BandGang Lonnie Bands
Meet Top Midwest Rap Artist Coming from Detroit
Lonnie is a talented rapper from Detroit who has played a significant role in the growth of the city’s rap scene. Hailing from Detroit’s 6 Mile section, he started rapping with his high school friends and eventually formed a group called BandGang, which became a dominant force in the Detroit street rap scene.
Lonnie’s solo career took off in the late 2010s, with collaborations with Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Tee Grizzley and Sada Baby. However, tragedy struck in 2020 when two of his BandGang members and other loved ones were fatally shot in Detroit,AJ (aka Jizzle P) and PaidWill.
This led to a period where Lonnie lacked passion for his music, but the encouragement of his six-year-old daughter inspired him to return to recording with renewed intensity. He now takes his time with his craft and is determined to continue making music. Despite the challenges he has faced, Lonnie remains committed to his art and has been recognized as a future superstar by many in the industry.
“Foreva Rollin” featuring BIG30
BandGang Lonnie Bands Interview
Kulture Vulturez: Growing up as a kid, was the Detroit rap scene big as it is now?
BandGang Lonnie Bands: Nah, from my understanding. We looked at them like they were big artists, but they were not like worldwide artists though. One of the biggest rappers got killed, the other ones went to jail who started the shit, before they even had a chance.
Kulture Vulturez: How did you get started rapping?
BandGang Lonnie Bands: [When I started I was] probably like 15, 16 [years old]. Detroit a rapping ass city, like how New York used to move, and the OGs use to make us rap on the block.
Kulture Vulturez: With the Detroit rap scene being #1 and you are at the top of it, how does that feel?
BandGang Lonnie Bands: It’s a blessing. N**** went through some shit to get where a n**** at. It’s a blessing, I’m not going to complain about nothing, it beats being on the block any day.
“Hot” featuring EST Gee & The Big Homie
Kulture Vulturez: Did you ever see yourself reaching this level?
BandGang Lonnie Bands: Yeah. I always had it in my head, if I stay alive and out of jail, I’m going to make it.
Kulture Vulturez: With going through so much, what keeps you motivated and inspired?
BandGang Lonnie Bands: My kids, all the homies I have lost, all the homies in jail. I really lost everybody, for real. So, I have to keep it going.
Kulture Vulturez: Has your outlook on life changed?
BandGang Lonnie Bands: Hell yeah. I move like, I can say, I’m a grown ass man now. Thinking like a kid is going to put you in a blender. So, I really be real strategic on my moves and everything. Who I am around, who I have around, do not put nobody in harms way, it makes a n**** move totally right.
“Glocks & Choppas” featuring Young Nudy
Kulture Vulturez: What can listeners expect from your new project Hard 2 Kill?
BandGang Lonnie Bands: Man, they have to listen to it. First it starts, it takes you on a rollercoaster ride of my life for the last two years.
Kulture Vulturez: That’s where the meaning of it comes from, Hard 2 Kill?
BandGang Lonnie Bands: Yeah, that’s the meaning of it. I still have a bullet inside my head, it ain’t shit to glorify, but that’s what it is.
Kulture Vulturez: What should people be on the lookout for from you in the future?
BandGang Lonnie Bands: I have a deluxe after this. I have a bunch of joint mixtapes with my people, TF Entertainment. New videos dropping every week. I just dropped a new video with me and Big30, and another video is going to drop, we are going to keep it going.
Kulture Vulturez: Anything else?
BandGang Lonnie Bands: Shout to my fans, they family and I wouldn’t be shit without them.