The hottest rapper you haven’t heard of… yet
Today we’d like to introduce you to Signature illi.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
I am 27 year old Indian hip-hop artist from Chicago. I create new age, electrifying, and melodic songs that are changing the vibrations in the hip-hop industry today. I came from a family of hustlers who believed in me enough to do what I wanted to do. From a young age, I made my own money and got it done by any means on my own. When I was 21, I took the money I had saved and bought a Wingstop Franchise and the rest is history. My restaurant funded and is still currently funding my music career and fueling my passion for music. All the long nights driving to the store 2 hours back and forth to make sure the store is running efficiently, and then drive back to Chicago to write songs and make new beats. I believe heavily that all the long nights and hard times will pay off. I am a firm believer in making sure all the people around me are successful and eat with me. It has been 3 year since I have started making music, and in that 3 years I have amassed millions of streams from around the world without any label or big name backing me. Still got a long way to do, but loving every minute of it.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Between driving for hours and hours, besides music, dealing with wingstop and literally running a whole business while I manage time on making and releasing music, videos, and content. I have had a lot of personal problems with the relationships in my life whether it’s fining fake people in my circle, or people not believing in my craft and having façade attitudes. It has been tough running around and making sure everyone is good and then making sure I am also good with the scraps of time I have available. Between driving for 5 hours daily, dealing with people management, and business, and then also making just as much time for music has driven me towards the edge multiple times, but I know it will be worth it at the end. I had to overcome bad relations, personal vices, and health and drug addictions to break past my ceiling and to accelerate into the stars where I am destined to be.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I make fire music for the masses. Besides making my own beats, writing my songs, and funding my entire career in music, I am very versatile and can work with any artist, any genre, and any vibe they are trying to create. Not only can I bring my Indian roots into the music, but I can also introduce many artists to the 1.2 billion Indian fan base. I specialize in sounds no one has heard before and fresh, fun, catchy lyrics that aren’t recycled like usual stuff being put out into the airwaves. Every song or sound I create is handmade and a direct correlation to what I am feeling and how my music is created with my soul intact.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
My best piece of advice is believe when no one is believing and keep on pushing no matter what the people in your life tell you or want you to believe. Every dog has his day and if you really have passion for this and believe heavy enough, you will have your day to shine too. Don’t chase the money. Invest in you and your dreams and prosperity will find you.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success is what you make it. Many people have misconceptions of the term success. People usually connect the word success with money, but in my opinion that’s not true. Success is what you make it and no matter what the income is, if you’re happy doing what you’re passionate about, then you are successful more than you know.
What’s next for you?
Continuing to grow my fanbase and work with many artists that I not only enjoy listening too, but also artists I will create magic with. My new projects, videos, and songs involve a few of the biggest artists in the industry today. I will continue to drop amazing music for the masses and will never stop until I am content and the world is content with my moves and my music.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
My music is on 300 platforms worldwide and all of my songs can be streamed for free at signatureilli.com
I am also on all social media platforms (@signatureilli)
snapchat (illynois)
Stay tuned, this is just getting started.