8.28.2020

Video: King Von – “How It Go”

The Chicago Rising Star Reflects on the Inequity of the Justice System and the Misery of Prison Life in His Latest Video Single

Critical Praise:

“King Von’s original ‘Crazy Story’ is the kind of thing hip-hop heads should crave: an immediate and distinct piece of cinematic rap that makes time for flirting and gangbanging all in one ferocious verse. The Chicago rapper details an attack on an opp that keeps you engrossed all the way to the very end” – The 405

“King Von’s incredibly vivid story-telling rhymes have propelled him to the forefront of Chicago drill rap.” – The FADER

“King Von excels in using his storytelling as a device to portray the struggle of growing up in Chicago.” – Pitchfork

The Video:

Making waves with his gritty delivery and tight storytelling, King Von is one of Chicago’s brightest rising stars. Applying his eye for detail and engaging story to an issue larger than himself, King Von shares “How It Go,” a reflective anthem. With a widescreen instrumental from Von’s constant collaborator Chopsquad DJ, “How It Go” is breathlessly intense, running through Von’s inner monologue as he vividly explains what life is like on the inside, and examines the impossible choices that land people in prison in the first place: “So what you gon’ do?/You gon’ rob or gon’ shoot?/You gon’ trap, you gon’ crack?/You gon’ win you gon’ lose?,” rhymes Von, “The D.A. on yo ass, you f*ck one time and yo ass goin’ back.”

Directed by Jerry Production, the video brings Von’s words into stark relief. It starts in a legal boardroom, as Von sits by helplessly as his lawyer and the city prosecutor decide his fate. The video progresses to prison, where Von struggles with isolation and fights with fellow inmates, before ending on the streets, where Von demonstrates just how hard it is to survive while escaping the trap. “How It Go” is the latest in a line of hard-hitting videos like the emotional “Why He Told“ (4.4 million YouTube views) and the the fiery Lil Durk collab “All These N****s“ (10.7 million views).

“How It Go,” “All These N****s,” “Why He Told” are Von’s first new songs since the release of LeVon James, Von’s latest album, released in March. Following up 2019’s successful Grandson Vol. 1 (over 350 million total streams), the album hosts the hit single “Took Her To The O“ (22 million views), recently spawning a Genius Verified video, as well as highlights like the G Herbo-collaboration “On Yo A**“ (8.3 million views) and the gripping street story “3 A. M.” (10 million views).

LeVon James is available everywhere via Only The Family/EMPIRE. Stay tuned for Von’s next project, due October.

Watch “How It Go”: https://youtu.be/WU6EHi410UQ

Buy/Stream “How It Go”: https://music.empi.re/howitgo

Buy/Stream LeVon James: https://empire.lnk.to/LevonJames

Please contact Michelle or Andrea for more info.

The Background:

King Von was born in the South Side of Chicago, growing up in O Block, the area that produced Chief Keef. After rightfully beating an erroneous murder charge that could have put him away for life, King Von took inspiration from heroes like Lil Wayne and turned to rapping, linking up with Lil Durk who signed him to his OTF label. Within six months, Von had a series of viral hits, including the sinister “Problems,” which has over 3.4 million views after its debut on Lil Durk’s YouTube channel, and the defiant “War Wit Us,” which has over 3.8 million YouTube views. With “Crazy Story” currently burning up urban radio (it recently reached #76 on the nationwide chart), Von seems to be on the fast track to translate his fervent local following into national fame.