Chill-Ill Interview

Check out our exclusive interview with producer Chill Ill.

I2G is here with Chill-Ill, how’s it going?

Thank you. I can’t complain and I’m doing fine. Many projects are in progress and the work doesn’t stop.

You just recently dropped your new single entitled “What’s The Answer” featuring Blame One and Aloe Blacc. Tell me a little bit about the single and how it came together for you.

This new single is part of the upcoming record „Long Awaited: The Ep“ by Blame One from San Diego/Oceanside (California) which will be released via our new label Soulchain Records – also entirely produced by me. It’s the second single from this project. Blame One has already collaborated with Aloe Blacc on several songs in the past. So they are good friends. I already had this beat with the scratch hook and that was also the theme for the song. In addition to the production, I also animated the official video and created the artwork for the song and the upcoming EP.

Do you have any albums set to drop?

The next release will be the full EP with Blame One with 6 tracks and all instrumentals on vinyl and digital. The pre-order to the vinyl edition is already online on our bandcamp site or available via hhv.de and on my website (www.chill-ill.at) as well. There are many more projects in the pipeline with heavy weights from the US hip-hop underground scene, like Akrobatik (Boston), Frank Nitt (Frank n Dank / Detroit), Jahan Nostra (Mount Vernon/NY), M-Dot (Boston), Predominance (L.A.) for example – with a lot of nice features as well. Collaborations with Wordsworth & Awon, Pawz One & Declaime and a 6-track EP with Reks are already out via Soulchain.

Do you have any more upcoming videos or singles?

Yeah. Further singles with some of the above-mentioned MCs are planned and some videos and visualizers have already been shot. More information will be available in the fall at the latest.

What are your current thoughts on the music industry?

I have to say that it is becoming increasingly difficult to reach people because the market is so oversaturated. On the other hand, there are also many good things to discover and the scene is diverse. But no matter what the industry says, passion and authenticity are still the most important and will prevail in the end.

What is currently playing on your playlist musically?

I’m listening a lot to the last album from Sparkz and Pitch92 from the UK, called „Full Circle“. The last albums by cordae or redman are also very dope. I still enjoy listening to the last Common & Pete Rock album The Auditorium Vol. 1. There is a lot of good stuff out there.

Do you have any shows or tour dates?

With Soulchain, we always try to bring live acts from the States and other countries to Austria and combine them with local artists. On July 16, M-Dot from Boston will be playing in Linz, Austria (at CulturCafé Smaragd) again. Further events are planned for fall. I’m also regularly on tour with my solo stuff as Chill-ill with DJ-sets or liveshows.

What is your website information?

The official label website is www.soulchainrecords.com and there’s also more information on my own website: www.chill-ill.at

Appreciate the interview, any last words or shout outs?

Thanks a lot! Yes, of course shout out to my man Antrue who is running the label with me. As well as to all artists and producers we work with and thanks to all listeners for the support. Stay tuned for the upcoming projects!