10.9.2020
Video: King Von – “I Am What I Am” ft. Fivio Foreign (Prod. by Chopsquad DJ)
Chicago’s Best Storyteller Recruits a Brooklyn Bruiser to Find the Middle Ground Between Their Cities’ Drill Sounds
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:
Throwing his weight behind his forceful delivery as he delivers gleeful put-downs and taunts, King Von knows exactly who he is. Raising his energy level in a new single with Fivio Foreign, Von shares “I Am What I Am.” Produced by Von’s regular collaborator Chopsquad DJ, who borrows BK’s signature sliding 808s and apocalyptic synths, “I Am What I Am” combines the styles of original recipe Chicago drill and it’s UK-informed Brooklyn offshoot. Confident in themselves and what they represent for their cities, the emcees trade bars as they promise a bad time for anyone who looks at them the wrong way. The song is almost maniacally propulsive, driven by Fivio’s wild ad-libs and Von’s ice cold hook, which has the internal logic of a street nursery rhyme: “I am what I am/What I’m not, I’ll never be…And if I should die, I’m pushing the murder rate/My n****s gon’ slide everyday/You been talkin’ that sh*t, I can’t wait.”
Directed by Jerry Production, the video finds Von and Fivio bringing dozens of supporters to Von’s native O Block, as they sip Henny, count cash, and whip around in a Rolls Royce Wraith. The two emcees light up the block with their electric chemistry, evoking the chaotic DIY energy of the earliest Chicago and Brooklyn drill music videos.
“I Am What I Am” is the latest fiery video in a busy year for King Von. In August, the rapper shared the poignant video for “How It Go” (6.8 million views), a reflective anthem that contemplated the inequities of the criminal justice system. Earlier Von told a tale of betrayal with the emotional “Why He Told“ (6.2 million YouTube views) and connected with his mentor Lil Durk for the furious “All These N****s“ (21 million views).
In March, the 25-year-old rapper shared Levon James, a wide-ranging and successful project. Hosting the hit single “Took Her To The O“ (25 million views), recently spawning a Genius Verified video, as well as highlights like the G Herbo-collaboration “On Yo A**“ (9.4 million views) and the gripping street story “3 A. M.” (12 million views), LeVon James is available everywhere via Only The Family/EMPIRE.
Von is currently preparing to release his official debut album this Fall. Stay tuned for much more information about the upcoming album in the coming weeks.
Watch “I Am What I Am” ft. Fivio Foreign: https://youtu.be/JHixsTYXfso
Buy/Stream “I Am What I Am” ft. Fivio Foreign: https://music.empi.re/iamwhatiam
Please contact Michelle, Andrea, or Erin 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.
Links:
“I Am What I Am” ft. Fivio Foreign: https://music.empi.re/iamwhatiam / https://youtu.be/JHixsTYXfso
“How It Go”: https://music.empi.re/howitgo / https://youtu.be/WU6EHi410UQ
“All These N****s”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB2LmRyfXuk
“Why He Told”: https://empire.ffm.to/whyhetold | https://youtu.be/PLutQQzjig4
LeVon James: https://empire.lnk.to/LevonJames
“Took Her To The O”: https://youtu.be/hzt31eJTGxo
Grandson Vol. 1: https://empire.lnk.to/grandson1
“Crazy Story”: https://Empire.lnk.to/Crazystory // https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8NmE3H-zs