Discover: Chicago's Very Own, Illa Ills

What make the City of Chicago, incomparable, to any city in the country?

You got the buildings, landmarks, food, the loyal citizens. The drive headed Downtown, on the "Kennedy", the " Ike", or the "Stevenson", giving full views of the architecturely-balanced skyline that offers a stunning glimpse of beauty that will uncontrollably force you to take a deep breath.

Each of the citizens roam through these streets, choosing how to consume and capture on those breaths. With a purpose, for a reason, with a passion. It could be an engineer, a stockbroker, a college student, or a teacher. Then, comes my favorite. The Hungry Artist.

The Hungry Artist is what makes this city, simply, unique. Folks that travel far to be apart of the scene or the ones born and raised here. You have inspiring architects, painters, actors, and models. But then again, I have another favorite. The Musicians.

To pick out of all the genres, I will have to admit, my choice is Hip-Hop. Although, I do respect the endless list of genres Chicago has to offer. Either way, I always find that, being loaded with a beat and notepad, and strapped with a pen, the people have the capability of writing lethal, poetic justice.

One of these artists, dubbed "Illa Ills", happens to be one of the many artists in Chicago, taking that breath. Though, his plans on capiltizing on his breath is through laying down rhymes on a old-school beat. Otherwise known as Boombap. Speaking his story and his ambitions, dreams, and passion of one day, being a competing artist in the Hip-Hop genre of today's music. I respect this artist even more. Even, if the money and fame were bestowed upon him, none of it could manage to break his constration of doing what he knows and loves the most. Making a fresh, dope track.

I had to have one-on-one with this artist. I had to pick at the inner-workings of a young artist on the rise. This here, is 10 questions with "Illa Ills".

UTT: So, take me back. When and where was your first musical interest, or action, that has set you on your course for a music artists path?

I.I: Had to be around 2011, I was working in the mail room with this cat from Flint Michigan name Baybro. We used to kick off to freestyles in the back room where we worked at and one day just told me all this at the studio so I think we met up that weekend to check out the studio the next day he went in and recorded a few tracks and after that that's when I really kind of took the music seriously.

UTT. Is any of your family musically inclined or are your the first of the kind in your family?

I.I: Well my father actually sings at our church he's been doing it for a few years now actually he's always been like a vocalist in the family honestly, he should've took it to another level. He's a real soulful person. My older brothers actually Emcee is well and also Producer he currently resides in California so he's doing that you know that's I jumped on rapping after he left Chicago which is kind of odd.

UTT: What puts you in the hip hop category? You obviously have influences. So name those people that made your dream more visionable?

I.I: I have to say my influences our common Lupe, MF DOOM, Murs, Guru, Nas,& KRS one among many other emcees that keep me wanting to continue the art of hip-hop.

UTT: What was the first cut (album) that you bought? How does it reside with you today and has been apart of your appearance? Do you embrace it and share it with other? Thru pics or lyrics?

I.I: To be honest with you I do not remember the first album I bought but I think food and liquor was one of the first albums I actually appreciated as a body of work before that I was into hip-hop no doubt but I anticipated Lupe fiasco first album so much and when I heard it I was not disappointed whatsoever. One of the albums that I do share a lot has to be like Madvillainy I'm a huge fan of the album a lot of people look at me like I'm crazy but that's one of my most favorite albums ever.

UTT: What are your takes on getting your name heard in Chicago with many, many artists all chasing this same thing? Even when someone who is speaking and spitting real truth in lyrics, and then, Bam!, another fool be on the radio, Talking about the many things that tears our streets apart? (Guns, violence, heroin)

I.I: I try to separate myself from being the Chicago Art is just trying to be an artist that represents myself as much as I love my city and I will write my city don't give me wrong I'm just not really worried about trying to be the next big thing out of Chicago I'm just trying to make my music. I want to call them a full I'll probably just call a misguided home yet understand people grow up in these conditions you know I was blessed enough to have parents to take us out of those conditions. You got understand who runs the radio on these people don't really want to see us prosper you know they're going to put the negative poison on the radio because his sells don't know why but it sells

UTT: What do you do and plan to do, to show the world, the real Illa Ills?

I.I: I can only be myself  and People are going to like whatever they like so for me to call something garbage hey one man's trash is another man's treasure that's all I got to say lol

UTT: What are your plans to breaking ground and spreading your voice in all parts of this country and even across seas?

I.I: I just need everybody that supports my music to just keep sharing it to every friend that they know is a hip-hop head or every person they see that might like hip hop and want to discover new artist, you know just share a video share my website  that's all I'm asking, i've actually been overseas and I've done a show. its beautiful feeling to actually live your dream and I want it to continue for me and more inspiring Emcee's as well

UTT: What are the goals, homie? Who do you know your gonna work with? Artists, producers, label?...

I.I: When it comes to produces I would love to work with Pete rock DJ Premier Q-tip or just the tribe in general. No ID as well. On my bucket list has to be madlib and MF DOOM though thats like my main goal.

UTT: What's life like for you today? Are you in school? You working jobs? Are you fighting against any odds in getting ur voice heard?

I.I: Life is life I'm currently in the school life trying to learn as much as i can. Currently just working and maintaining hoping to start my own biz.

UTT: Any upcoming material you plan on releasing?

I.I: Nasty Boom video is in the works. Currently just writing and recording music for you guys to jam to.

UTT: What are your favorite quotes? What is the quote motivating your hustle in the music game?

I.I: To be honest i dont have any favorite quotes, my motivation is the world around me. God family and friends.

For more on Illa Ills, Check him out on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/illaills
Follow him on Twitter @illa_ills
Don't forget to visit www.illaills.com
Also, on YouTube. A quick cypher will take you in the flow of Illa Ills.