Today we’d like to introduce you to William Johnson.
Hi William, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m A Upcoming Entrepreneur & Independent Music Artist I Go By The Stage Name Ym Philll I Used Too Go By My Nickname And Stage Name Lil Will In My Early Years Of Business Becoming An Entrepreneur/Motivational Speaker Coming Straight Out Of Baltimore Maryland I Was Born & Raised In. I Started Releasing Music In 2018 When I Was 18yrs Old Then Started Releasing On All Platforms In 2020 After I Had My First Child In 2019 It’s Been A Journey So Far It Has Been Rough At Times But I Have Pulled Through The Rain & The Rain Doesn’t Last Forever. It’s Way More Down The Road To Come For Me. So Stay Tuned God Is My Only Witness Now I Am 25 years old 7 years Going On 8 Years in The Independent Music Business, I’m Also a Profound motivational speaker, investor, & Songwriter Consistency Hardwork & Dedication Has Made Me A Profound Figure In The World Today & Years To Come In The Future My focus Is to Educate The World Of Younger Generations To Follow There Dreams No Matter How Hard Life Or Circumstances Get To Never Give Up & Believe in Yourself Also Stay True To Yourself & Never Stop Grinding.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No It Hasn’t Been A Smooth Road, Growing Up in Baltimore Coming from Baltimore, My music frequently touches on the harsh realities of the inner city. I reflect heavily on navigating environments surrounded by street violence, survival pressures, and systemic obstacles. My lyrics often balance the desire to stay on a positive track while dealing with the heavy gravity of my hometown’s environment. The Grind of an Independent Artist Without a massive major-label budget, My career is defined by the independent grind. My music captures the exhaustion, financial pressure, and mental toll of trying to build a music career from scratch. My album Pressure Makes Diamonds (2024) is a literal nod to this—using the immense pressure of My circumstances to force Myself to grow and create something valuable. Rappin Barista (2022) directly highlights the struggle of balancing a regular day job to survive while trying to clock hours in the studio and fund My dream. Mental Health and Feeling Isolated A recurring narrative in my newer music is the feeling of loneliness and dealing with internal demons. My EP Wanna Feel Heard (2024) dives deep into the frustration of shouting into the void, dealing with depression, and the struggle to find genuine support systems when you are at your lowest. My project No More Fears (2023) focuses on overcoming anxiety, self-doubt, and the paralyzing fear of failure that comes with putting my vulnerable stories out for the world to judge. I use my music as a therapeutic outlet to process these hardships, turning raw pain into something my listeners can relate to.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a rising, self-made powerhouse in the underground hip-hop scene. I approach my craft with a heavy focus on authenticity, hustle, and emotional transparency. Here is a breakdown of my career, specialty, and artistic identity What Do I Specialize In ? Raw, Real-Life Storytelling: I Am a hip-hop and rap artist specializing in conscious lyrics and melodic rap. I dont just rap about luxury or fictionalized street tropes; I write strictly from my own lived experiences.Vulnerable Themes: I specialize in translating dark emotional states into music. My catalog acts as a deep dive into mental health struggles, tackling heavy topics like depression, systemic obstacles, and overwhelming isolation.Prolific Output: I have a work ethic defined by consistent drops, managing to write, record, and release multiple full EPs and albums within a single calendar year (releasing projects like Wanna Feel Heard and Be Versatile in rapid succession). What am I Known For? The “Rappin Barista” Persona: I am widely recognized for my 2022 breakout album Rappin Barista. It cemented my reputation as an artist who works a regular day job while funding and chasing my music dreams on the side.Representing Baltimore: im also known as a voice coming straight out of Baltimore, Maryland. My tracks often mirror the gritty, unforgiving reality of the city’s streets and the mental toll of surviving in them . What Am I Most Proud Of? Beating the Odds: On my personal platforms, I emphasize that I am most proud of transitioning from a state of being “counted out” to becoming a source of inspiration for others.Turning Pain into Progress: I take deep pride in using my music as a vehicle to change my life. My project titles, like Pressure Makes Diamonds (2024), showcase my pride in taking life’s absolute worst anxieties and forging them into valuable art. What Sets me Apart from Others? Total Transparency over Clout: While many modern rappers rely on heavily exaggerated personas, I set myself apart through absolute vulnerability. I am willing to sound frustrated, broken, or anxious on any track if it means being completely honest with my audience. The Independent Grind: I stand out as a pure DIY artist. I fund my own music, I handle my own rollout strategies, and write directly for my listeners who “wanna feel heard,” completely bypassing mainstream commercial formulas to build a dedicated, organic fan base.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
No
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dot.cards/ym_philll?fbclid=PAdGRleAT394twZG9mAmZkaWQWUNAyuyYTxpBzVRhWirbb7kDnKWmak2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp-8EMEdCxod3OPJkNpHoUl5Z5yLMkQ9nzXzbEeA2C855T5tVDmGCcR4XNo3q_aem_jejNOl48pj98FefDb2p2zA&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ym_phillll?igsi=NTJtaHFreDl4aXM%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18MVCb8Tdb/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Twitter: https://x.com/artm_phil?s=11
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ymphillll?si=H00upKLUQL-3GXz3
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/jhGaJDdFR8GPhCW97Q
