Hailing from Chicago’s historically troubled Southside, rapper-singer-songwriter Calvin “Calboy” Woods used to keep a million things locked in his head & in his heart. The remarkable and unparalleled young talent grew up in an impoverished neighborhood that was often referred to as a war-zone, a landscape of gangs, crime and violence, where anything could happen at any time. Daily threats or elements of danger were a way of life. Music became Calboy’s outlet; his therapy. For over a decade, the 24 year-old modern rap celebrity has been digging deep into his soul taking listeners on a sonic ride and re-defining the soundtrack of the streets in the process. 

Despite not quite fitting in, Calboy brought home decent grades as an above average student performing at an average level. Instead of applying his brainpower to do schoolwork, he spent his time watching YouTube videos on whatever topic he needed to figure out at the moment to push his music career ambitions forward, from the creative to the business side. “I knew I wanted to do music since I was 10,” recalls Calboy. “I always felt that in my heart even at that age. Every dollar I got hustling, I put it towards me learning how to be a rapper in every aspect. I jacked up my mom’s whole closet with the hustle and flow studio set-up. I always envisioned me doing my thing; doing my music and I never let that dream go. It only got more and more serious. I went to school, came home and did music. And then I developed a real talent on everything from making beats to engineering to singing.” 

 

Unchained, Calboy’s first project under his own label, Loyalty & Company, represents his independence and emancipation from the shackles of RCA. The 12-song collection chronicles the soldier’s life following his public and private battles, be it for artistic freedom, lingering grief or industry feuds. On his resurgence track, “On My Own,” the multi-gifted artist raps about balancing his demons and divinity in a rapid-fire flow over booming 808s. The cinematic visuals for the single brazenly reaffirm Calboy’s allegiance to his crew as well as emphasize his visionary and revolutionary spirit outside the major label machine. We find Calboy in aspirational hustler mode on the title cut “Unchained,” narrating a heartfelt yet heated testimony atop a soulful piano-laced beat about his current journey while reminiscing about where he comes from. He spits with a ferocious hunger, raising the intensity, on the “Chains Off” freestyle, while on “Paperwork” and “Bad Management,” his impassioned and relentless rhymes seethe with rebellion and rumination, influenced by self-examination.

Calboy’s million + followers have come to love and respect his extraordinary strength as well as the lyrical heat and heart he rhymes with harmonious vigor. He’s endured the pain of several lifetimes yet he knows his impact is amplified as a result of it; his innermost thoughts connecting cross-cultural communities spanning the globe. Rising above the drama with a refined game plan, Calboy is focused on two things: feeding the streets and building an empire. “Since I was a kid, I told my family I was the golden one. I recognized my gift early and I figured out the rest despite my circumstances. I’m truly chosen for this. I’m a warrior.”

Listen: https://create.ffm.to/onmyown

Images: 

Photography by Mastermind Fotoo 

Styling by Brandy Penelope