Last week I attended a listening event for Lil Playy at Interscope Records.  This 22-year-old Houston native might not be a household name yet, but the operative word here is YET.  What you may not know is that Lil Playy has been working hard underground and behind the scenes for quite a while, already achieving a good deal of success without even having released his first album.

You know the Grammy Award-nominated “My Chick Bad” by Ludacris, featuring Nicki Minaj?  That hook was Lil Playy’s.  He also wrote “I Do” for Twista and is featured on “Work it Man” by Kelly Rowland.  He hasn’t even released his first mixtape, “TourBuzMuzik,” but based on the records I heard and the heavyweights he has behind him (super producer Rodney Jerkins and manager Suzanne de Passe), it’s safe to say that there will be much more to come from this talented, up-and-coming artist.

Here is the lead single from Lil Playy’s upcoming EP, set to be released later this year: “Birthday Dress” featuring Matthew Koma.

Also, look out for the gritty “Good Goody” featuring Kelly Rowland, which was my favorite.  But the truth is, it was hard to pick a favorite–I was really impressed and entertained by everything I heard and I’m definitely looking forward to the album.

A lil’ bit more about Lil Playy:

• Inspirations: Lil Flip, Lil Wayne, Kanye (College Dropout)
• First rapper to be signed by Suzanne de Passe, former Motown executive who discovered the Jackson 5
• Lil Playy got his name because he’s a big prankster
• Describes his music as feel-good, fun, backyard BBQ music

For more information on Lil Playy, check out his official website: www.lilplayy.com

kisses, Olisa