The Neilaworld founder discusses his contribution to Lil Pump’s seminal work, the dynamics of his collective, and his faith in mushrooms
As I sit in my small room in New York, I notice the air is cooler than usual—71 degrees, as opposed to the usual gruesome heat I’m used to feeling upon waking up. But the heat remains static in South Carolina, FadedBlackid’s home state. The sought after producer has credits with 03 Greedo, Lil Uzi Vert, and Lil Pump under his belt. Beyond contributing to Pump’s viral debut album, he started the wildly successful collective Neilaworld. He tells me to call him whenever, but when I do, it goes right to voicemail. He texts me that he is picking up weed and that he will call me in 20 minutes, which, in accordance with life as an in-demand artist, turns into an hour and a half.
I decide that before we get into the more intricate questions, I will start with something simple, but much needed in current times: “How are you?” Fortunately, he is well and is spending the day hanging with his cousin and one of his boys. He keeps his circle tight. “Especially now, because so much is going on, I’d rather stick with the people I already deal with,” he says. As our conversation moves along, I start to pick up on his energy. While he is initially as faded as his name would suggest, his attitude is positive. As I ask him to describe his identity, the producer really comes alive.
Who would you say is FBK?
A creator. I wouldn’t say I’m a genius. I’m real smart about a lot of the stuff I be doing. I like to create a lot of stuff, even beyond music. I want to do everything.
First time I heard your music was in 2017 on “What You Gotta Say” by Lil Pump and Smokepurpp. I remember listening to that song all the time in the car.
Really? That’s hard.
Were you in the studio with Pump and Purpp?
Shoutout Hollow, he gave me their email. I knew who they was. I sent that beat randomly not even thinking a song would actually happen. I got an email back saying the beat got used and a couple months later I was in the studio and got a text that it was on an album.
That’s incredible. If I’m not mistaken, you’re the founder of Neilaworld?
I originally made it in 2016, yeah. I’m the founder of it, but I’m not the dictator or whatever.
It seems like you are all equals.
That’s exactly how it is. End of the day, it’s better than one person dictating everything. If there’s a dictator, there will be conflict.
What made you want to start your own collective of creatives?
Where I was living, not everyone was into what I was into. I was getting into the underground, I found like-minded people and we linked up. That’s how it all started.
Neilaworld is credited as producers for Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Tracy, XXXTentacion, Yung Bans, Ski Mask the Slump God, Famous Dex, Xavier Wulf, WifisFuneral, Lil Xan, and much more.
Placement wise, who are you most proud of?
I don’t be caring, honestly. I like it better when I work with an artist before they blow up. Shows I tapped in beforehand. I want to go mainstream, but I prefer to work with an artist that blows up after I’ve been working with them.
Do you have a dream placement?
Carti. The simplicity of my production and the melodies, it’s just something he could easily slide on. What’s your favorite song I’ve produced by the way?
“gravey44rd” off of your tape with David Shawty, Grave Angel.
That shit’s classic, though.
Did you guys know you were making an EP or did it just work out like that?
I wanted to work with him and he asked for some beats.
I feel like you work together so well because your production and his vocals are both abstract in their own right. The first thing I noticed about your production is how much it sticks out. The choice of sounds you use all sound really manipulated and crazy. What made you decide to produce like that?
It comes from me just fucking with outer space shit and a darker influence on the trap sound. I’d have to say Metro Boomin’s sound really inspired me. I try and blend the weirdest sounds but make it one big thing.
Your song with Lil Turbo, “Wassup.” That beat is crazy. It’s like a bunch of tropical island mallets.
I made that shit in five minutes at Hollow’s crib!
The best beats tend to be made in five minutes.
On god. That’s how you know it’s hard. You don’t got to think twice about it.
Does South Carolina have anything to do with your sound?
A lot of my new beats you can hear the South Carolina in them. The bounce, the vibe. That is blowing up now. It takes a while for the underground there to break through.
All the cover art that you use is very trippy. Do you have any psychedelic experiences?
Not acid, but shrooms. It’s funny you say that about the cover art. That’s what I want the person on my page to notice. You want to see what the song is all about because the cover art is so crazy.
Yeah, that’s what got me to click, honestly. Do you want to talk about your shroom trips at all? Anything significant?
They showed me the way. Revealed some shit. I feel it can help with anxiety.
What do you think the future is for FBK and Neilaworld?
I’m locked back in. I’m going to start working on my tape. It’s probably going to drop next year—my beats with different artists on it. Neilaworld gonna keep going crazy. We a lot more inspired by each other. We gonna build it up to the next best thing possible.