The Cleveland underground rap scene that birthed pioneers like Rushhybandz and Marii Jetz never truly disappeared—it just found new life in artists like Lil KMV. With a sound rooted in the Midwest’s gritty, hypnotic bounce and the raw energy of Chicago drill, KMV is carving his own lane while paying homage to the artists who paved the way. “My influence is really based off that Midwest, mid-East sound—216 Cleveland and Chicago,” he says, name-checking icons like Chief Keef and Chxpo. For KMV, music isn’t just a craft; it’s a survival tactic, a way to turn struggle into something undeniable.
Lil KMV’s music hits like a late-night streetlight flickering over concrete—unpolished, urgent, and real. His recent drops, including the hard-hitting #MOT2#FckB2##, are more than just tracks; they’re dispatches from the trenches, blending drill’s menace with Cleveland’s signature plugg flow. “Life is gonna life regardless if I’m making music or not,” he shrugs, a nod to the hustle that defines his journey. But his pride isn’t just in the grind—it’s in the reach. “Music being global,” he says when asked about his proudest moment, a testament to his ambition to transcend the block.
The road hasn’t been easy. KMV is blunt about the pitfalls of trust in the game: “Fucking with hella niggas’ll hold you back without you knowing.” His advice to newcomers? “Let that bitch choose. Niggas don’t stay true—focus on your blues.” It’s a mantra he lives by, whether he’s plotting his next move or connecting with fans on Instagram, where he’s building a base hungry for his unfiltered vision. “I wanna get big enough to afford everything, to go on tour,” he admits, but for now, the focus is on the music—and the loyalty of those who ride with him.
What’s next? More heat, more clarity, and no looking back. “From the bottom of my heart and the power of my soul, I love every single one of y’all,” he says. “I’m standing on this shit 10 toes.” With a growing catalog and a chip on his shoulder, Lil KMV isn’t just representing Cleveland—he’s rewriting its legacy.