Houston native Lil Play has written and performed his own songs since the fifth grade. After several years of working to get established in the music industry, Lil Play is becoming one of the most sought after writers and is poised to make an impact in hip-hop. As the writer of Ludacris’ “My Chick Bad,” Lil Play proved that he could pen a smash hit. Now he wants to take his sound to the next level as an artist on Interscope Records. Lil Play discusses his rise to stardom and the highs and lows of the music industry. –amir shaw
What are some of the downsides of being in the music business?
Once I got into the industry, I realized that the business side of the industry is a real headache. The agreements, contracts and paperwork can be a lot. You can’t just make a song and put it out. You have to go through a lot of things just to drop one song.
You were just getting started when rolling out first interviewed you a few years back. How did you hook with Rodney Jerkins and Interscope Records?
I hooked up with my managers after performing at a club in Atlanta called the Royal Peacock. They introduced me to Susan Pass and she later introduced me to Rodney Jerkins. At the first meeting with Rodney, I played a song and he thought it was just OK. He gave me a few other tracks and I wrote and recorded for an hour. He wanted to sign me after that. I later performed three of my songs that I worked on with Rodney and Jimmy was in attendance. He wanted to sign me on the spot.
How did your work with Ludacris come about?
“My Chick Bad” came about when I did a session with The Legendary Trackstar. I recorded a hook, but I didn’t record any raps. I left the studio without finishing. I forgot about the song. They called months later and said Ludcaris wanted the song. He got it and put Nicki Minaj on it. The song took off. I also wrote “I Do” for Twista and I worked on a song for Mindless Behavior.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming hip-hop writers and emcees?
My advice is that work ethic is the most important thing. You have to believe in yourself. Every song must be better than the last song you made.
