CUSP Magazine: Summer Issue 2014

A fter releasing three EPs over the past three years, Chicago
artist Lili K recently announced she is working on her first full-length
album, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2014, according
to her website.
Her debut album, currently untitled, will be Lili’s first project that is
comprised completely of live instrumentation, which is how she has always
wanted to record, according to the artist. Lili’s current material includes
many live elements, such as bass and keyboards, and she plays with a full
band during live performances. According to Lili, her most recent EP, “My
Favorite Things,” was recorded with primarily live instruments.
“I want [the album] to be accurate to my live shows. I hate performing
with a track, because really it’s about me and my band,” Lili K said. “[Live
instrumentation] translates better.”
In addition to incorporating more live instrumentation than her
previous projects, Lili said she plans on returning to her original style of
jazz and soul for her album. Often associated with Chicago’s hip-hop
scene, Lili is renowned for blending her sultry voice and jazzy style with
hip-hop, creating a unique sound that has pushed the 22-year-old artist to
the forefront of Chicago’s music spotlight.
“I kind of got caught up in the hip-hop scene, which is great, but I kind
of miss what I came up on,” Lili said. “[The album] will be really jazz and
soul-oriented to kind of get back to my roots.”
These roots appear to be buried in a lifetime of music appreciation
and performance. According to her website, Lili grew up in an artistic
household in Milwaukee and began writing original music when she was
10-years-old. After graduating from Milwaukee High School of the Arts,
where she studied classical, opera and jazz vocals, Lili attended Columbia
College Chicago. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Arts, Entertainment
and Media Management in 2012, according to the site.
“I went to school to understand the business aspects of everything,”
Lili said. “So I understand the industry a bit more than a lot of artists do,
especially new artists.”
CUSP MAGAZINE SUMMER ’14 ISSUE 23