Lil Reese is an American rapper born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 6, 1993. He first gained recognition for his mixtape “Don’t Like,” released in 2012, and for being a member of the hip-hop collective “Drill Squad.”
In 2013, he signed a record deal with Def Jam Recordings and released his first commercial mixtape, “Supa Savage.” He has since released several mixtapes and collaborations with other artists in the rap industry. Here is a quick biography of the American rap star.
Early Life
Lil Reese was raised in the South Side of Chicago, where he was exposed to the harsh realities of street life from a young age. Growing up in a neighborhood plagued by poverty and violence profoundly impacted him and would later shape the themes of his music.
Lil Reese developed a love for rap music early on and began writing his rhymes and performing in local talent shows. He quickly gained recognition in his community for his talent and began honing his rapper skills.
Career
In 2012, Lil Reese released his first mixtape, “Don’t Like,” which quickly gained traction and put him on the map as an up-and-coming rapper. He became a member of the hip-hop collective “Drill Squad,” which helped to raise his profile further and establish him as a force in the rap game.
He would go on to make waves in the music industry in November 2012 with the release of the remix for his hit song “Us,” featuring Rick Ross and Drake. The remix was later included in Rick Ross’ mixtape, The Black Bar Mitzvah. With his unique and powerful rap style, Lil Reese quickly caught the attention of music producers and fans alike, leading to collaborations with popular names in the industry, such as Young Chop and Juelz Santana.
In January 2013, Lil Reese took the world by storm with the release of the remix to his song “Traffic,” featuring Young Jeezy and Twista. This new take on one of his biggest hits showcased his versatility.
September 2, 2013, marked the release of Lil Reese’s second solo mixtape, Supa Savage, which was met with great success. The mixtape featured collaborations with popular names such as Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Fredo Santana, Wale, and Waka Flocka Flame, further cementing his position as a sought-after artist in the industry.
Lil Reese Rise to Fame
In 2013, Lil Reese signed a record deal with Def Jam Recordings, one of the rap industry’s largest and most influential record labels. This marked a major milestone in his career and gave him the resources and platform he needed to reach a wider audience.
In the same year, he released his first commercial mixtape, “Supa Savage,” which received widespread critical acclaim and further solidified his position in the rap game. Over the years, he continued to release mixtapes, each one building upon the success of the previous and establishing him as a force to be reckoned with in the rap industry.
In addition to his solo work, Lil Reese has collaborated with several other artists in the rap industry, including Chief Keef, Fredo Santana, and Lil Durk. These collaborations have helped to expand his reach and bring his music to new audiences, as well as strengthen his position as a prominent figure in the rap world.
Controversies and Criticisms
Lil Reese has never been far away from controversies and criticisms. His carry has been dotted, molded, and marred by them over the years. His choice of lyrics, which often touch on themes of street life and violence, have come under scrutiny for promoting and glorifying violence and drug use. Some have criticized his music for perpetuating negative stereotypes and glorifying a culture of violence and gang activity.
Lil Reese found himself at the center of a controversy in March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he posted a controversial message on Twitter. The message, which referred to Chinese people as “nasty,” sparked immediate backlash and condemnation from many who deemed it racist.
The rapper’s tweet received widespread criticism and calls for him to delete the post. In response to the backlash, Lil Reese’s Twitter account was suspended, leading him to take to Instagram to share a screenshot of the official violation notification from Twitter. He captioned the post with a flippant comment, indicating his lack of remorse for the controversy.
Lil Reese Legal Troubles
Over the years, Lil Reese has faced several legal issues, including arrests for assault and drug possession. In May 2010, the rapper pleaded guilty to burglary charges and received two years of probation. However, his reputation was marred in October 2012 when a video surfaced that allegedly showed him assaulting a woman.
In April 2013, Lil Reese found himself in legal trouble again when Chicago Police arrested him on a warrant based on charges of criminal trespass to a residence with persons present, battery, and mob action from the February 2012 incident depicted in the viral video.
Unfortunately, Lil Reese’s run-ins with the law did not end there. On June 23, 2013, he was arrested and charged with motor vehicle theft after an incident in which he could not provide proof of ownership for a BMW 750Li. The charge was later dropped, but in July of the same year, the rapper was arrested again in Chicago for marijuana possession, a violation of his probation.
In May 2022, Lil Reese was taken into custody on a charge of aggravated assault against a family member. However, the situation quickly escalated as Harris County Jail records showed that he was eventually charged with an additional misdemeanor and two felonies, though the details of the specific charges were not public.
The rapper spent the last seven months in a Houston-area prison due to the assault case. According to HipHopDX, Lil Reese has now been released from the facility, but the outcome of his case remains uncertain.
Influence on the Drill Music Scene
Despite the controversies and criticisms surrounding his career, Lil Reese remains a relevant and popular figure in the rap world. He has maintained a dedicated fanbase and continues to release new music and collaborate with other artists.
Lil Reese’s aggressive and raw rap style has had a significant impact on the drill music scene, inspiring a new generation of artists and shaping the sound and direction of the genre. His music, which provides a voice for the struggles of life in the inner city, has inspired other artists to explore similar themes and styles in their work.
He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential drill artists to emerge from Chicago. Through his music, he has given voice to the struggles and realities of life in the inner city and inspired a new generation of artists to explore similar themes and styles in their work.
Lil Reese Social Media
Lil Reese has significantly impacted social media, with a large and dedicated following on both Instagram and Twitter. As of February 2023, his Instagram account, @reesemoney300, boasts over 1.6 million followers, showcasing his popularity and influence in the online community.
Similarly, Lil Reese’s Twitter account, @LilReese300, has also gained a large following, with over a million followers. This high level of engagement on social media demonstrates the rapper’s ability to connect with fans and captivate a large audience.
Conclusion
Lil Reese’s music continues to be a staple in the rap world, and his contributions to the genre have solidified his place in hip-hop history. With his raw and powerful style, Lil Reese has inspired a new generation of artists and proven time and time again that he is a force to be reckoned with.
The controversies and criticisms surrounding Lil Reese’s music and image have been a constant throughout his career and have served to both bolster and hinder his popularity. Despite this, he maintains a strong following and remains one of the most recognizable and influential figures in the drill music scene.
