Big Gilly: an interview with DC’s Muva of rap!
448 Suge of Loading magazine sat down with DC female rap artist Big Gilly and got to know a bit more about who she is & why she is the “Muva of DC rap”.
448 Suge: First off thank you for taking the time to do this interview, for those that don’t know who you are tell them who you are and where you are from.
Big Gilly: Thank you for the interview and the vibes I’m Big Gilly not the little one and I’m from DC Southeast to be exact Choppa City’s finest.
448 Suge: That’s dope, much love to D.C. the culture there is amazing and there is nothing in the world like GO-GO. So, where does the name Big Gilly come from?
Big Gilly: Absolutely gotta love Gogo. Big Gilly originated from my last name, Grier, I always had the nickname Gilly I put Big in front of it because, in everything I do, I do it big; goals, big dreams and big visions.
448 Suge: ok, talk that talk Gilly. So how did you get into making music? How did Lashunna start her path to becoming Big Gilly the “Muva of DC rap”?
Big Gilly: I always loved music. It’s a staple in most households. Music saved my life. When you think about music, you think of a soundtrack of your life. I want to make the songs people remember when they are sad, happy, or just wanna turn up. I always loved remixing other people’s songs. I used to get in trouble for talking about stuff I shouldn’t of known anything about. My mom pushed me to chase my dream. I love that title, “The Muva of DC Rap”!!! I’m going to have to put that on a shirt or something!
448 Suge: For sure, just make sure I get one when you make them. So growing up in DC is a very unique experience, you grew up in the good hope area known as “Choppa City”. How did that influence the way you approach making music?
Big Gilly: I grew up really knowing what it was like in the trenches. I have seen so much in that area. I have lived all over DC though, every quadrant; and they all taught me something different. I just feel like being from “Chop” made me just want to be complacent. We breed hustlers on that side. We gonna get to some money.
448 Suge: You ain’t never lied being from Dc one thing that’s always been true is that “Chopper City” definitely be in a bag. One thing I love about you is that you lead the charge in giving female rappers their flowers and congratulating them when they succeed; that’s sorely needed in today’s rap climate. So with that in mind when it comes to the female DMV rapper what do you think sets them apart from others in the industry and why should the game take notice of the DMV female rap scene?
Big Gilly: Thank you so much! When I say we have some talented women lawd DMV women are everything. Add the talent to it and it’s the perfect recipe. I feel like being from here you gotta know how to be a steppa and a bag chaser. The women are in their bags, we are not waiting on handouts, we are getting to it. Bars are heavy coming from here, the drip, the finesse the delivery, and our cadence are unmatched. Simply put DMV is next up!
448 Suge: So you recently released two major hits in “WAP vs RND” and “C U Again”, inked an artist development deal with Independent record label Bentley Records, and have been a staple in the DMV’s live music scene with shows all over the DMV in performing and more importantly, standing out in rooms with grammy winners and music industry behind the scene power players; talk about how hard you have been working this year? what put you in this beast mode you have been in or is this what has been inside all along?
Big Gilly: S/O to my brother Peanut the Villain for that feature and also Gifted for putting that together. Also big s/o to Krankington my producer for producing “C U Again“. It’s been a helluva year man! I have just been tryna make a name for myself the talent is there I just want the world to notice. Losing my father last year made me really push that pen. I went through a breakup then my cousin An’Twan Gilmore was killed by the police in August. It was a whirlwind of tragedy I took that and made it my creativity. I had some low moments, not the least of which is surviving 2 strokes in one year, I bounced back and got back to putting on the top-tier live shows I used to pre-stroke. I’m glad to be noticed even if it’s a few folks imma be a household name soon trust me!
448 Suge: Amen! I’m glad to see you back in great health and thriving. Know that your hard work is noticed; that’s why we are giving you your flowers right now. Big Gilly, you have been killing it and deserve all the success you have and will have.
Big Gilly: It’s definitely appreciated you always show me a ton of love!!!
448 Suge: Much love queen. So on top of being a bomb rapper, you are a bomb mother; how does being a mom factor into your life as a musician? Do you allow your children to hear your music? Do you alter what you may rap or speak about due to your kids possibly listening?
Big Gilly: Yes, I have 2 children I love them till the death of me! My daughter Jay is 16 and she is really just coming into her own. My son Mir is 3 and he has autism. It has been an amazing journey with them both. I just know I have kids to grind for. Something has to shake. I grind hard for them. My daughter understands it and my little cousins play my music. I don’t make kid-friendly music lol but they have heard it. I don’t really alter it because I make grown folks’ music. Eventually, imma do some kids-friendly nursery rhymes or something!
Suge: So, what can we expect from Big Gilly coming up? Are any shows or new projects being released?
Gilly: Well, you can expect a few new projects on the way. I wanna drop an EP every quarter. I have been looking into some acting roles, I’m working on some very fire merch and more videos. I’m always doing shows s/o to Blade and every other promoter that pushes me to every Pure venue Lounge, ZK Lounge, Wasted, Ocean and of course my loving DJ family. So expect Big Gilly to be everywhere you turn in 2023!
Suge: This question is the most important question of the interview and it really dictates who you are as a person in this world. There is no right answer only your answer (though one is obviously right) just answer it truthfully and as really as possible. Are you ready, here is the question: Pancakes or Waffles, and why?
Gilly: Lol this is definitely the biggest question I’m sorry imma go pancakes they are really the absolute best. They can have your fruit toppings and it’s a lot like life no matter how things go things can flip.
Thank you again for your time Big Gilly and we can’t wait to see what’s next!
