Money Man on Working With Lil Baby, Paying Respects to Kobe Bryant & Expanding Beyond Hip-Hop
Written by Carl Lamarre on January 19, 2024
This week, Money Man tapped in with Billboard on Threads to speak about his origins, working with Lil Baby on “24s,” paying respect to the late Kobe Bryant, and more.
With an expansive resume, including double-digit projects to his name, including his 2023 effort, Red Eye, read below and get familiar with the Atlanta dynamo.
On His Rap Origins & Paying Homage to Kobe Bryant:
While many people associate Money Man with his Atlanta ties, his roots initially originated in The Bronx, as he revealed during his conversation with Billboard.
“I listen to music from Atlanta and the East Coast, so my music vibes with both areas,” he said. “I have a mix of both cities in my DNA.”
Money Man’s most notable song, “24,” earned the remix treatment when one of Atlanta’s biggest stars, Lil Baby, graced the record. The track paid homage to the late Kobe Bryant, and according to Money Man, the shout-out to the Lakers great was a late addition.
“In the song, I said, ‘RIP Kobe Bryant,’ who had just passed away,” he notes. “The track had a crazy sound, and that line was heartfelt. [EMPIRE founder] Ghazi [Shami] suggested adding Lil Baby, and I agreed.”
On Wanting to Collaborate in the Pop & Afrobeats Space:
Money Man’s collaborations run deep, as he’s previously partnered up with Larry June, Key Glock, DaBaby, and more. While Money savors the chance to link up with some of today’s hottest rappers, he hopes to one day swerve into the Pop and Afrobeats space, if given the right opportunity.
“I’m always down to work with whoever wants to work with me,” he explains. “I think some pop and afrobeats artists would be dope.
On His Prolific Track-Record:
Since 2016, Money Man has proven to be a formidable threat on the mixtape circuit with his extensive catalog. With over a dozen mixtapes to his name, including his most recently released effort, 2023’s Red Eye, he revels in the thought of being consistent and satisfying his core.
“I live an exciting life, and I’m always taking in new information, so I have a lot to get off my chest,” he says. “I have such a diverse audience so each one of my albums and mixtapes are for a specific group of people. You’ll know when you hear the first song. I want to give them music that they can relate to.”
Last week, Money Man released his first record of 2024 with “Servin Myself.” Listen below.
