AKNB Artist Watch: The Illz
In the first installment of my “Artist Watch” series, I got familiar wit New Jersey-based artist “The Illz.” We spoke about everything from the origins of his name to his family’s involvement and support of his music. Ultimately, I found the homie to be a pretty cool cat with even better music. Below, I have his recent mixtapes including The Pursuit LP and This is… to get you up to date with his music and progress.
Click “Read More” for the interview,
A Kid Named B
The Illz – The Pursuit LP (Presented by 2 Dope Boyz X DJ Booth.net)
The Illz – This is…(The W.C.A Sessions EP)
****My Questions are in Bold and the answers are in italics****
Where’d the name “The Illz” come from?
I was sitting in Math class one day back when I was in high school. I hated math lol. So I decided to take out that time to pick a rap name for myself. I came across the word ILLICIT and decided to go under that name. After that people would always call me ILLZ for short so I just stuck with it and then added the THE to it after I got into Alternative music heavily around the summer of 09’.
When did you know you wanted to persue music as an artist?
I think it was around the age of 16 when I created my first Demo Tape and the Engineer from the session sent it to some people that were starting an independent Label around our way in Jersey, that’s actually how I met my producer ILLtal. So at 16 it was serious but when the summer of 05’ came and my parents moved to Miami, I stayed back and moved into a one bedroom apartment. That’s when I knew, that this is what I wanted to do with my life.
When did you get your start? (give me the story)
I started rapping in general around the age of 12 just recording these 12 second rap songs on Windows Sound Recorder in my boys house. I didn’t have a computer back then so I would always go to his crib and we’d download tons of instrumentals on Napster and just play them in the background while we rapped our verses. First we all did it for fun but as time went by I was the only one that actually really had a genuine love for it and kept at it. Then we figured out how to extend the recording time to minutes and that’s when I was REALLY going in lol. It came to a point when my boys were getting tired of it so I begged my mother to buy a computer and I got a little Hewlitt Packard joint and would just make madd songs on it.
Who are you biggest influences as far as the hip-hop/rap scene?
Nas is my favorite rapper, Jay-Z is the greatest, Big and Pac are on a completely other level as far as legendary goes. I was MADDLY into Wu-Tang and K-Os, still am. But I was also deep into the whole Queens hip-hop sound like Cormega, AZ, and Mobb Deep. I don’t know as far as influence but obviously being Hispanic Pun and Fat Joe were rappers I always looked up to. Honestly there are too many influences to name. I am a fan first.
I see that you are of Latin descent. How has that played out for you?
Musically it really doesn’t play out. I am very proud to be Latin/Hispanic/Dominican all of that lol. As far as my personality I definitely rep that aspect of it, I listen to A LOT of Spanish food, love our culture, our food, EVERYTHING. I am very proud of where I come from. I am also part Syrian (Arabic) but to be honest with you I don’t know much of that part of my background. I plan to learn a lot though in the future.
What would you say to those who may refer to you has the new Big Pun (minus the weight)?
LOL Wow! Well those shoes are too big for me to fill, I would feel uncomfortable and I don’t see how someone can listen to my music and say that. It completely different from what Pun used to do. Honestly, I would say Joell Ortiz is the closest comparison to Pun that we have out there. Both are lyrical murderers man lol they go in. Pun ofcourse is a legend though and as a Latin artist you have to respect the doors that he opened up for us.
Get the fans familiar with your music (what have you done)
On June 29th of 2009 I released my first project which is entitled “This is…(The W.C.A. Sessions EP)”. During that summer I was heavily influenced by Alternative music so I was planning to release a full project of Alternative style Hip-Hop titled “What Comes After”. The songs I put on that EP were songs that weren’t going to make the final version of WCA so I felt it was good to have something out there before I drop anything major. Eventually WCA turned into what would be my first full length release. On December 15, 2009 I dropped The Pursuit LP which was presented by 2DopeBoyz and DJBooth.net. You can download both projects on my website www.TheILLZ.com.
Who would you want to work with in the future?
I would love to work with artists and producers like K-Os, Andy Kato, Telepopmusik, Rachel Foster, God is an Astronaut, Fenech-Soler, The Atomica Project, Bent, UNKLE, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nas …honestly I will be here all day lol.
With music, how supportive has your family been? (I know how much of a dream killer family members can be at times)
My family rides with me 100% and that’s because they really believe. They always look out for anything I got online (i.e. interviews, videos, songs) and they really feel like I have what it takes. My mother has always been behind me since day one but ever since we got things rolling and my family sees what I’m doing, after taking out time to listen and watch some of my videos they really genuinely believe that I have what it takes to do this.
Do any of your family members come out to your shows.
Well they haven’t come out yet, my family is all over I don’t really have too much family in Jersey but for the shows I’ll be having in the near future they are definitely looking forward to come out.
So what’s next? (any collaborations to look out for, Emillio Rojas maybe?)
What’s next is my second full length project; The Definition Of. Its complete and I’m actually going into the studio now to do my first session. I really believe like this is it. People are going to be pleasantly surprised by this project. It’s called The Definition Of because it wholeheartedly defines me not only musically but as a person as well. I believe after listening to this record you will technically know me as a person. The Pursuit LP was a conceptually dark and trip-hop-ish kind of project. It was very one-sided as far as the music. That was done purposely, but now its time for me to really spread my wings in a way and really show the spectrum of my sound.
What advice would you give to the future artists of the world?
Never give up. Never stop getting better and don’t listen to any negativity. You really have to keep your mind closed to anything negative. Work on your craft constantly, develop a plan, aim as high as you can, and work the hell out of that plan. But most importantly, don’t ever let anybody tell you that you can’t do it. Be persistent, motivated, focused and goal oriented. That’s it!
How do you feel about the current state of the music industry?
I love it! I feel like there’s a lot of fresh blood and music now. Shouts to Drake, J. Cole, Dom Kennedy, Theophilus London, Asher Roth and TONS of other new artists that are out there really killing it making real motivational music man. I think it can only get better!
Is getting a record deal really worth it anymore?
It’s not necessary but I would say it is worth it. We’re in a day and age where labels don’t have full control of who’s hot. Nowadays if you drop a crazy hot tape on the net and the fans get a hold of it you can really do some damage and call some shots on a major deal. You can do without it however there’s nothing like having the machine of the major’s behind you!
Are you shooting for a deal?
I have an independent deal on the table now but I definitely want to go major. I just feel like I can do so much more and I think by the time I get to sign a major deal I’ll be in a position where I can have some sort of leverage. That’s important.
Which label would you most like to be signed to?
To be honest with you, it would be a toss up between Roc Nation and G.O.O.D. Music. I would lean more towards G.O.O.D. Music, I just fell like that label is TRULY about just making Good Music lol and having Ye riding with you is priceless, as is having Jay riding with you lol.
What’s been the most memorable thing that’s happened at a show?
I don’t think I have a crazy story yet lol. I think the most memorable aspect of shows for me right now is just the crowd’s reaction and the comments I receive from fans and the crowd after my performances. Apart from that I would say performing at Highline Ballroom with a live band was a very memorable moment for me. A lot of legendary artists have touched that stage.
If you could do it all again what would you change?
NOTHING! The way things have happened is the way it was meant to happen. A lot of struggling is good. It makes the reward that much sweeter!
Let the fans know who has the illest college blog out there.
AKidNamedB.com All day EVERYDAY!!!!!! Haha!
[...] you’re not familiar with The ILLZ, make sure you peep the interview I did with him in June of 2010, Needless to say since then he’s been busy. This month The ILLZ and Kristopher Rey-Talley [...]