EQUATE Meets LILHUDDY

Among the many TikTokers that are transitioning to becoming professional musical artists, LILHUDDY stands out. At the forefront of the new pop-punk era, Chase Hudson stands alongside the likes of MGK, YungBlud, Mod Sun and more, who are capturing the attention of the post-internet adolescence with their fresh hybrid of pop, punk and alternative style music. Born into a certified musical family in Stockton, California, LILHUDDY would sing amongst them, but never in public. He then found his way onto TikTok, and with a unique fashion style and an unmistakable presence, he has amassed over 1.6 billion likes to date, his name recognised as one of the platforms biggest, alongside the likes of the D’Amelio sisters and the Hype House (a collective of stars he himself is in). In 2020, LIL HUDDY returned to music, with a signing to Polydor Records, and his first single ‘21st Century Vampire’ amassing 22.5 million streams to date, creating a dominant entrance into the musical space.

His latest entry is ‘America’s Sweetheart’ which showcases a softer side to Chase’s artistry - inspired by “the worst night of his life”, the video features fellow TikTok megastar Charlie D’Amelio, and the dreamlike visuals lean into the songs powerful instrumentation and production.

Words & Interview by Oliver-James Campbell

EQ: You’re at the forefront of this incredible new emo/pop-punk wave right now, along with MGK, and I wanted to know how you feel about the scenes re-emergence?

LH: I feel so excited, I feel nervous but excited to see what new artists are going to come from this and onto the scene. To be one of the people to help bring it back and push this new era of the genre is something I’m super stoked about. I never went into music thinking I was going to impact the pop-punk scene; it’s something I’m having fun with and seeing where it takes me. To see it’s already taken me so far in such a short space of time is mind-boggling, it’s crazy.

EQ: ‘21st Century Vampire’ and ‘The Eulogy of You and Me’ have such strong aesthetics. You’re like a 1950s greaser mixed with a character from The Lost Boys – did you always have this style of dress?

LH: Honestly, my aesthetic did take me a while to find. I’ve gone through many fashion phases, but I’ve always wanted to be this badass kid! I’ve always wanted to express myself through everything I did, and it made sense to start with my dress. A lot of what I wear is dark and scary to some people, but others see it as expression in the same way I do.

EQ: You’ve got the legendary Travis Barker on production and famed director Joseph Kahn on visuals - What is it like to be surrounded by such veterans?

LH: Joseph’s crazy. The way he works is unreal. He’s a god at what he does. Travis is also insane to just watch. When he’s tracking a recording everyone else is silent, all eyes on Travis just watching every move that he makes. Both Joseph and Travis take their jobs very seriously, and so to see two people that have just been killing it for years do what they do… you just show up and watch and are completely in awe. I’m so grateful to be able to work with them!

EQ: What do you think of this Polygon article, that has argued the current ‘TikTokcore’ scene has come from COVID-19, with everyone stuck inside? Mod Sun spoke about how musical styles are meshing in ways they have never done before, such as rap and pop-punk.

LH: I think those that had music in mind ended up pushing forward with it because of the newfound free time that they had. A lot of people have wanted to become musicians for years now and to be able to finally be able to do it and just have all the time in the world to create music and perfect their style and talent is awesome. But I don’t think people just got bored during the pandemic and started just making music because whatever. Those people have wanted to do it regardless. I’ve found it helpful to have the time and opportunity to craft it.

I’m going to be definitely trying things people have never tried before over these next couple of years, people aren’t going to really expect a lot of what I do but rap being in the picture is definitely something I’ve been looking at doing over the next course of the years or whatnot. I might tip my toes in the water, see what happens!

“…I don’t think people just got bored during the pandemic and started just making music - Those people have wanted to do it regardless. I’ve found it helpful to have the time and opportunity to craft it.”

EQ: I know you were in MGK’s groundbreaking piece, ‘Downfalls High’. Talk to me about that experience, and what MGK has done for this new scene.

LH: My experience in Downfalls High was amazing, I loved everything about it. I loved the cast, I loved the people. I just had a blast, It was really fun. I was just goofing off most of the time! MGK is doing a fantastic job at bringing around this new wave and a new era of pop-punk. All this kind of pressure must be so much on him, but right now he’s unstoppable and continuously exploding. He’s killing it and I’m so proud of him.

EQ: Who are some of your older musical influencers? I know you’ve mentioned Green Day, which is no surprise given your style of music.

LH: I think Queen might be one of my bigger inspirations. When I watched the film Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time it really moved me. I already liked Queen, but seeing the film changed my perspective on them. I like the way they mixed literally every genre – it’s so interesting musical-wise. I loved KISS as well, their aesthetic.

EQ: What do you think about the rise of artists on TikTok, and how the platform has changed the game? For example, you can go viral for one song and now because of TikTok, it’s everywhere.

LH: TikTok has definitely changed music. Doja Cat’s ‘Say So’ was a song I heard for the first time – the first hundred times - on TikTok, then it was all over the radio, it was literally everywhere! I think people often have a misconception of TikTok and TikTokkers; we’re all performers, it’s just a matter of whether or not you chose to see us go and live on to show our other talents or what else we want to present to the world. We’re putting on a show for the internet, so we can put on a show in real life. A lot of people are now starting to figure that out, I think.

EQ: As a successful TikToker before the music, you never had to do this, so for you, is this what you absolutely love to do?

LH: More than anything. It brings me joy in an unexplainable way - making music. I don’t feel at home or heart-warmed, in the same way, doing anything else. Listening to music, writing music, recording it, all of it. I fell in love with all of it, and I won’t be stopping any time soon.

EQ: Top 5 venues to perform in once this whole pandemic is over?

LH: I mean, one day, I’d love to perform in Madison Square Garden. One day. I saw a BTS concert at the Rose Bowl so I want to perform there now. That shit was so fun, and it would be cool to perform at the same places where my favourite concerts have been held. The O2 arena is really iconic as well. But literally wherever! Point to a place on the map and put some people in a building and I’ll perform there! I can’t wait to get out there.

EQ: Lastly, what can we expect from ‘The Vampire of Melrose Ave’ in the future?

LH: A fucking amazing album. Prepare for tears but lots of joy. Get ready for it!

Watch the visuals for ‘America’s Sweetheart’ below…

YouTube/LILHUDDY

Stream “America’s Sweetheart” HERE

Follow LILHUDDY on socials:

TikTok: @lilhuddy

Instagram: @lilhuddy