Interview: Pill (8/25/09)

Download: 4180: The Prescription

In a time where the growing emphasis on transparency within one’s music, lifestyle, and neighborhood has all but destroyed the gangsta rap genre of hip hop, Pill has emerged as a breath of fresh air.

Pill is able to thrive in this genre because all of his lyrics are based off of real life experiences.  He gets his inspiration from his personal trials and tribulations.

The other unique thing about Pill is that he’s coming straight out of Pink City, a notorious section of Atlanta.  Instead of getting caught up in the Pink City street life, Pill has used hard work and determination to build up his rap career.

To give you a better feel of where Pill is coming from, check out this video where he takes us through Pink City and Simpson Road.

As you can tell, Pill is coming straight out of the streets of Atlanta.

Recently Pill decided to spend some time in New York, and HipHopAtLunch.com caught up with the rapper to get a better feel for what Pink City is like, and to talk about Pill’s music.

Wanting a better life than the one portrayed in his lyrics, Pill decided to seriously pursue his music career even while working in the trap.  This humble rapper thanks God everyday for giving him the strength to overcome his circumstances.

As you just heard Pill say in the interview, the video for “Trap Goin’ Ham” had no actors and no set.  Pill simply went into Pink City and let the cameras roll. Not surprisingly, the video has been met with a lot of controversy due to its graphic content.

Pill – Trap Goin Ham from Motion Family on Vimeo.

Pill was aiming to paint a portrait of poverty with “Trap Goin’ Ham,” which was shot five minutes away from a police precinct, and seven minutes away from the state capital.  Contrary to popular belief, Pill does not glorify the harsh realities of living in the trap.  Rather, Pill used “Trap Goin’ Ham” to show the world an uncensored view of Pink City.

This mission of bringing reality to street music has gotten Pill a lot of fans and support, nation wide.  Check out Pill performing “Trap Goin’ Ham” and “Ridin’ on it” live in NYC.  It’s not easy for a southern artist to come to New York and receive love after only recently dropping a mixtape.

Before we left Pill, we asked the artist to speak about how he’s using Twitter.  Here’s what he had to say:

Hit him up on Twitter: @Pill4180, and let Pill know what you thought of the interview!  And if @Jack (Creater of Twitter) is watching this interview, Pill wants you to holla at him!

If you’re looking for hood music, but are tired of rappers reminicing on what they used to do, or writing about a dream life, then you need to listen to Pill’s The Prescription.  Get yourself a dose of that real!