In our latest interview, we caught up with Rob Lyrical to discuss the growth and positive journey he has been on over the years. We talk about his move to LA, his positive mindset, and Idle, his debut project that is still being worked on. Indulge below and make sure to follow Rob on his social media platforms.
Since our first interview together two years ago, it seems very cliche to say, but you’ve grown to be more outspoken and open about the work you’ve been able to create in the industry…
First off I just wanna say thank you to Nipsey Hussle for everything he was and still is for me. Everything he was and still is to the world. Thank you.
After being in the music scene for a bit now and being able to work with bigger name artists, do you feel as if people look at you as if you’ve changed and act differently? And if so, how do you deal with that?
Every day and it weirds me out every time. I haven’t changed personality wise in the least bit, I am growing though. I’ve been putting real work in over these past years and I’m starting to see some tangible success now and some people assumed that it would change me when really I’m just enjoying what my grinding brings. I think it’s more-so projection of what people feel like a person that starts to see a little success begins to act like but like I’ve always stressed, I’m a regular guy, I just make music and like to do cool shit. Which throws people off because there’s a lot of weirdos in the industry especially after a certain point. I don’t feel like success changes you, it just makes you more of what you already were or were afraid to be. So if you were always cool, you’ll just be cool when success comes, if you were always lame, well, you’ll just be a successful lame. Dealing with it is a way to put it I guess. Haha, it really all depends on the day. Sometimes it’s not something that bothers me and other times I feel like I have to prove myself to people when it’s really unnecessary. The people that know me, know me, that’s all that matters at this point. Anybody that’s ever conversed with me knows my personality, they know I’m down to earth. Never have I ever come off as an elitist or like I’m above the next person.
Last year you were able to move to LA, what were you able to learn from moving there and being in a brand new environment for the first time in your life?
More than anything I was able to learn more about myself. What I’m made of, what my limits are for certain things, what my breaking points are for certain things, etc. It also showed me I was doing something right. Like all the stuff I had been prepping for and working at all these years came into play there. It was rough for a period of time though. Trying to figure out how to make money, place ourselves around the right people organically, etc. But once everything started clicking, all the struggles I had felt more than worth it.
After being now in Chicago and LA, do you feel as if it’s worth it for Chicago artists to hit LA to try and get something going?
It really all depends on what you want and what works for you because everything isn’t for everybody. LA is not cheap, and you need real bread to be able to stay long enough to create real lasting relationships and generate any kind of wave. However, LA is a goldmine. If you stay long enough in the right spaces it’s damn near impossible to not see some sort of success. The most complicated part, in my opinion, is making enough money to stay and finding people that are serious and not doing the smoke and mirror shit. EVERYBODY “does something”. Is a CEO, has an artist, is “up next”, etc and that can take you down the wrong route, mostly being associated with niggas not actually doing anything and it’ll waste your time. In LA wasted time could be the difference between you catching that big break or going completely broke. For me personally, LA was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.
How important of a role and friendship has Steve played throughout the years?
Steve has been pivotal to my personal success and the success of Chinza Fly since the beginning. I could speak on it for days but just know without Steve, I definitely wouldn’t have gotten this far not only as a person but as an artist as well. Through the past year though he’s played a major role in every inch of success we’ve seen. Steve and I are very similar when it comes to goals, working, effort, and priorities. So to have a person like that be the other half of the production duo engine makes everything a layup. Plus having another like-minded person pushing in the same exact direction with you with the same fire in his eyes gets you closer to the finish line even faster. At any given moment we’re able to split up and cover more ground in less time. He’s really a blessing and a person I’ll be forever grateful to have met in this lifetime.
While I know you first started talking about your debut project Idle a few years back, is that something that is still something the fans can expect in the near future?
LMAO Man, yeah it’s a thing people can still expect. I had all the tracks lined up, then I brought them out in a few major sessions and the beats got taken. So I’m just waiting for the time to be right. It’s not the right time quite yet.
If you can hold yourself accountable for accomplishing one goal this year, what will that be?
Personal growth. Not pointing the finger at anyone but myself, truly understanding myself, my strengths, my flaws, and how to get better so I can become a better person for not only myself but the people around me. I’ve been going to therapy for the past 7-8 months just to do that. It’s already working.
Written by: Nico Rud
Chicago Creatives 