Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lil Derik. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lil Derik, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Recently, I took the risk of taking on a new role that would take time away from me focusing on music 24/7. That risk was becoming a substitute teacher and basketball coach. Two things I wasn’t sure on but turned out to be perfect for me. I thought I wouldn’t have as much time to dedicate to my music but I was wrong. Coaching and teaching hasn’t stopped me from being an artist, it’s actually assisted me financially & I’ve been booked for more shows this year than my whole career. Working with the youth has given me a new sense of fulfillment as well. As an artist, I try to do things that fulfill me & keeps me motivated & in a positive mood. So this is one risk that has worked out for me perfectly.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hailing from the South Side of Saint Louis, Lil Derik is a twenty-seven year old independent hip hop artist. Lil Derik spent his adolescence studying everyone from Rakim, Snoop Dogg, and 2Pac to T.I., OutKast, and Lil Wayne. He started rapping as a freshman in high school and in 2015 formed the music collective “More Than Music” with his friends Tazz B. , Alley 2 Timexxz, and Sedii Kokane. Since graduating from high school in 2016, Lil Derik has dropped several projects, including his first mixtape, Rather Be Rich Than Famous in anticipation of his first official release on streaming platforms– Huey Vs. Riley: The Mixtape – which debuted in March of 2018. With a style influenced by the likes of J Cole, A$AP Rocky, Nipsey Hussle, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, and Wiz Khalifa, Lil Derik considers himself a student of the game. Since starting to take music seriously in 2018, Lil Derik has dropped numerous projects including: “The Rotation”, “Tales of a 90’s Baby” and “Tales of a 90’s Baby, Pt. 2 ”, “Wintertime in the Bay”, “Mean Gene & The People’s Champ 1 & 2”, “The Red Tape”, “Pimpin Since 98’”, & “The Players” to name a few. This Curren$y & Larry June method of consistent releases was all leading to his 2025 studio album “Enter The Dragon”, which dropped on January 10th, his 27th birthday. Lil Derik spent four whole years perfecting this album and it is something he considers his best work of art to date!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
BUY THE ART FROM THE ARTIST. I know streaming is extremely convenient but if you really want to support an artist buy their art. Buy their album, buy their single, buy a shirt, buy a ticket to a concert, buy a poster, buy a painting, buy a beat. Often times, especially for music, these products are between $1 & $40. If you really want to support an artist that isn’t that steep of a price to pay for something you’d actually own.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to inspire people. When people tell me that my music inspired them or motivated them to chase their dreams and goals as hard as I do that’s the most satisfying feeling an artist can get. Hearing that my music changed or saved someone’s life is the most fulfilling part of being an artist. Knowing that my words have power and I’m using them for the greater good is an amazing feeling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/MTMLilDerik
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mtmlilderik
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MTMLilDerik/community
- Twitter: https://x.com/mtmlilderik
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCF8GnR41OFyz3w3so_KkE1Q
