Today we’d like to introduce you to Billiam B.
Hi Billiam, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a Non-Binary performing artist from the DMV, I rap I sing, I dance I create. I’d like to consider myself the “The Hip Hop Hero” here to honor, defend and protect all the young boys like me, with dreams, hopes, and aspirations like mine that may have experienced some of the same traumas and have some of the same triggers I have. I’ve always wanted to be an inspiration to people by simply living my life. Flawed and all. I decided I was finished with school at Clark Atlanta in 2011 and decided to pursue my music full time. To be honest I attended college for my parent’s satisfaction, not my own. When I realized I was in school for the wrong reasons I knew I had to pursue my passion. I continued to live in ATL until about 2013 when I got in a little trouble with the law and then moved to New Jersey. Living in New Jersey and being so close to New York City was a tease. I worked hard to stack up money to make that transition to New York and it was the best decision I could have ever made. I always say The DMV made me, Atlanta Raised me, and New York city Saved me. It was there that my dream seemed tangible. I met so many people and experienced so much there, but most importantly I was able to Submerge myself in my art. I started writing R&B/ Pop tracks and my first single was a song called “WHY” to an acoustic guitar. lol how far we’ve come. But I love music in every form. It wasn’t until I started experimenting with hip hop that I fell in love. I knew when I wrote “Black in America” in 2016 that I said this is what I was put here on this earth to do and ever since then I’ve been relentless about making my dreams come true. By being brave, staying true to myself, and keeping the faith in GOD.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I mean really… lol It most definitely has not been an easy road but to whom much is given much is tested. I found out two weeks before going to college I was HIV positive. The most exciting time in my life had turned into a hell storm. I was depressed and away from family & Friends. I didn’t have the best influences around me my freshman year and it showed in my grades. I was dealing with so much at such a pivotal time and no one knew. Part of the reason I left Clark Atlanta when I did was that my mother was locked up for embezzlement going into my sophomore year. My life had flipped upside down overnight. It felt like the life I had come to know seemed to be a lie and I struggled with that for a long time. I resented my mother for her mistakes and it took some time for me to forgive her. So now I’m a college dropout with a momma in jail, no idea what I’m going to do but I know this passion for music burns in my soul and I have this idea of moving to the big city to be a star. It’s been so many hungry nights, lonely times that I don’t speak of, things I never thought I would be doing for money, stealing, boosting, scamming, I mean one thing about not having anything is you’re willing to risk it all to have something. Atlanta prepared me for what was to come in New York. The struggle was real as some may say. But the struggle didn’t break nor shake me, it shaped me. It’s all about having to see the blessing in the curse I say. Perspective is important, but you got to know that life is a journey, not a destination, and with hard work, dedication, determination, and faith you can do anything your heart desires.
I feel like we are on the brink of something new that the world has never seen on the main stage and that is GAY artist!! Specifically, gay rappers on the main stage. Big shout out to Saucy Santa because what he is doing for Rap culture and other artists such as myself is MONUMENTAL. The seal has been broken and I say give it 2 years to watch every major label have a leading Gay act. I will be one of them. It’s been so long since we’ve wanted to have our voices heard and our stories shared and it’s finally happening slowly but surely. Everybody has a gay cousin brother co-worker something. So, I’m glad everyone is realizing that gay guys rapping about their life and experiences just like straight men and women do is not the taboo thing in the world. That’s the narrative I’m here to push. That’s what makes me different. I am a gay rapper and I’m here to bridge the gap between the hetero and homosexual communities we can exist in the same space! I want to bring women and men together from all different backgrounds, ethnicities, and neighborhoods through my music. To show love, to support each other, to help each other get to the next level. As an independent artist, the support from your tribe, your community, your fans, and the people that believe in you is all you have. That’s all I ask for and that’s all I can give. I am known for my positive attitude, people seek and respect my opinion and I am proud of that. I am honored people think of me when they need motivation, help, need to cry, need fashion advice. I like being the go-to person for people. I love people. My NEW single F.W.U (F***k with you) is out now!! The music video is going to be insane! Big shout out to my team Aaron, Danny, Corin and Tyler, and my Fiancé. I am so proud of my team for this we took a classic movie “How to be a playa” with Bill Bellamy and made it gay lol. I can’t wait for everyone to see it. 100 Barz was my welcome letter to the industry, I have a new sound, new image, and lots of new music on the way and it’s my time to let the girls know I’m HERE TO STAY NOT PLAY.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I feel like we are on the brink of something new that the world has never seen on the main stage and I feel like that gay artist!! Specifically, gay rappers. A Big shout out to Saucy Santa because what he is doing for the Rap culture and for other artists such as myself is MONUMENTAL. The seal has been broken and I say give it 2 years to watch every major label have a leading Gay act. I will be one of them. It’s been so long since we’ve wanted to have our voices heard and our stories shared and it’s finally happening slowly but surely. Everybody has a gay cousin brother co-worker something. So, I’m glad everyone is realizing that gay guys rapping about their life and experiences just like straight men and women do is not the taboo thing in the world. That’s the narrative I’m here to push. That’s what makes me different. I am a gay rapper and I’m here to bridge the gap between the hetero and homosexual communities we can exist in the same space! I want to bring women and men together from all different backgrounds, ethnicities, and neighborhoods for one thing. To show love. To support each other to help each other get to the next level. As an independent artist support from your Tribe your community your fans, and the people that believe in you is all you have. That’s all I ask for and that’s all I can give. I am known for my positive attitude, people seek and respect my opinion and I am proud of that. I am honored people think of me when they need motivation, help, need to cry, need fashion advice. I like being the go-to person for people. I love people. My NEW single 100 BARZ is out now!! I am so proud of my team for this we really took a very basic Idea and elevated it to what I would consider a big-budget video. 100 Barz is my welcome letter to the industry, I have a new sound new image, and lots of new music on the way and it’s my time to let the girls know IM HERE TO STAY NOT PLAY.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Prior proper planning promotes perfect performance. Be prepared for your dreams to come true… Dreams only work if you do!
Contact Info:
- Email: bee.billiam@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theofficialbillygoat
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialbillylytle
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BillyLytleTV
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/album/100-barz/1613278402?i=1613278403
Image Credits
All images shot & Edit by Aaron Murrell – AXMMXA photography
