Today we’d like to introduce you to Conner Smith.
Hi Conner, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, My name is Conner smith, also known by my Artist name “Lil Prip.” I was born an only child in Alpena, Michigan, and lived there until I was about 6. A little later my family moved to Williston, North Dakota, because my dad got a job to work on the oil rigs during the oil boom that was happening there, and things were good but over the years that we lived there, my parents got into drugs and ended up getting divorced. After that, my mom and I moved back to my hometown of Alpena, and my dad went on to do tree work in various states. I went on going to public schools in the area and I’ve lived in the city of Alpena since then.
Thinking back on it, I always loved music as a kid, from having a guitar hero on the Xbox to playing Just Dance on the Wii.
When I first started listening to music on my own, one of the first songs that really got me into rap was the song “Trap Queen- by. Fetty Wap “. When I got into about 7th grade, I decided I wanted to be a rapper as a career, I had no interest in anything other than photography and skateboarding.
So I came up with the name “Lil Prip” and went with it. My first song was on SoundCloud in 2017, and it was just me rapping into my phone.
A few years go by of me not making any music, and I end up getting a chance to record at an at-home studio when I’m 16, and I decide I’m gonna do this for real. But after I think things are going well for me, everything seems to crumble.
First of all, my Father ended up Passing away from an accidental overdose.
A new months later, my grandparents and mom forced me to go to a Quasi Military Academy for 6 months.
I got my high-school diploma a year early going to that academy but I still wasn’t happy, Once I got back home from the academy, I decided it was time for me to take my career seriously and try to make it somewhere, and ever since I’ve been on the music grind,
getting further and closer to my goals.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
Well, I’d say it hasn’t been too smooth, but not been too rocky, either. I had to use what I had at the time to record music, so I just rapped into my phone and released it on SoundCloud. I didn’t make any music for a couple of years after, but I was still active with the rap community.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Music Artist and Model, I mainly make Dark rap / Hyperpop music,
But I make many more genres.
I’m most proud of my Hyperpop songs because I get a lot of good feedback from them. I’m versatile and unique because there’s nobody else out that is like me im one of one.
I make songs with any genre I feel like making at that moment- like hyperpop, rock, Detroit style rap, hip hop, all of it.
Networking and finding a mentor can positively impact one’s life and career. Any advice?
I am still looking for a mentor that matches what I need in a mentor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/lilprip92
- Instagram: thcprip
- Facebook: Conner Smith
- Twitter: @lil_prip
- Youtube: Lil Prip
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/GHodvaT9NpRhQkgB9
Image Credits:
Picture credit- PYRO
