The sound of skates cutting across fresh ice still lingers in THINK SCHILLING’s muscle memory as he steps into the vocal booth. The former hockey phenom-turned-rap force brings the same explosive energy that once dominated rinks to his music career, and the results are just as electrifying. His latest single “Sexy Slide” isn’t just a song – it’s a seismic event, blending trap’s aggressive swagger with club-ready bounce that demands movement. “When I’m on the mic, it’s the same focus I had facing down goalies in overtime,” SCHILLING reveals between takes at a Los Angeles recording studio. “That competitive fire never left – it just found a new arena.”
SCHILLING’s musical transformation reads like a Hollywood script. After hanging up his skates, the athlete discovered an unexpected talent for rhythm and rhyme during late-night freestyle sessions with friends. What began as post-game decompression quickly evolved into an all-consuming passion. “Hockey taught me discipline, but hip-hop set me free,” he explains. His sound – a potent cocktail of Atlanta trap influences, New York lyrical precision, and his own indefatigable energy – has been described as “arena rap,” equally suited for headphones or packed venues. Industry insiders are already drawing comparisons to early Drake in the way he blends athletic swagger with undeniable musicality.
The making of “Sexy Slide” reveals SCHILLING’s meticulous approach. Working with Grammy-nominated producer S.Dot (credited simply as “S. Dot” in the liner notes), the track went through seventeen iterations before achieving its final form. “We wanted that perfect balance between hard-hitting and danceable,” SCHILLING recalls. “The hi-hats needed to be cut like skate blades, the bass had to hit like a body check.” The result is a sonic adrenaline rush that’s been burning up playlists since its release, with TikTok challenges already emerging around its signature “slide” dance move.
What truly sets SCHILLING apart in today’s crowded rap landscape is his athlete’s mindset applied to music. While many artists wait for inspiration, he treats studio sessions like training camps – showing up at the same time daily, running through vocal exercises with the precision of hockey drills, and studying rap’s greats with the same intensity he once devoted to game film. “In hockey, you don’t wait to feel like practicing – you show up and put in the work,” he says. “Music’s no different.”
This discipline is paying dividends as SCHILLING prepares to drop his next single, “Therapy,” which promises to show a more introspective side of the artist. “It’s still got that energy, but now we’re going deeper,” he hints. Industry whispers suggest collaborations with A-list producers and surprise features are in the works as he prepares for a 2025 mixtape release.
Between studio sessions, SCHILLING maintains an almost obsessive connection with his growing fanbase, dubbed “The Power Play Crew.” His social media channels offer unprecedented access – from behind-the-scenes studio footage to nostalgic hockey highlights juxtaposed with current rap freestyles. “The fans who rode with me from hockey days deserve to see this journey up close,” he says.
As our interview wraps, SCHILLING glances at the Stanley Cup playoffs playing silently on the studio monitor. “That could’ve been me out there,” he muses before turning back to the microphone. “But this? This is where I’m meant to be now.” With plans for touring, merchandise blending hockey and hip-hop aesthetics, and whispers of major label interest, THINK SCHILLING isn’t just crossing over from sports to music – he’s redefining what’s possible for athlete-artists in the streaming era.
Key Details:
- Stream “Sexy Slide” on all platforms
- Follow @ThinkSchilling for exclusive content
- “Therapy” single drops August 15
- 2025 mixtape in production
- Limited edition hockey jersey/merch drops coming this fall
“I don’t make songs – I make energy transformations.” – THINK SCHILLING