Lil Pak, born Malik Arif is a Pakistani American Hip Hop Artist born in Abbottabad, Pakistan and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He discovered his love for music at a very early age. Growing up listening to legendary artists such as Lil Wayne, TuPac, and Drake. Lil Pak knew that he would one day dedicate his life to music. At the age of 17 he had written several songs and was given the opportunity to record his first single titled “Alone.”
In 2017 the stars aligned, and he was granted the opportunity to collaborate in the studio with Hip Hop Superstar Gunna. By the end of the recording session, Lil Pak and Gunna created the track No Heart”. Lil Pak is set to release his highly anticipated single “Anthem’.
The upcoming artist sat down with Industry Rules to discuss his career and his next move.
AF: How did you get involved in the music industry?
LP: My best friend, who passed away several years ago due to gun violence, asked me to go to the studio with him to make a song but when we were at the recording studio the producer had heard about me and had a beat ready to put my vocals to and I made my first song.
AF: Who are some of the artists that inspire you and your work? Why?
LP: Two artists that have inspired me and I would love to have the opportunity one day to work with are Lil Wayne, and Drake. Both of those great artists have influenced me and motivated me to do music and to one day be where they are at musically.
AF: The culture of Hip Hop is now global with a reach to several geographical locations throughout the world. Can you share how it has impacted Pakistani culture as a whole?
LP: Hip Hop Culture has inspired many geographical locations to do music. The culture has gained a notable traction in the Pakistan community that has the Pakistani Hip Hop artists that rap in their Native tongue. You can see the impact in the Pakistan community of how the music has changed in the last 10 years.
AF: What was your most memorable moment being in the music industry?
LP: My most memorable moment is when one of the very first music videos hit 1 million views. It was truly a blessing for me to share that moment with my friend who passed away.
AF: Take me through the steps of song preparation when you’re in the studio?
LP: I first pick out a beat that best fits what I am feeling at the moment. I create the hook that I love, and after I have the hook I construct a great verse. Within that verse I either rap or sing, sometimes I just freestyle on the beat before I actually create the track.
AF: Who has been your biggest critic? How did you implement that criticism into your overall artist development?
LP: My biggest critics are myself, my biological brother, and my manager. I have a great team around me that is teaching me all about working hard, being consistent, being professional, and overall being a great artist.
AF: What’s next for you and your brand?
LP: Continue to build my music career and be a global superstar. I want to be able to take care of my family, start my own record label. I want to build a solid foundation that I can pass down to my kids whenever that day comes. I want to be able to help poor kids back in Pakistan that probably never have the opportunity I have.
You can follow Lil Pak’s career via his Instagram, @LilPakMan.
