Lil He77: The Interview
Atlanta based rapper Lil He77 is here, and he just might be the first (American) brown boy to get it poppin'.
Lil He77’s new song and video Alright is out now. The Right Kind Of Brownies caught up with the artist in Atlanta, Georgia for an exclusive interview.
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How did you get the name Lil He77?
Honestly, I was just sitting in class one day during my junior year of high school and was just typing stuff on Microsoft Word to see what would look cool. I typed in "Lil He77", which is pronounced 'Lil Hell.' However, the two sevens represent angelic numbers, which made the name contradict themselves. A passage between Hell and Heaven.
Where are you from?
I am from Atlanta, Georgia.
How old are you?
18 years old.
What's your earliest memory of music?
My parents have always listened to old Indian Bollywood music. My mom loved singing when I was a kid, and I loved music just as much as her. I wrote my first song around 2nd grade.
What made you want to make music?
Music is an easy way to express myself and communicate my feelings, which is typically hard for me due to my social anxiety. I'd prefer to be alone and ignore all of my problems. However, I find myself speaking and clearing my mind when I am making music.
What do you remember about the first song you made?
The first song I recorded was in my closet, and it was a cover of "Boyz-N-The-Hood" by Easy-E.
Who were your favorite rappers growing up?
J. Cole was one of my favorite rappers growing up. I also enjoyed listening to Tupac, Biggie Smalls, and N.W.A.
Where were you at musically when you made your single 'Spirit of Ecstasy'?
In 11th grade, I began to start struggling in school and getting in trouble. I was in a tough spot in my life, and I always took music seriously, but when I wrote 'Spirit of Ecstasy,' it was the first step in the right direction of finding myself as an artist.
What was the first song you made for your album He77 of a Life?
The first track I made for He77 of a Life was 'Moncler Bomber.' I was in L.A. with some of my closest friends, and while there, we went shopping, and I bought my first Moncler Bomber jacket. I put on the jacket, and the words flowed to my head.
What was the last song you made for your album He77 of a Life?
The last song I made for He77 of a Life was the track ‘T.S.A’.
I made the song when I got back from my trip to New York. While traveling back at the airport, I was stopped by the Transportation Security Administration, something I wasn't unfamiliar with. They swabbed my hands and searched my bag, so I thought it was only fair that they would get a song about them.
What's your writing process?
Nowadays, I just head to the studio, hop in the booth, and just go off the top of my head. However, sometimes I write my music beforehand. I walk around my room while hearing the beat and write what's on my mind.
What is your process when recording music in the studio?
I have a pretty simple routine; just hop in the booth and just start going at it.
What inspires you to make music?
I've always struggled with people in my life. I always tend to have heartbreaks, issues with girls, and people who doubted me. I always see fake people in my life, and they just inspire me to be better and grow bigger than I was before to prove them wrong and show them how much I really am worth.
How do you feel about Atlanta as a city to launch your music career?
I feel as if Atlanta is the best location to be right now for any aspiring artists. Having been raised in Atlanta has helped me respect and understand the culture that this city has.
What's next for you?
I see myself being exactly where I want to be very soon. I have some great singles that will be dropping soon.