Artist Information

Many words can descibe ILLZ. A Chicago born emcee who has a distinct razor sharp style that is laiden with prolific word play. Quick punchlines or immensely deep thought provoking story telling can be found throughout his upcoming cd release. A product of his environment, ILLZ stays true to the roots that makes him the artist he is today. Raised in the rough south suburbs of Chicago gave this emcee his canvas paint his vivid verbal word play using ink to convey his artistic thought patterns to the world. The world must brace itself for the coming of the next big thing. The world must prepare itself for ILLZ!

TM: How does your music fit into the ever changing face of Hip Hop?
ILLZ: My music is what I like to call "all area". Meaning I have something for everyone to listen to. I've experienced so many things that I can relate to a lot of different people, that is reflected in my music.

TM: It seems that it's been really hard for the midwest to get the kind of hold on hip hop that the east coast, west coast, and even the south has experienced. With the emergence of Kanye West, and so much talent in Chicago, do you think it's finally time for artists in this area to dominate the charts?
ILLZ: Definitely, the world has been sleep on Chicago for a long time and Kanye was like a big ass alarm clock to them, now it's our time.

TM: How has the response been to your CD so far?
ILLZ: Very positive, people say its different and a fresh sound so that's always a good thing.

TM: What impact do you want to make on hip hop?
ILLZ: I hope to help to bring Hip Hop back to real lyrics and real MCing. I want to be brought up int he conversation about who help Hip Hop back around and away from all this commercial shit.

TM: Any future plans for future collaborations with other Chicago artists?
ILLZ: I have already worked with Kwiet Storm and some other underground artist from the Chi, but as for right no, no.

TM: What producer or artist do you want to work with the most?
ILLZ: Kanye West, definitely.

TM: A lot of hip hop artists move into so many different aspects of the entertainment industry, do you have those dreams also?
ILLZ: No, I'm really all about the music right now.

TM: Do you think hip hop gets an unfair rep for being to negative or violent?
ILLZ: Hip Hop is always going to be scrutinized and made into a scapegoat for all sorts of things, violence included, however so is every other type of music so you have to take the bitter with the sweet.

TM: Have you had the opportunity to go out on tour yet?
ILLZ: Not yet, I am preparing to go to Boston and Jacksonville Florida in November. Boston will be the first place that I have performed outside of Chicago.

TM: Who inspired you most to pursue a career in music?
ILLZ: No one really inspired me; Hip Hop is just in my heart so I gotta follow my soul.

For more information about Illz, please check out his official site: http://www.toolshedmusic.com