Lil Playy is putting Houston, Texas back on the map with hits like “Birthday Dress” and “B.B.M.”
GlobalGrind caught up with the rap newcomer to chit-chat with him about his forthcoming album, his mentor Rodney Jerkins, his celebrity crush on Rihanna, and his take on Ludacris dissing Drake and Big Sean.
Check out our exclusive interview below!
GlobalGrind: What is the inspiration behind your music?
Lil Playy: My hometown and my people. Everybody that I’m around inspires me to do a lot stuff that I rap about.
If you could work with anybody, who would you want to work with?
Urban wise, I’ll say Kanye West. And pop wise, I’d say Taylor Swift.
Why Taylor?
Because it’d be something different for the both of us. She’s dope and she’s country. I’m country as hell too.
Who are some of the people who have inspired you musically?
Ludacris. He’s real dope. And my producer, I’m signed to him, Rodney Jerkins. He inspired me a lot. When I first came to him, I was not doing pop or rhythmic records. I was doing straight Houston stuff. And he got me out of that. That’s why we’re doing “Birthday Dress.”
Was that a hard transition?
Nah, it wasn’t even hard. He basically just forced me into it. He put on them beats and wouldn’t put on any urban beats for me. It was just pop beats. So I just started rapping to them.
What do you think about the Ludacris diss to Drake and Big Sean?
I don’t know. They’re grown men, so I don’t know what that’s all about. But, Ludacris is very dope and he’s an O.G. So I wouldn’t even try to disrespect Ludacris. That’s just something you don’t do. That’s like slapping your grandpa in the face.
Do you feel like all the rappers are trying to be the best and while they’re doing that they’re slapping each other down?
Yeah, that’s when you mess up. I’m just rapping. And I’m tryna make good music and bring Texas in as a whole. Because Dallas and Houston…there’s a lot of tension between the two.
If you were on a deserted island and you could only bring three albums with you, what would they be?
I’d bring Lil Flip’s Leprechaun, Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter I, and my mixtape Tour Bus Music.
So is Tha Carter I your favorite of all the Carters?
Yeah. I like all the old Wayne. No auto-tune. Just spitting.
What three wishes would you ask for?
For three more wishes first. An unlimited credit card where you don’t have to pay it back, that basically would grant all my wishes.
What would you buy?
You know once you’re the only one in your family who makes it, everybody comes to you. So I’d be like, ‘Y’all go get everything you want and don’t mess with me anymore.’
Who do you think are your top five rappers of all time?
2Pac, Biggie, Curren$y. Ludacris and Kanye.
How would you describe your taste in music?
I say it’s Houston with a little melodic feel to it. It’s real catchy and relatable.
Tell us about Texas and how you grew up.
I grew up in Missouri City, Texas and moved to Baytown, Texas. I had no one there to help me musically, so I moved to Atlanta when I was 16. My pops put me with a lot of producers and I recorded my first few records. We performed at a place called The Peacock downtown. That’s where my management found me and sent me to L.A. to meet with Suzanne De Passe. She’s the co-founder of Michael Jackson. I performed for her and she signed me. She took me to Rodney Jerkins that next morning, performed for him, and he signed me. We recorded a whole lot of records. We took them to Jimmy Iovine and he heard “Birthday Dress” and was said ‘Yes! Let’s take off with this.’
Did you think ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening?’
Yeah. I signed out of college so fast. I had to get out. I dipped.
What did you major in?
Music business and communications. I learned a lot doing it though.
Do you have any celebrity crushes?
Rihanna is bad as hell. I think it’s her attitude. I like attitude. I like Melissa Ford, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Rowland – that’s my boo.
When are you working on your album?
I’m working on it now. We’re just putting everything on the table and seeing what we’re missing and what we need.
When can your fans expect that?
Probably first quarter of next year.
How did you come up with your name Lil Playy?
My personality. I’m a jokester.
What’s the best prank you’ve ever pulled on somebody?
When my cousin was asleep, I filled his mouth up with syrup. When he woke up, his mouth was dry, sticky…it was bad.
Did he get you back?
No, no one ever gets me back. I’m a jokester, so I know how to prevent all of that. My doors are locked so people can’t get in. And when I am asleep, I wake up fast.
How many tattoos do you have?
I lost count.
What was your first tattoo?
On my shoulder and it’s prayer hands with the mic inside. It says “My future is in God’s hands.” My first one at 16.
Did your parents let you get that?
My mom did.
Is there any tattoos that you regret?
No. I can explain every single one of them. Every one has a meaning.
Is there anything you want to let your fans know?
Just the Twitter, Facebook, and the web site. I’m on there almost every week chatting with fans.
