JOEY PURP is redefining what it means to hustle. As a byproduct of Chicago’s eclectic neighborhoods, from Lincoln Park to Garfield Bridge, the 22-year-old has become one of the pillars of the SaveMoneycrew: a group of hard knock success stories that’s cultivated ambition from the onset while providing a relatable voice for the city’s youth and beyond. They’ve made beats for the sake of making beats and revived gospel and footwork, but they’ve also inspired one another to be something bigger.

The proof is in Purp’s latest project, iiiDrops, The 11-track effort features the likes of Chance, Vic Mensa, Saba, Mick Jenkins, theMIND, and Knox Fortune, and it’s a definitive coming out party for an MC that tackles flows like a Chicago Bears linebacker. His charisma shines through via booming horns and an effortless bravado on “Photobooth” and “Morning Sex”, but when he’s not chest-thumping over spikes of energy, Purp’s anxious to disclose his personal views. “White kids deal with problems that we never knew to bother,” he raps on “Cornerstore”. “Arguing with they dads, we pray we ever knew our fathers”.

With iiiDrops being a sleeper hit, we recently caught up with the Chicago native for a quick chat about his new project, SaveMoney, and why he’s focused on making “dope shit”.

READ THE INTERVIEW HERE