Von stood out among an oversaturated and increasingly outdated field of drill music with his unique vocal approach, adding excitement to intricate narratives through lively vocal performances that animated early rap songs by accentuating intricate stories with vibrant vocal phrasing.
Lil Durk signed him to his Only the Family label in 2019, where he released his debut mixtape Grandson Vol 1 featuring higher-profile features like YNW Melly and NLE Choppa.
1. His lyrical style
King von autopsy was raised in Chicago’s O Block neighborhood and spent much of his adolescence incarcerated, before beginning rapping upon release and becoming popular throughout the city. Lil Durk noticed him, helping him secure an audience via OTF label; early singles like the captivating narrative of robbery-turned shootout “Crazy Story” saw some success with listeners; it wasn’t until 2020 when his songs such as “Took Her to the O” and his “Crazy Story” series truly made waves across audiences globally.
On these tracks, he tells tales from his gang life with an acute sense of nihilism softened by empathy and his distinct flow creates a unique style of storytelling in music.
2. His flow
King Von was one of the pioneers in post-drill music, inspired by first generation drill stars like G Herbo and Chief Keef while creating his own stylistic aesthetic within the genre. His songs featured narrative storytelling laced with empathy and humor for an unsettling yet relatable message.
His rhyme schemes were exquisite and always kept audiences intrigued with their in your face delivery style. He collaborated with high profile artists like Lil Durk and YNW Melly during his rapping sessions.
Born Dayvon Daquan Bennett in Chicago’s O Block neighborhood on the South Side and often spending time behind bars, Bennett began rapping full time in 2018. Signing with Lil Durk’s Only the Family collective, his breakout single was “Crazy Story”, featuring vivid details and clever asides that established him as one of a rare few modern rappers to excel at storytelling – something supported by both his catalog and 2020 mixtape Grandson.
3. His storytelling
King Von Rapper used beats as a powerful medium to tell stories with music. His drill music featured narrative arcs that featured both harsh nihilism and playful empathy and humor – this made for engaging listening experience for listeners of all types.
Lil Durk noticed Von’s fluid storytelling style and signed him to his OTF entertainment label. Since then, Von has created several mixtapes and studio albums before passing away in 2006.
He came into his own in 2018 with the release of “Crazy Story,” cementing him as one of hip-hop’s premier storytellers. Utilizing sinister drill production as his canvas, he painted vivid pictures of Chicago’s crime-ridden O Block neighborhood.
Shorty and Wayne were two street figures who found themselves locked in an emotional war against one another, culminating in an unforgettable scene: Shorty weeping at Wayne’s funeral suit-and-tie wearing and his aunt telling him “Whoever did this gon’ die”.
4. His chemistry with Lil Durk
Dayvon Daquan Bennett, better known by his stage name King Von Rapper, hails from Chicago’s South Side and joined the Black Disciples gang at a young age before beginning music studies in 2016. Although Grandson Vol. 1 didn’t garner much acclaim upon release in 2016, Welcome to O’Block 2020 was his breakthrough record with features by Lil Durk that expanded his brand significantly.
“Crazy Story,” one of the album’s standout tracks, tells an engaging tale about an attempted robbery turned shootout and is also the first time fans can witness how well these two collaborate together as a pair.
Actually, the duo reunited for several more songs throughout both projects – What It Means to Be King and its posthumous sequel What It Means to Be King II. On “Jump”, they showcase an easygoing duet that highlights both mindsets at work in soundtracking a house party environment. Furthermore, they reunite on “Evil Twins” and “Too Real.”
