Lil Freckles is desperately working to quit smoking. She’s tried everything from vape pens to wearing the patch. So far, nothing’s stuck, which is likely why her empowering video “Us Over Everything” as well as the cover art to her upcoming EP, Sleep On It, show the quirky rap upstart puffing on Parliament lights.
But away from the obvious cancerous, socially unacceptable reasons to leave the nicotine alone, Frecks explains to HipHopDX that she’s most concerned about her ability to to hold audiences while wheezing on stage. It’s the type of thinking common in those earnestly working to turn their passion into a profession.
Freckles hails from Westchester County, which she calls “the whitest place ever,” but now lives in Bushwick, Brooklyn. She worked as a PA on CBS’ The Good Wife before leaving to rhyme full time and has rocked independent shows across the five boroughs, building her reps in various open mic spots as well as comedy clubs because, as she’s found, her jocular jams translate well with both audiences. In 2014 Freckles appeared on an episode of HBO’s Girls performing her most widely known track “Dancin On The D,” but is now transitioning away from the “jokey stuff” to focus on serious emceeing. In November, she’ll take her talents to the #FunFunFunFest in Austin, TX.
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White female rappers are easily saddled with the dreaded Culture Vulture tag, which is something Lil Freckles understands comes with the territory. “I’m not here to disrespect anyone,” she says. “My favorite thing about rap is that it’s all about being who you are, supporting your friends and loving your mom. All I can do is be myself.”
Us over everything, indeed.
