Lil Bibby became the latest buzz-worthy rap artist from Chicago after he released his acclaimed debut mixtape, Free Crack, in 2013. His perspective from the streets allowed listeners to view him as more than a typical rapper who delved into street life.
Lil Bibby took his skills to another level and showed growth with the release of Free Crack II. During a recent concert in Atlanta, Lil Bibby spoke with rolling out about Chicago’s street violence and “Free Crack.”
Chicago has been plagued by violence for some years. But has the media exploited the situation?
I don’t think they’re putting everything on the news. I think they’re taking it lightly. It’s a lot of stuff that’s going on than what’s being perceived. It’s a lot of killing going on, a lot of killing. Everybody has guns, there is no money, and people don’t have a way to get legal income. You know people will do anything when they’re broke.
At what point did you realize that you needed to take rap seriously?
I got locked up for some weed or something and I was in the bullpen with some older guys, drug addicts and dope fiends, and they were dope sick and throwing up and boo boing on themselves, it was a lot of dirty guys and stuff like that, a lot of neighborhood street guys. I was just listening them talking and they were arguing in the bullpen, they like, “my block get more money than your block” and arguing over stupid s—, I was just like man what the fuck am I doing in here. I was just thinking I don’t belong in there so I just picked a hobby up. Chief Keef was recently already rapping so he was getting a little famous so I’m listening to their music like,” man I can do this too.”
Break down a few songs from Free Crack II. “Can I Have Your Attention,” what was the concept for that song?
I did that with Bangladesh. He was playing some beats and he put the beat on and I actually freestyled that song. I freestyled the first verse and the hook. So he put the beat on and I just went right into the studio and just laid the hook then I did the verse.
And “Boy,” what’s the concept behind it?
I was in the studio with one of my A&R’s and he’s like a little funny white guy. He was saying you got to make a song with a word that you say all the time, like a Chicago slang word. So I’m like I say ‘boy’ a lot so he’s like make a song called “Boy.”
What’s next for the project?
Next, I’m looking for a single right now so I think I’m going to do another EP. I’ve been shooting a couple of videos off the project so I’m waiting on the joint with Kevin Gates, “We are Strong,” “Boy” with T.I., and the joint “Dead on Prison” is coming out too.
