In a game where authenticity is rare and longevity even rarer, LiL Gang$ta stands as a symbol of both. From his early days rolling with U.T.B. (United Thug Brothaz) to linking with Bay Area legend Rappin’ 4-Tay, and carrying the Outlawz 2nd Generation banner, LiL Gang$ta’s grind has been relentless. With a deep discography, a fiercely independent label (Nuebiené Entertainment, LLC), and the distinction of being the 4th celebrity to launch a cryptocurrency coin, he’s proven time and again that he’s not here to play — he’s here to build.
We caught up with the rapper-entrepreneur to talk about his journey, his collaboration with 4Tay on the track “Picture A N*gga”, and what it means to stay true to your roots in an everchanging game.
LM: Before the fame and the features — who was LiL Gang$ta in the early days?
What sparked the flame to start rapping?
LiL’ Gang$ta: As a child I was always quiet playing video games unless I had a connection with you then I was loud and fun. I lived with my grandparents and they were always listening to music especially my grandmother. My first “mixtape” was made for her with her help of creating the tracklists. I use to make several and she would send them o to her siblings that could a ord or find certain songs. Plus living in Minneapolis is all about music and finding your groove. My Grandma would always say I need to work with Prince he’s a celebrity in our back yard that can help you, but unfortunately it never transpired.
LM: You dropped How I Feel back in 2006 — raw and real. What was life like when you recorded that first mixtape?
LiL’ Gang$ta: Bro talking about 2006 is like jumping back into a time machine. The world of music technology was just beginning and I was trying to take full advantage. I took a cassette player and attached a microphone to it and had a boom box behind me as music and I started rapping track by track. No professional sound, no proper mixing. Then I end up owning FL Studio 3. I used that to record the next album which I titled How I Feel vol.1 even tho it was recorded 2nd.
LM: Who were the artists or voices that molded your sound growing up? Any unexpected influences?
LiL’ Gang$ta: The artists that helped mold me were 2Pac, Bizzy Bone, Eminem, Lil Wayne, B.G., Twista, Brotha Lynch Hung and King Sandman.
LM: You’ve been linked with the Outlawz 2nd Generation — a legacy with deep roots in Tupac’s movement. How did that connection come about, and what does it mean to you personally?
LiL’ Gang$ta: Being linked with 2Pac’s family is a blessing and through 4-Tay Afeni Shakur got to know about me before she left us. It started when I was messaged by 2GO’s agent asking if I would be interested in working with the group after a quick interview. After listening to my track “A I R” they approved of me and we been family ever since.
LM: “Picture A N*gga” with Rappin’ 4-Tay hit hard — both lyrically and emotionally. What was the energy like in the studio when y’all made that track?
LiL’ Gang$ta: This track was originally recorded back in 2009 and had featured my homies Jose JFB and Goe Gettah. Back in 2011-2012 I had presented it to Rappin’ 4-Tay and he was ready. We knocked the song out quick. I now have 3 versions of this track. Keep your eyes open.
LM: Being part of 4Flavaz Ent. and working with a Bay Area legend like 4-Tay — how did that influence your approach to the game?
LiL’ Gang$ta: Made me want to go even harder in the paint. Being under 4-Tay’s wing taught me a lot about how to take this industry more seriously. Especially when theirs goals at play.
Don’t want to look up and be old and have accomplished nothing.
LM: From Deception to THUG L1F3, each of your albums tells a di erent chapter. Which one hits closest to home, and why?
LiL’ Gang$ta: Well you know your debut is your first born. So I’m going with that one, and 4-Tay let me name it after the both of us. A heavy decision I had with him because he originally didn’t like the idea had to grow on him. All smiles.
LM:You’ve stayed consistent across mixtapes, collabs, and studio albums. How do you keep your sound fresh while staying true to your roots?
LiL’ Gang$ta: Funny part about that is I was just being consistent to myself. Making sure I stay focused on trying to educate the listener instead of giving out cookie cutter music.
LM: If someone never heard LiL Gang$ta before — what’s the one track you’d tell them to start with, and what would it teach them about you?
LiL’ Gang$ta: If someone never heard of me and would like to learn by a track. I would recommend either “Picture A Nigga” or “No 1” first, but I have so many good ones.
LM: You founded Nuebiené Entertainment — what vision did you have when you launched it, and how has it evolved since?
LiL’ Gang$ta: Nuebiene Entertainment started as 21Pyramid Records. Vision for the company was to help young urban youths have a way to make it out the hood. Similar to the vision I had for myself.
LM:You were the 4th celebrity to drop a crypto coin — that’s a power move. What inspired that decision, and how do you see crypto shifting the music industry?
LiL’ Gang$ta: Crypto is the future and anyone that can’t see that is living under a rock. Crypto is about having the security needed to keep your money and information safe. It great for companies to adapt to make sure they’re earnings are not deflating due to massive printing.
LM: What advice would you give to a young artist coming up who feels like they have to choose between staying independent or chasing a label deal?
LiL’ Gang$ta: Always do what feels best for you, you don’t have to go the indie route like I did especially if your looking to be a serious artist. Sometimes being solo will slow you down.
LM: When it’s all said and done what do you want the name LiL Gang$ta to stand for in hip hop history?
LiL’ Gang$ta: Resilient. LiL’ Gang$ta stands for the spirit of independent grind, authenticity, and the evolution of street of street storytelling into new musical forms.
LM:You were the 4th celebrity to drop a crypto coin — that’s a power move. What inspired that decision, and how do you see crypto shifting the music industry?
LiL’ Gang$ta: I first heard about Bitcoin as a new video game currency when I was like 23 so originally I didn’t know what to think of it but I wanted some. Didn’t hear about Bitcoin again until 2019. So I did a quick study and downloaded some mining software and started mining for a year or two until I found some faucets that held other alt coins you could earn like Dogecoin, Ethereum and Tron. Then I got curious was there a way I could create my own with similar principles. So I learned how to write my own code with solidity on the Binance Smart Chain. My goals around it is to be a bridge between business of all sizes. Help with quick and fast transfers. My coin transfers are faster then the previous four I named and that was the main goal and scarcity to keep the price more stable.
LM: What advice would you give to a young artist coming up who feels like they have to choose between staying independent or chasing a label deal?
LiL’ Gang$ta: Follow what your heart tells you, what makes more sense. Sometimes being independent can slow you down if your a very serious artist trying to get seen.
LM: When it’s all said and done what do you want the name LiL Gang$ta to stand for in hip hop history?
LiL Gang$ta: Resilient. We make our own lane. We tell our truth. We evolve, but we never forget.
