The Maryland pioneer reflects on creativity, where he’s been, and where he’s going
In an underground-centered rap discussion, it would be an injustice to leave out the name Lil Xelly. Unlike the majority of “SoundCloud rappers” (a term which he has publicly denounced in the past), Xelly has always been a trailblazer. With that, comes a particular level of fearlessness. He has never been shy about embracing originality, which can be found in the array of styles he has tackled over the years. Alongside his individuality is an unmatched work ethic and outstanding level of output. This is what set him apart from the masses while creating a cult-like following, which has only grown larger since his collaborations with big names like Yung Gleesh and A$AP Ant.
Xelly first cemented this reputation at the tail end of 2017, when he dropped More Xelly, a whopping compilation of 105 songs. As artists around him were dropping singles periodically, a strategy like this was unheard of. This started an avalanche of music. People began to compare him to the likes of Lil B, whose routinely massive song-dumps became a character trait. But Xelly’s approach has never been the same as Lil B’s — there’s oftentimes more direction to it. Just compare the sounds of his latest album Side Effects to that of his recent EP, lone**w0lf. He constantly blurs the lines and enthusiastically explores new sonic territories. We spoke with the 21-year old Rockville rapper to learn more about the method behind his madness, what he’s been up to, and what he’s got in store for the future.
What motivated you to start making music?
Honestly, around 2016 I was inspired by a whole bunch of artists making music on SoundCloud. I was always making music before, but I was more inspired to go hard and actually put the shit out. I just had to take it serious at that point. I was inspiring myself to keep going, get in the studio everyday and make music.
You’ve been widely renowned for your sizable releases in the past like More Xelly with 105 songs. You also have a reputation for consistently releasing new music. What’s the philosophy behind this?
In my head, I was like, “Why not drop this shit? And then make more beautiful music?” Because I know I can. I just had to show people what I can do. At that time, it was like, make a whole bunch of tapes. But they’re all fire. In that short amount of time I was in the studio everyday working. And I was writing the songs so it was coming to me. It was natural. And I made it a thing where I dropped one tape, and kept it going. I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t just drop one tape and go ghost. Then they’d be like, “what happened to me?” I can’t have it like that. Motherfuckers can’t ignore me. They’re gonna see me regardless.
What was it like working with Yung Gleesh? That’s an iconic link up.
When he hit me up, I was shocked. That was one of my favorite rappers growing up in middle school. When we linked up and got in the studio, I felt like I had to take this shit to another level. I’m definitely trying to make a collab tape with him. Before 2020 is over, I’m trying to put something out. That shit is gonna go crazy.
How involved are you with the local DMV scene?
I’m a little bit in tune with it, but I’m not that in tune with it. I gotta remember like, I fuck with [these artists’] music, and I fuck with what they do heavy, but I don’t really make that type of music. I try to stay away from that shit, as far as I can. I wanna keep making the music I’ve been making. Because it kind of rubbed off on me a little bit at first. I’m on my Xelly shit.
A month ago you released the tape Xelly’s World 2. You just released lone**w0lf and stss vol. 1 within a span of 4 days. Are you back dropping super consistent again? I know you took a small break.
Yeah, I’m back. I’m getting in the studio everyday if I can. I try to make a tape every day before I leave. Right now, I’m just stacking up music. Just picking out the right songs. I can drop any day though. I want to drop shit with some substance. No matter how fast I drop it, I still want it to have substance.
What’s your creative process like?
I used to write, which I like doing more than anything because it’s easier that way. Usually I just go into the studio and one take, punch in and go until I stop. I’m definitely gonna start writing again though. That shit’s gonna be crazy. I gotta take my time writing this shit. Can’t force it, can’t rush it. Just go with the flow.
Everybody knows you’ve always had an ear for beats. You’ve built sounds with a wide range of producers like NoirBrent, Sparkheem, and others over the years. How do you go about picking your production nowadays?
When I go through beats it’s about how the beat makes me feel. It’s not about how it sounds or the 808’s. It’s about, “can I really talk some shit on this, and make it fire?” I feel like NoirBrent brought that to me. And it was on some rapping shit, I wasn’t even spitting spitting. I need to go back to working with the certain producers I was working with too. That’s the sound I’m going for. But I like working with everybody, because I have worked with everybody. I’ve been doing that shit. Making tapes with everybody. It’s really just practice.
Looking back on your older projects like #LUCKYCHARMS3, how would you describe the evolution of your sound since then?
Since then, I feel like I actually know what I want to sound like now, and what I want to do. But, that music there is timeless. I’m trying to go back to the timeless shit. I need to make music I can listen to forever. I feel like I evolved though. I’m more comfortable in the studio now. I move different. Sometimes I see people getting discouraged. But, I can’t give up in this shit. I’m evolving into something bigger and better.
Where do you get your inspiration from? What keeps you going?
I honestly get my inspiration from being in the house. And being where I’m from, because I don’t wanna be here [laughs]. So I gotta remind myself of that everyday, that I don’t wanna be out here, and I just do better for myself. That’s all it takes for me. I inspire myself for real. I don’t need anybody to do that shit for me.
What’s next for Lil Xelly?
The future’s looking bright for me man. That’s all I’m gonna say. Next year, we gonna be rich! Whether it’s rap or not, I’m gonna be rich. Honestly, what’s next for me, I’m just gonna keep dropping music, making my money, and staying out the way. I want them to be ready for when that shit comes. I got a whole bunch of shit on the way. I got tapes with a whole bunch of rappers. And I’m getting back in my groove. I’m back on my shit. I wanna be in the studio everyday, if I can. I’m not doing anything else. Nothing else is gonna get me out of here.
Since the time this interview was conducted, Xelly released ANOTHER project — pb n ##xelly. Check it out below.