#WORDSWITHSCOOP Don’t Sleep on Chicago’s Lil Chris

Chris Ward always had the music gene pumping in his veins. A native of Chicago’s West side, as a kid, he was kicked out of elementary school for always rapping in class.

Those early reps was foreshadowing for the novel being written.

After all, just last week he opened up for Chicago legend Lupe Fiasco at the House Of Blues. Ward would go on to finish at another middle school. While there, he also picked up another passion; basketball! He played hoops through high school; until his grades began to slip.

His world changed as he began to turn to the street lifestyle. During that period, he’d also begin to take his rap career seriously. He and his childhood friend, producer, Mush Millions would spit rhymes over beats; thus morphed the lyricist that has been getting buzz in the Chi; Lil Chris.

The doggedness is paying off. Lil Chris has been a trailblazer in the music industry. He’s garnered features in Elevator, The Fader, Rap Genius and Fake Shore Drive. According to Fake Shore Drive’s Andrew Barber, Lil Chris is ‘the most versatile artist in Chicago.’

His pen game is also on fleek. His song writing finesse and ability has been featured on the tracks for multiple artists.

Lil Chris also sunk his teeth into Chicago’s Bop dance craze. Credited to Chicago’s West Side, Lil Chris released bop inspired records like Automatic and Bop Like Me.

Lil Chris is not just known for his bop flow, he’s also released inspirational tracks like Keep Ya Head Up, a track that tells the story of a young girl. Additionally, he released 2 Fake, a cut that addresses all the fake and phony individuals he has encountered.

In 2013, Lil Chris debuted his first solo mixtape, Money Talks, hosted by DJ Moondawg in 2013. The mixtape included 16 tracks and features from other Chicago artists like IL Will and Brick Squad Monopoly’s own BoDeal.

One-third of the Westside group that includes MIC, which also includes Mikey Dollaz and IL Will, the group is putting the K-town area of Chicago’s Westside on the map. They’ve already shared the stage with Yo Gotti, Bone Crusher and Young Buck.

Lil Chris’ EP #ConsciousTrap dropped in September. Be on the lookout for #ConsciousStuggle that is slated for release during the first quarter of next year.

Follow The Brotha On The Gram While You’re At It: @lilchrisktown

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Posted By

Brandon Robinson

Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson is a managing editor and columnist at RESPECT Magazine. Follow him on Twitter: @ScoopB and Instagram: @Scoop_B. As a 12 year old, he was a Nets reporter from 1997-1999, co-hosting a show called Nets Slammin' Planet with former New Jersey Net Albert King and Nets play-by-play man Chris Carrino. He's also been a writer and radio host at CBS and a staff writer at The Source Magazine. He's a graduate of both Eastern University and Hofstra University. You can catch him daily on the Scoop B Radio Podcast. Visit ScoopBRadio.com to listen. For inquiries and to contact Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson visit ScoopB.com