King Lil G
Young Drummer Boy

Hip-hop history comprises countless underdog stories. 

However, nothing quite compares to the come-up of King Lil G. 

Tracing the kind of rags-to-riches trajectory that’s typically reserved for the big screen, the Mexican rapper, entrepreneur, and proud father has gone from humble beginnings as an immigrant to international renown for both his music and business acumen. Emerging as a preeminent Mexican spitter, he reps a culture certainly known for consuming dyed-in-the-wool American hip-hop, yet rarely associated with creating it on a global scale. At the same time, he embodies a universal experience amplified by his tireless grind, inventive approach, and undeniable talent. It’s why he’s piled up nearly 1 billion total streams and views under-the-radar, sold out numerous shows, and earned acclaim from HYPEBEAST, Vibe, and XXL in addition to a co-sign from none other than Kendrick Lamar. 

Now, King Lil G tells his story like never before on his 2024 album 18 Days and I’m Gone [Empire 47 Records/808 Kartel/Compound Interest].

“On this record, I wanted to focus on spitting over boom-bap beats and coming with stories like how I did in the past,” he explains. “I’m talking about relatable subjects like what I’ve been through and how I’ve been able to overcome a lot. I’m genuinely more motivated than ever to tell my story.”

Music immediately called to King Lil G during his youth in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Inglewood. Inspired by West Coast classics, he constantly spun the likes of Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle on repeat. At 12-years-old, he started to write songs of his own. He locked into a prolific groove, dropping eleven full-length projects since 2012.Among many highlights, he generated over 100 million Spotify streams across “Grow Up,” “No Face No Ca$e,” “Ignorance,” “L.A. Vibe,” and more. Simultaneously, he launched multiple businesses and built an impressive portfolio, including popular cannabis brand KING WOODZ, clothing line AK47, and his own record label AK47 Boys. Moreover, he attracted a staggering audience, encompassing 3 million followers across social media and north of 1 million YouTube subscribers. 

After nearly 15 years in the game, he considered putting down the mic once and for all to focus on his family. His youngest daughter had other plans, though…

“She said to me, ‘No daddy, you’ve got to make more music, because people love your songs and concerts. You’re King Lil G, and they love you’,” he recalls. “When she said that, it stuck with me. The motivation came back. I couldn’t simply rap about partying though; I needed to get serious again. The storytelling is what made me popular in the first place, so I went back to it.”

One session with DJ Flippp kickstarted the process for the album. Living up to the title 18 Days and I’m Gone, he finished recording in 18 days. “It was almost like the ideas were spilling out of my mind,” he states. “My spirit felt like it needed to record.” 

This hunger drives the first single “Loyalty.” Horns boom atop the head-nodding beat as he assesses a series of trials and tribulations with intensity and empathy all at once.

“‘Loyalty’ tells the story of a youngster getting in trouble a lot and spending time in jail,” he notes. “I’m talking about how certain groups of people can take you down an ugly path. The second verse is similar to the light, showing the good life. A lot of times, you can’t tell kids to not get in trouble. Instead, you have to show them the path to success.” 

Spanish guitar wraps around slick finger-snaps on “City Lights.” Once again, his confessions cut deep as he admits, “I learned a lot of shit from this pain that I endured.”

“It reminisces about sleeping on the couch, living off EBT, and not having any money to eat,” he says. “I was running around in the streets with my friends. I reflect on that life and share how depressing it can be when you make bad decisions.”  

“Palms Casino” revolves around an airy loop as his crystal clear delivery echoes over a thumping groove. Dropping cash on the table, he boasts, “You talking to the president, baby, I’m writing all the checks.”

“That one is about having fun,” he grins. “It tells a story about me and my boys having a good old time at the Palms Casino.” 

Then, there’s “Tell Me No Lies.” He paints a vivid picture of the streets without filter, “I got in the whip started driving at 11:30, gotta go deliver all this product.” He sighs, “I try to walk away but all the demons follow me.”

“That song talks about the days I was hustling in the streets,” he explains. “I’m more or less giving a view of what my life was like back then. I’m fortunate to live a nice and luxurious life now, but I don’t want people to forget where I came from.” 

Meanwhile, he goes bar-for-bar with fellow L.A. phenomenon Fenix Flexin of Shoreline Mafia on “TITLE.” 

“Fenix has been the homie for a long time,” he says. “We talked about getting on a song together for a minute. We linked up through Flippp and knocked out the song real quick. It has a good energy to it.” 

Speaking of energy, “52nd Floor” filters his rhymes through a haze of smoke as confidence belies pensiveness. “I talk about what I want to do,” he notes. “It doesn’t really have a story attached to it, but it has a bunch of rhymes you can enjoy while smoking or relaxing with friends or your girl.” 

Ultimately, King Lil G’s story might just inspire you.

“I’d love to hopefully influence other Mexican artists,” he leaves off. “When I was putting in the work and hoping I could become something, there were no Mexican artists to look up to. From my journey, I can leave a legacy of being a hard worker dedicated to his community and family. I hustle so hard to take care of my family. My biggest priority is to give my children the life I didn’t have. They’re making me be the best I can be, and I’m giving my best to the music because of them.”