Dr. iLL
Aiken, South Carolina, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2007 | INDIE
Music
Press
Zach Armstrong, of Aiken, proves that working in the music industry can mean more than just playing and recording your own music.
Armstrong, or “Dr. iLL,” opened his business iLL-Legit Records in Aiken in 2007.
He had just graduated from South Aiken High School.
“I started it up during the summer that I graduated,” he said. His business leased “studio time and offered my services as an audio engineer/producer,” he said.
Enlarge
His father helped him build the studio.
Armstrong’s business eventually expanded to function as a record label, as well.
“I wanted to release other talent around me,” he said.
Armstrong’s primary business goal is to “develop the best-quality hip-hop music in our region and provide it to the world,” he said.
Signed to his label are artists Mark Deez and Avarice, as well as Armstrong himself.
iLL-Legit Records has also produced music from artists E-Rilla and J-Lyric.
Right now, the primary band signed on to the label is one that includes Deez and Armstrong – Grindhouse Gang.
Also part of this hip-hop group is member Powder from Lexington.
The group’s CD “3 Assassins” will be released online at websites like Amazon and iTunes on Tuesday.
It features guest artists such as Young Buck, Canibus, Block McCloud and King Magnetic of the band Army of the Pharoahs.
Enlarge
Band member Powder designed the CD’s cover.
“This the biggest project of ours up to date,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong enrolled in USC Aiken after graduating high school.
There, he “reunited with my old childhood friend Israel Butler,” Armstrong said.
The two produced an “iLL-Legit Records street mixtape.”
The recording sold around 500 copies within two months.
Along the way of recording music and playing gigs, Armstrong met Deez and Powder.
Together, the three have performed around the Southeast.
Armstrong graduated from USCA in 2011.
At his studio, he oversees the overall operation from the company’s finances to its marketing.
Butler assists him.
Deez assists with the marketing.
Armstrong is originally from Pennsylvania.
He grew up in Aiken, as did most of his label’s clients.
“Music does not run in my family,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong taught himself how to engineer music.
He also plays the guitar and has deejayed at various events.
While attending USCA, he also assisted with the sound for several Etherredge Center events.
Right now, iLL-Legit is looking at signing more artists and releasing more music.
“There will be an official compilation project to showcase these artists’ talents, and I will choose artists for solo albums based on their performance on this project,” Armstrong said.
Grindhouse Gang has an upcoming gig in Georgia in May.
“One piece of advice I will advise anyone wanting to get into the music business is to work hard, stay on top of your finances, focus on the music ... remain humble, pay your dues and treat everyone with respect because you will never know who will help you out,” Armstrong said.
For more information, visit Doctor Ill’s page on Facebook or email Armstrong at management@ill-legitrecords.com. - The Aiken Standard
A USC Aiken Alumni is following his dream... (see URL for full article image) - The Pacer Times
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
With roots in the hardcore underground emcee hip-hop scene as well as the dirty south/trap underground rap scene, Dr. iLL is an underground legend in the south-east coast. Mostly known for his hardcore grimey vocal delivery and intricate rhyme schemes, Dr. iLL also has various vocal textures and lyrical styles in his flows. Dr. iLL is 1/3rd of the underground hip-hop trio Grindhouse Gang and owner of iLL-Legit Records and Money Laundry Studios (M.L.$.).
Dr. iLL has collaborated in the underground hip-hop world with the likes of Young Buck, Canibus, Keith Murray, NINE, Blaq Poet, Reef the Lost Cauze, iLL Bill, Chief Kamachi, Savage Brothers, & many more and has vocalized over production by world renowned German producers Snowgoons and legendary underground Philadelphia producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind of Jedi Mind Tricks.
Dr. iLL has a rich history in the subculture of underground hip-hop, but is also heavily involved in developing the street/trap scene of his region in south Carolina. Recently, he has progressed with his creative abilities and unique style further, blending with more contemporary production styles of hip-hop and has collaborated multiple times with Grammy award-winning platinum-selling Atlanta producer Zaytoven and has hosted/been featured on numerous street mixtapes by Carolina artists.
Dr. iLL has performed throughout the tri-state area of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia and beyond with close to 50 performances in the past year. Dr. iLL has toured the region with national headliners such as Lil Wyte, Jelly Roll, & Haystak.
Dr. iLL's group Grindhouse Gang has recently been signed to RBC Records and has an album available for pre-order until release in November of this year. Dr. iLL has also collaborated on some unreleased material with some industry heavy hitters yet to be named, independently of this situation.
Shows:
2015
Oct 31 @ GroundZero Spartanburg SC w/ Haystak
Oct 11 @ Shanes Tattoos 7th Dimension Fest, Augusta GA
Sept 23 @ Ground Zero, Spartanburg SC w/ Jelly Roll
Sept 22 @ Shiners, Greensboro NC w/ Jelly Roll
Aug 20 @ Boiler Room, Asheville NC w/ Lil Wyte
July 25 @ Boiler Room Asheville NC
July 9 @ Asheville Music Hall w/ Bubba Sparxxx
#JULY3RD @ CLUB AMBITION we got KING #YOWDA x TRACY T of MMG (MAYBACH MUSIC)
May 30th @ Aura Ultra Lounge, Beech Island #ImaFIGHTER #KILLCANCER BENEFIT CONCERT
June 1st @ Groundzero with TWIZTID
May 8th @ Stadium Sportsbar, Augusta GA
June 5 -7th Orion IL @ HillCrest Event Center #CountryBoyCookout Music Festival w/ Jelly Roll &more
April 22nd Jelly Roll and the Live experience Tour - Tremont Hall in Charlotte NC
April 21 Jelly Roll and the Live experience Tour - Aura Ultra Lounge Beech Island SC
April 20 Jelly Roll and the Live experience Tour - Ground Zero Spartanburg SC
April 3rd w/ Kalab King @ Aura Ultra Lounge Beech Island SC
March 24th w/ Lil Wyte @ Tremont Hall Charlotte NC
March 14 w/ Pastor Troy @ Aura Ultra Lounge
Feb 8 Ground Zero w/ Blizzafied/Benihana/E.Rilla
Feb 5 @ Marlboro Station TwerkOff Tour SSE GAng
Jan 31 TK N CASH @ Club Ambition Neeses SC
Jan 29 Ankeys E Rilla Blind Fury North Augusta SC
Jan 22 @ Marlboro Station Aiken SC
Jan 18 @ Stadium Sportsbar Augusta GA
Jan 16 @ GroundZero Spartanburg SC w/ Lil Wyte
Jan 9 @ Aura Ultra Lounge SC - Beech Island
Jan 8 @ Stadium Sportsbar w/ E. Rilla Augusta GA
Jan 1 @ Marlboro Station, Aiken SC w/ E. Rilla
2014
Dec 18 @ Marlboro Station, Aiken SC w/ Jones
Dec 11 @ Asheville Music Hall, Asheville NC w/ Cremro
Dec 10 @ New Brookland Tavern, Columbia, SC w/ GHG Blind Fury
Nov 18 @ Ground Zero w/ Haystak X Jellyroll
Nov 14 @ Club De Ville Charleston w/ FK FullKlip
Nov 13 @ Marlboro Station, Aiken SC
Nov 1 @ Club Ambition, Neeses SC
Oct 30 @ Marlboro Station, Aiken SC
Oct 24 @ Haywood Lounge, Asheville NC
Oct 22 @ GroundZero, Spartanburg SC
Oct 2 @ Marlboro Station w/ P-Nyce x Rock Dillon
Sept 24 @ La Roice, Columbia, SC
Sept 23 @ GroundZero, Spartanburg SC w/ Haystak
Sept 20 @ Harpos w/ P-Nyce, Augusta GA
August 8 @ Boiler Room, Asheville NC
August 1 @ Pandora, Augusta GA
July 31 @ Marlboro Station, Aiken SC
June 28 @ Edgefield, SC - Edgefield Music Festival
June 19 @ GroundZero, Spartanburg SC
May 3 @ Scorpion Club, ATL w/ Adlib
May 2 @ Club 1102, Augusta GA
May 1 @ Playoffz Sports Bar, Wellford SC w/ Reef Adlib
March 1 @ Haywood Lounge Asheville NC w/ Reef Adlib
Feb 28 @ Mirrors Nightlife SPartanburg SC w/ Reef Adlib
Band Members
Links
