NEXT WAVE: BILL$
Photo Credit: @nachocapone
Written By: Sammy Approved | @thecnsamuel
Detroit rapper Bill$ is making waves for himself with pretty girl music, sounds to play on a sunny day and songs dedicated to loved ones. The next wave comes with a powerful presence fit for this month’s theme. Read more about how he makes music for himself, how he found power in the pivot and his personal formula to success.
Bill$ has carved out a sound that is unique to him and his experience. There’s some Midwest and East Coast influences peeking through Bill$’s music, which he’s surely gained inspiration from his upbringing in Detroit, Michigan and his time spent pursuing his undergraduate studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
“I have a degree in Biology from Howard and yet somehow I’m rapping and making it happen,” the rapper shared with us about his resilience.
As an artist, Bill$ finds inspiration by one of music’s biggest acts, Drake. He specifically draws to how Drake navigated the industry early on in his career. Bill$ finds Drake’s adaptability impactful, and he chooses to lean into that when it comes to making his own wave.
“I think his versatility is what shows up most in my music,” Bill$ shares about Drake’s artistic influence.
Photo Credit: @auviancecreations
Bill$ has created a name for himself since his early days as a DJ. He speaks to the challenges he faced early on while transitioning from DJ to artist. Thought it was difficult for him to gain the respect and recognition, it seems he has finally found his way.
“I first got into music by being a DJ so at first it was pretty hard to get people to respect me as an artist,” Bill$ shared. “Now, I feel more people recognize me as an artist especially since I take myself and my art more serious than I did when I first started rapping.”
His consistency is admirable. Bill$ drops singles regularly, delivering clever lines over cinematic beats. His latest single “Cool” has an infectious sample that makes you want to hit your money dance. With one album titled $ponsorship Dolla$ released back in 2022 to on EP dedicated to the Pretty Girls, Bill$ is just getting started. As we are writing this, Bill$ has already announced his next single “Pocket Dropping” with artist Ocho on July 3.
Bill$’s star is rising with impressive Spotify listenership to end 2023. With over 184k streams, 39.5k listeners in 150 countries, he describes his community as “anyone who likes good music and wants to see the next star being made.”
Still, Bill$ makes music for himself first, and whoever else likes it is “just a plus.” He shares a few keys to his success so far, citing failure, focus and the freedom to create as the formula to navigating the business.
“I see the good in any situation,” Bill$ comments on his personal superpower. “There’s always somebody in a worst situation than yours so I always try to remember that and be grateful for my situation.”
Photo Credit: @auviancecreations
He goes on to share that failure has been instrumental to his evolution as an artist saying, “really failure, I’ve only gotten from my mistakes and mishaps.”
Bill$ keeps the focus on the quality of his music. With a wide selection of new music and artists fans can choose from, Bill$ makes sure to stay ahead of the curve, creating noteworthy music that represents him and not “just a trendy sound.”
“I don’t like many people, soooooo it’s super important for niggas to know we are not the same,” Bill$ shares confidently of how he’s separate from the rest. “I’m also very competitive and I wanna be the best. That’s how you don’t get stuck in a box and grouped with people you actually have nothing in common with musically.”
Bill$ recommends a book titled Steal Like An Artist,” which discusses how nothing is new under the sun. When carving out a lane for himself, Bill$ recognizes that he must pull from his most authentic self, which is a culmination of all the music that’s come before him.
“Like the first table was just a large rock, somebody just made it wood and added legs,” Bill$ shared. “I feel like that’s how music is, I’m not looking to bring anything new because honestly I wouldn’t be giving you an authentic version of me.”
His formula to success is keeping content at the center. Bill$ credits being active with the success he’s seen so far. Once he started taking himself serious and treating himself as a rapper, he began to see true progress.
The gifted rapper has already made an impact on his peers since beginning his artist journey.
“My birthday is in July, and as a Leo this just makes sense to me,” Bill$ share about this months theme, Power. “I’d say I’ve influenced my peers to go for what they want. Most of my friends still don’t get it but I just think their not crazy enough about their dreams like I am.”
Photo Credit: @auviancecreations
Despite personal misfortunes in his life, like losing his mom last year, Bill$ credits his little brother as his biggest inspiration to get up and “grind every day.” The rapper says making money is his favorite thing to do. So, it’s no surprise that even in the midst of heartbreak, he puts in the work to pursue his dreams.
“I really show too much love to people and I should stop but if I did then I wouldn’t be me,” Bill$ speaks to his solid, loving character.
In terms of his personal highlights, Bill$ was recently featured on music platform, “Ontheradar,” which he considers a major career highlight.
“Ontheradar was a big moment for me, I got a lot of new fans from that so I’m forever grateful for that,” he shares. “Other than that I’d have to say my most powerful career highlight is losing my mom, I feel like that turned me into my most vulnerable self and let me see things from a different perspective rather it’s good or bad.”
Turning pain into power is a unique and admirable skill that Bill$ embodies. That’s another trait that makes him a power player and the next wave in music.
As for his most powerful play yet, Bill$ believes a feature from an underground artist would push him farther.
“A feature from an underground artist would turn me up,” he shared. “Someone like Joony, KP SKYWALKA, or Babyfxce E. I think the next step for me is just expanding my fan base. I want the world to hear my music.”
As for what’s next, he is excited for the music to reach more listeners. Bill$ is confident that his next opportunity is right around the corner. For aspiring artists trying to find their own wave in music, Bill$ returns to a note we’ve heard before.
“Just be you. What’s for you will be for you and what’s not, won’t,” he eloquently concludes out interview.