Independent artist and Southern rap influencer, Chilly Chills is giving us a taste of real Atlanta Hip-hop. He’s been co-signed by Outkast and Kanye West and plans to live up to the high expectations of these Hip-hop legends.
With all of the noise of new style Hip-hop in Atlanta, it’s difficult for artists to stick out. But Chilly Chills is bringing a unique, but familiar sound back to the A. He uses the phrase “sophisticated ignorance” to describe himself and what his music portrays. “I’m tricking the mainstream market into knowledge. I’m tricking my people into going back to values,” said Chills.
His influences include Michael Jackson, James Brown and the O’Jays. He’s inspired by the Doo-Wop dances and music that gave us many hits and legends from the 1940s to the 1960s. Chills was intrigued by music as a young kid, growing up listening to Funk, old R&B and early Hip-hop music. He wanted to learn more about what makes people love their favorite songs and since then he’s been on a journey to figure that out.
Chills grew up in Mechanicsville, the heart of Atlanta. He began writing poetry and eventually put his lyrics to a beat. He takes his experiences growing up in this infamous city and uses metaphors to create stories that become songs. He brings back the Poetry to Rhythm and Poetry.
After graduating early from high school, Chills attended college in Alabama for a year and a half. Although he didn’t finish school, he attributes his open-mindedness to his experiences there. He decided then that he was determined to build himself and his community up to reach a higher standard. He participated in the anti-tobacco campaign, Fresh Minds to inspire the youth to be tobacco-free.
In 2015, he released his EP, Dope EP, hosted by Atlanta’s-own DJ Greg Street. The EP features 9 songs that give his fans a taste of life growing up in Mechanicsville. He holds nothing back in his music and his vulnerability helps him spread sincerity to everyone listening.
Chills has performed at SXSW, A3C and has opened up for rapper J. Cole. This year he’s touring around Atlanta and plans to make his return to A3C in October. He’ll make his A3C appearance at Stankonia’s Spaceships on Edgewood where he’ll get the chance to present the new sound of Atlanta.
Appearances:
Stankonia presents: Spaceships on Edgewood
Thursday October 6th @ 6:00 PM
Space2 (Old 4th Ward)