Lil Brod
Lil Brod a.k.a. Mr. Monticello earned a reputation as one of South Carolina's hottest up and coming rappers by grinding in the streets. The path he took to get to where he is now is a testament to his relentless drive and hustle. Growing up in his grandmother's house with 7 brothers and sisters, Lil Brod learned what it meant to struggle at an early age. His stomping ground, Monticello, located on the rough side of Columbia, S.C., is where he started hustling to help contribute to his family. From ages 10 to 14, this street entrepreneur did whatever he could to make a buck, from cutting grass to more risky activities that would periodically cause run-ins with the law. By the 9th grade, Lil Brod had become accustomed to making his own money and decided to drop out of school to pursue opportunities that would eventually lead to his first criminal charge at the age of 15.
In between hustling and doing what he had to, Lil Brod, began writing, recording and pressing his own CDs, mostly as a hobby. However, by 19, Lil Brod had 2 more legal brushes, one of which earned him a state-sponsored vacation. This was the beginning of a turning point for him. Lil Brod realized that what he'd experienced in the past 3 years, combined with frequent stints of homelessness and watching love ones pass away, was not what he had planned for his life. And with the news of a baby on the way, he chose to take his street hustle mentality and channel it into his natural talent of rapping and writing.
Lil Brod started writing and recording from his home what he calls struggle music. The pain and hopelessness that he was going through can be heard in "Sometimes I." At the time when he recorded the song, he was frustrated with his current circumstances, "I was actually homeless and it was like I was crying out on the track." The hook paints this vivid picture, "Sometimes I think about this money that I'm not havin and I'm lackin, so I'm down on my knees, so that's why I, gotta keep on movin, keep on doin what I'm doin and one day I'll succeed."
Lil Brod, the persistent hustler, had 7 mixtapes under his belt by the time he recorded "Sometimes I." And although he averaged over 5,000 units through hand to hand selling, "Do U Mind," is considered his break out track by critics. "Do U Mind" is one of those songs that is both a radio smash and club banger, just an undeniable record. Brod is a talented artist that makes good music and has a chance to make it in the music industry," stated Randy Roper, Ozone Magazine Music Editor and AllHipHop.com writer.
"Do U Mind", a street ballad for the ladies, has gained attention across the South and in particular, South Carolina, through radio air play on at least 8 stations including 100.1, the Beat and Hot 103.9. As word started spreading, Lil Brod began landing opening act gigs for the biggest names in the South such as Young Jeezy, Rick Ross and Gucci Mane, to name a few. Before long, booking Lil Brod to open for shows became a rite of passage for all of the top rap acts that passed through his market. These opportunities led to features on popular compilations and mixtapes along side Gorilla Zoe, Gucci Mane, and on Hot Block magazine's mixtape, where he was featured on "Nasty," with Gorilla Zoe, Mr Flip & Collard Collard Greens. Lil Brod also had a review in The Fader.com, Blvd St.com & Ozone Magazine Website.
With comparisons to Lil' Boosie and Webbie, Lil Brod has vowed to put South Carolina on his back and expand the Dirty South spotlight to his small town. In addition to writing, Lil Brod also produces, and for his latest effort, he teamed up with $9 Mill, Da Honorable CNOTE and the production team, Head Hunter Records. The messages in his music showcase what he feels hiphop is missing. With too much emphasis on monetary gains and glorifying material things, Lil Broad offers a pleasant departure. "I try to connect with people that feel there is no hope," states Lil Brod.
When Lil Brod isn't recording or performing, this full-time father spends time with his family. After a recent appearance at a local elementary school, Lil Brod became inspired to return to school and get his G.E.D., just another notch to add to this 21 year old's accomplishments.
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