The South Side rapper, DJ and entertainer talks viral hit ‘Top of Cars’, Chicago’s overlooked juke
Not every breakout moment comes with a warning. Lil M.U. is living proof of that. The Chicago South Side rapper, DJ and entertainer went from sharpening her craft on the dance floor to landing a viral hit that celebrities could not stop recreating. Top of Cars put her on the map. Her debut album Handful cemented her arrival. Now she is talking about what comes next and why Chicago has been sleeping on its own greatness for far too long.
Chicago’s reputation in music
Everybody is stereotyping it, just like they do in the news, saying that Chicago is just about killing and drugs. But really Chicago is more than that. It is for the culture. We dance. We are very talented. Right now everybody just knows us for the drill rapping, but we are just that and more. They need to portray the actual talent that comes through the city.
Did you know Top of Cars was a hit when you made it?
I knew Top of Cars was a hit, but I didn’t know it was a hit like this. I knew it was like, okay, this is gonna make you dance, but I didn’t know it was going to be this big and that quick. It surprised me, honestly.
How does your background in dance and DJing go into how you build records?
My background in dancing and DJing goes hand in hand with everything I do. Dancing and DJing gave me the platform to really perform and gave me the confidence to just be on stage doing whatever. My background just shaped who I am. The dancing added to it and made me a raw performer, an entertainer.
When you go to the studio, are you thinking club record, viral moment, or story first?
When I go to the studio, I don’t even think honestly. If the beat makes me dance, the lyrics kind of just come. I’m not thinking about what it’s going to be to the people. It’s really just, Does it make me dance? Okay, then I know it’s going to make everybody else dance.
What should people feel watching you perform?
Fun, excited, happy. That is what people should feel when they’re listening to my records and watching me perform.
What inspired the vibe of Top of Cars?
The beat inspired the vibe. I was already in Atlanta for New Music Mondays when my producer sent me the beat. I was in album mode but still trying to boost my name. He sent it and I was like, Hold on, I like this.’ The beat kind of just made the lyrics. I played it for my cousin and he was like, Yeah, you got to record that. So I went back home the next day, went in the studio, and here we are.
What moment made you realize you’re really one of them now?
I feel like I’m still not where I want to be. I still got some ways to go. But the moment I realized this was really something was when celebrities started doing TikToks to my stuff. It was like, okay, now it’s getting bigger than me. The people are saying I’m already on the scene, so you can’t argue with the people.
What are your goals?
My goal is to be world-renowned, to the point where you can’t deny me wherever I go. Everybody knows, that’s Lil M.U. That’s one of my goals. But also to network and work with the greats, like Missy Elliott.
As a female artist, what are you bringing to the game that’s missing?
What I’m bringing to the game is the fun side of Chicago. Jersey Club is really going viral for everybody, but I feel like nobody really knows Chicago. When you go to the club, all you hear is Footwork. We want to get known for what we do for real, because Chicago gets slept on.
What’s the next evolution for Lil M.U.?
I really don’t want to put a name on what I do. I want to make Juke a global thing, keep pushing Juke to the forefront so everybody can understand what it is. I’m going to stay in Juke, but I want to dabble in different things and be versatile. Juke is definitely going to be at the forefront.
What do you want first-time listeners to walk away saying?
I want them to be like, ‘Oh yeah, that girl makes me dance every time. She’s going to make me get up and do something regardless. Even if I can’t dance, she’s going to make me dance.’ That’s what I want them to walk away with. And just have fun.
Rapper or dancer?
Rapper. Rapping pays the bills and allows me to do dance. I don’t have to dance behind any artist for a penny. I am the artist. Now I get the money and I dance with my professional dancers who also get the money. I’m going to pick rapper every time.
Who is Lil M.U. and where does the name come from?
Lil M.U. is a professional dancer and entertainer. The name comes from my background in dance. I used to call my stage name ‘My Unique.’ The M and the U put together give you Lil M.U. I’m little but I’m the biggest. Follow Lil M.U. on Instagram and TikTok at iamlilmu.