ILL QUIL
West philadelphia, Pa
When someone hears about West Philadelphia, they immediately want to revert to the hit show “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and rap the lyrics to its intro. But while many greats have been born and raised there, the fact remains that there is only one ILL QUIL. And whether you know it or not, he’s making strides on the music scene with a sound that speaks for itself and creativity that will leave you wanting more.
Born as Aaquil Clarke, this lyrical beast started making music at the tender age of 14. It was obviously in his DNA because once he started, he couldn’t stop. And 3 short years after his beginning, he released his sound to the masses. His very first performance was at the 69th Street Comedy & Artist Showcase. That day, he proved that not only was he a talented writer and rapper, but his vocal ability was undeniable.
As many artists have a story and passion all their own, he contributes the genesis of his grind to the passing of his mother. It was a defining moment and he had to not only recognize who he was all along, but become that person unapologetically. Plus he had seeds to provide for.
Experiencing another personally traumatic occurrence in being shot, the alarms rung loudly and he finally woke up on himself! He realized that if he didn’t respect his gift and go hard, nobody else would. He even learned the hard way that blood wouldn’t always be in your corner. So that’s exactly what he did…he made a decision to go hard and begin leaving his footprints.
If you’re wondering what that grind encompasses, it’s not one that can be boxed in or minimalized. The sound of ILL QUIL covers R&B, Hip-Hop, and Reggae mixed with a bit of Poetry. It’s unique and versatile, with the innate ability to reach audiences exactly where they are, no matter where they are! It’s all about feeling and embodying sounds that touch the heart and massage the soul of each listener.
Who influences ILL QUIL? While some from West Philadelphia would attribute other musical legends who’ve come from the city, Mr. Clarke finds solace in his children. His inspiration comes from them, along with the black culture that he’s immensely proud to be part of. And undoubtedly, the pain and depression that he’s become all too familiar with throughout his life have actually fueled and pushed him to be a creative genius.
Today, you can find ILL QUIL being a father. You can find him preparing himself mentally and physically for his next level. You can find him mastering his sound and creating songs that speak truth. He’s constantly improving himself so that he can give the world the best part of what he offers.
Almost weekly, he’s droppin’ new music. And he hasn’t even touched the surface of where he’s headed. You can find his music on YouTube, Sound Cloud, iTunes, and more! With hits like “Honest” and “You Kno $” (to name a few), ILL QUIL is definitely showing the game that he’s here to stay. He’s not competing with anybody, but he’s simply making it known that it’s HIS time and he IS taking his spot on the scene.
You can catch him opening up for Philly Freeway on the state property tour October 2018. Follow by his very own showcase in April 13,2019 “FSE Pt. 1 iLL & FRIENDS”! He’s also in the lab and will be featured on a couple of projects and singles showcasing some of Philly’s greatest. Follow him on all social media outlets to stay updated on this legend in the making!
iLL QUiL’s tracks
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