reshaped his craft.
His 2020 album The Voice marked a turning point, with tracks like “Stay Down” addressing fatherly advice. Compare his pre- and post-parenthood themes:
| Era | Album | Key Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 2013–2016 | Signed to the Streets 2 | Street survival |
| 2020–2023 | The Voice / Almost Healed | Fatherhood, therapy |
India Royale’s fashion brand collaborations (including a 2022 Foot Locker deal) mirrored their shared focus on legacy. The “Family First” tattoo on his neck isn’t just ink—it’s a creed. Studio sessions now follow strict schedules to prioritize school events and bedtime routines.
2023 custody battles over his eldest son influenced Almost Healed’s introspective lyrics. Tracks like “Before Fajr” revealed struggles beyond the streets. Yet his OTF (Only The Family) label operates as an extension of home, mentoring young artists like Booka600.
From lullabies to label meetings, this man redefined what it means to build a home while dominating hip-hop. The streets raised him, but family refined him.
Consistency separates legends from one-hit wonders in hip-hop. For this Chicago icon, releasing music isn’t seasonal—it’s a discipline. “I record every day… songs in the holster,” he told DJBooth, revealing a work ethic that fuels his dominance.
Six-to-eight-hour daily studio sessions are non-negotiable. In 2023 alone, he logged 200+ hours with producers like Metro Boomin and Chopsquad DJ. Compare his annual output:
| Year | Studio Hours | Projects Released |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 180 | 3 albums, 12 features |
| 2023 | 220 | 2 albums, Almost Healed Deluxe |
His vault strategy ensures no creative drought. With 100+ unreleased songs, he pivots effortlessly—like swapping drill beats for country collabs (Broadway Girls with Morgan Wallen).
OTF’s A&R team curates his features strategically. The 2021 Drake collaboration (Laugh Now Cry Later) wasn’t luck—it was planned during a studio day in Toronto. Key elements of his stamina:
From mixtapes to Grammys, his blueprint proves one truth: greatness isn’t sporadic—it’s scheduled.
Cross-genre hits are rewriting the rules of musical longevity. For this Chicago icon, strategic features amplify reach while keeping roots intact. From Drake’s anthemic hooks to Morgan Wallen’s country twang, each collab is a masterclass in adaptability.
2020’s *”Laugh Now Cry Later”* with Drake peaked at #2 on the Hot 100, amassing 500M+ streams. The song blended drill beats with pop hooks—a formula replicated in Lil Baby’s *”Voice of the Heroes”* (2021). Key stats:
| Song | Year | Streams | Billboard Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laugh Now Cry Later | 2020 | 500M+ | #2 |
| Broadway Girls | 2021 | 300M+ | #12 |
Morgan Wallen’s *”Broadway Girls”* proved country-rap fusion could work. J. Cole’s *Almost Healed* session added lyrical depth, while Alicia Keys’ 2023 feature showcased soulful versatility. Risks? Few. Rewards? Massive:
“Genre lines don’t matter if the music feels real.” — Producer on *Almost Healed*
2024’s incarceration limits live features but fuels recorded collabs. Up next? A Latin trap trial, per OTF insiders. The blueprint? Stay rooted, but reach wide.
Even behind bars, creative vision continues to shape his next chapter. While 2024’s incarceration postponed “The Voice 2.0” tour, handwritten letters confirm a new album is underway. Producers like Chopsquad DJ visit the facility, ensuring the music stays on schedule.
The postponed tour impacted 12 cities, but OTF’s CEO announced rescheduled 2025 dates. Behind the scenes, prison recordings focus on raw storytelling. A recent note revealed:
“This time locked up just means more material. The streets ain’t change.”
OTF Records plans to sign 3 more artists this year, expanding beyond drill. The Almost Healed Grammy nod (Best Melodic Rap) validated his genre-blurring approach. Rumors swirl about an R&B collab project with Bryson Tiller.
From prison cells to platinum plaques, his blueprint defies limits. The new album may drop before trial—proving creativity thrives, even in confinement.
From mixtapes to Grammys, his journey reflects resilience. Over a decade, the artist turned street narratives into anthems, proving drill music could dominate charts. His 2024 incarceration hasn’t silenced his influence—handwritten lyrics still flow.
Beyond streams, his cultural imprint runs deep. Chicago’s struggles found a global stage through his raw storytelling. Tracks like “All My Life” with J. Cole showed growth, while OTF Records mentors the next wave.
What’s next? Even behind bars, his legacy grows. New projects hint at gospel and R&B fusions, expanding his sound. For fans, his truth remains unchanged: authenticity always wins.
“I’m not just a rapper—I’m the voice of people who ain’t heard.” — XXL, 2023
Explore his catalog. The evolution speaks louder than any interview.
The mixtape was born from my experiences growing up in Englewood. It reflects the struggles, loyalty, and raw energy of my neighborhood.
I needed creative freedom. Alamo Records gave me the space to stay true to my sound while evolving as an artist.
My kids motivate me to work harder. They remind me why I push through setbacks and keep grinding in this industry.
It’s about shining a light on the real people in my city—those who don’t get recognition but shape our communities every day.
I treat music like a job. Whether I’m inspired or not, I show up and create. Discipline keeps me from burning out.
I choose features strategically. Working with artists like Drake or Lil Baby expands my reach while staying authentic to my roots.
Chicago’s sound went global because we kept it real. I helped pioneer that movement by blending street stories with mainstream appeal.
More albums, tours, and building a legacy. I want to inspire the next generation while staying connected to where I came from.
MIxes
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