iLL DiLL Tha ViLL (Philadelphia, PA) – Q&A Interview
Tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from? How long have you been making Hip Hop?
Born and raised in “You’ve-Never-Heard-Of-It”, Pennsylvania, I am iLL DiLL Tha ViLL. Currently, I’m a student at Temple University of Philly, PA, studying Strategic Communications. I started writing when I was 17, but didn’t record anything until I graduated High School. Some say I got a late start, I just see it as God’s timing. By the time I was recording my sounds I was a more mature and dedicated individual, which helped me with a better first impression and continues to aid in how influential I am to listeners.
What influences you in making Hip Hop?
What influences a painter to paint? What drives a singer to sing? What makes an engineer want to build skyscrapers? Every form of artist is driven by that omnipresent force telling them “this is what you were created to do.” That force alone is my major influence. In addition, I’ve always said that I’m motivated by looking at what I would hate to become. Seeing the world and what I can’t stand about it influences greatly the content and delivery of my music.
Describe your music, and what separates you from other MCs?
No matter what song of mine you listen to, they all have that “ughmfff” to em’ ya know? The emotion is so prevalent, it just defines your whole vibe. I don’t base my persona off of an egotistical supercharged version of myself. Most artists do this in an effort to convince their audience they are worthy of praise. I spit what I feel, what I live, and what I know. I portray myself exactly as I see myself, that way listeners get to know me on the most intimate level. My honesty and humbleness are what give me validity with my fan base.
Who have you collaborated with? Who would you like to collab with in the near future?
Some of my standout collabs include Maggie Gabbard (i.e. “Open Your Eyes” & “Set The Bar”) and Xap, who is a freakin’ OG in this rap game (i.e. “What I Flow REMIX”). Other collabs include Young Saint, Terp of Low Life Crooks, Konsept, and Tommy iLL Figure. When the time is right, I would love to collab with the Maryland rapper, Logic and also Chicago rapper Vic Mensa. Both MC’s are on the come up in 2014 and I have studied their progression and have the utmost respect for their hustles. Logic is a diverse, energetic artist with a chip on his shoulder. Vic Mensa is a crazy unorthodox spitter with a flow that just never falls off.
Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?
Underground Hip Hop is simply Hip Hop that hasn’t made it to the masses yet. You can have a lot of buzz, but if you aren’t on the radio and have yet to appear on a major TV program, then you are still an underground artist. I think sometimes people confuse failure to promote with underground. I’m sorry but if your own city has no idea who you are, you aren’t underground, you just failed to get your name out there. The resources are there to get your voice heard, artists just need to educate themselves and promote intelligently and network. Once your voice is heard, it is up to the people to decide how long you stay underground.
Production wise, who are your influences? Who does your production? And who would you like to work with?
Icee The Producer is my house producer and we work closely together on each project (i.e. “Burn This City” & “Ego Talkin”). My engineer Kramadik is a huge part of what we do as well and executive produced my most recent project “Small Wins”. My main influences production wise are J. Cole and Dr. Dre. Having produced his entire album independently makes J. Cole a freakin’ idol to me. The way he interacts with his beats to make a solid track is incomparable because he feels every part of the instrumental. And Dre, do I need to clarify? The man is a damn legend internationally and for good reason. His beats are the most live and the fullest I have ever heard to date. I would love a chance to work with these producers, along with the veteran No ID.
Any current or future projects you are promoting?
Feb. 8th, 2014 was my 21st birthday and the release date of my latest project “Small Wins”. You can find it at http://www.illdillthavill.com. It is the first project with my new team (including Icee, Kramadik, and Roger).
Can you give us a brief description of the creative process of your project “Small Wins”? Also/ what was the idea or concept description about your Album/Mixtape Art Cover?
“Small Wins” is the story of a hungry MC desperately trying to get his voice heard, fighting off overzealous skeptics in the process. While writing the tape, I really examined my life and the struggles I deal with as an artist trying to be voiced, but also as a college student and a future husband to my fiance, Ariana (i.e. “Think Of Me”). Each song is unique and tells a different part of my journey to reach the masses, but every track follows the broader guidelines of this energized young rapper from “You’ve-Never-Heard-Of-It”, Pennsylvania. Listen to the first 2 songs, and if you aren’t feeling it then forget my name forever. That’s how confident I am in this project and what we have accomplished as a unit.
Where can we find your music and info?
Everything iLL DiLL related can be found on my official site http://www.illdillthavill.com
Other links:
OTHER SOUNDS: http://www.soundcloud.com/
SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/
BECOME A FAN: http://www.facebook.com/
FOLLOW ME: http://www.twitter.com/
SEE ME UP CLOSE: http://www.instagram.com/
Any shout outs?
Special shout out goes to Roger Hoilman, my father and close consultant with everything music and life related. Having ran a studio for over 20 years, the man is full of wisdom and discernment. Also shout out to my beautiful fiance, Ariana, who sticks with me through thick and thin. Perhaps most importantly, shout out the 610 and to my fellow villains (what my loyal fans cal themselves) who support what I do to the fullest! I love yall!
