The Boy Illinois

William Dalton (born January 4, 1987), professionally known as Illi and formerly The Boy Illinois, is an American rapper from Chicago. He is of Haitian descent, which he pays tribute to in his album Jean Baptiste, along with his Chicagoan roots.Kelly, Christina (August 1, 2013). "The Come Up: The Boy Illinois". XXL. In 2017, he signed to Priority Records.
He was an opening act for fellow American rapper Lupe Fiasco's Tetsuo & Youth Preview Tour in 2013 and the support act for Tour for the Fans in 2016.Kyles, Yohance (June 9, 2016). "Exclusive: The Boy Illinois Talks Touring with Lupe Fiasco, Upcoming Project & Embracing His Haitian Roots". AllHipHop.
== Background ==
In an interview with The Source, Dalton explained how he met Fiasco through people in the same network, where he's "known Lupe for maybe a year or two now. We know similar people and we communicate through those vessels." He continued, "My manager called me and was like 'You're going on tour' and I was like 'With who?' He was like 'I can't tell you right now 'cause they haven't announced it, yet.' I was like 'Cool.' Then he called me back 30 minutes later and told me I'm about to go on tour with Lupe Fiasco. It was like, crazy because that's my favorite rapper and it's a very humbling experience to be opening up for him on a nationwide tour.""Exclusive Interview: Lupe Fiasco's Tour Opening Act The Boy Illinois". The Source. December 15, 2013.
Meanwhile, he told Scoop B Radio, "First of all, that's one of my favorite artists. It was dope because he is one of my favorite artists and it was like: 'damn I'm about to open up the whole tour for this guy.' And you just soak up game. Like the first show in Atlanta, I just sat and watched his whole set up and sound check like I was just amazed. I had never been at a level of this magnitude. So I'm trying to learn everything that I can but then after like the 10th show it was like: 'I don't even want to see your show no more because it's the same shit every night.' But after a while you kind of get the hang of it and I'm a quick learner and I pick up things quick."Robinson, Brandon (June 8, 2017). "The Boy Illinois on First Time Opening for Lupe Fiasco: "I Was Just Amazed"". Respect. To XXL, he shared, "He's an interesting person; very interesting. He's exactly what you think he would be. I learned a lot from him, just being out on the road. And that's what kind of caused my hiatus from putting projects out."Coe, Kairi (February 20, 2018). "The Boy Illinois Plans to Drop Two New Albums in 2018". XXL.
== Gallery ==
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== References ==
Category:People
Category:Rappers