In what ways did making the 2014 XXL Freshmen cover change your career?

Lil Bibby: That was a good look for me because I feel like that’s the cover everyone wants to be on, ya know? I also noticed after the cover when I’d be in different places like LA or Atlanta, more people would recognize me and know who I am. A lot of people were also talking about the freestyle I did [for the XXL cover story] too.

Talk about the rap scene in Chicago. How do you fit in?

LB: I’m cool with Durk, Reese, of course Herb. I met Keef a couple times earlier in his career, but I don’t really know him like that. He’s cool though. Yea man, I feel like I fit in well. I’m cool with a lot of these Chicago rappers. Chance The Rapper is cool too.

What are you working on now? Free Crack 3 coming soon?

LB: Haha, “Free Crack 3”. I think I wanna do like a EP, I wanna try something for sale. I can’t just keep giving out mixtapes, ya know? I think [the fans] get used to that when you just keep giving them stuff for free, and then when you try to sell something after giving them so much for free, they’re like, “well where’s the free project?” [laughs].

But, I am going to do a Free Crack 3 and that’s gonna be the last one. I’ll probably put it out later next year, after the EP.

Who are some producers and artists you’re working with?

LB: I got Justice League on a couple joints, I got Young Chop on a couple joints, maybe Nick Nack, maybe Mustard, a few more Chicago guys too. I got a song with Rich Homie that I want on the EP. Maybe something with Rich Homie, Herb, maybe like Jeremih, definitely wanna get him on a song. Chance The Rapper too.