LLV Ushers in a New Wave of Transparency in Chicago Hip Hop
Chicago artist/producer LLV blends vulnerability, perseverance, and mental health advocacy to create deeply personal Hip Hop founded in faith and purpose.
Chicago has a legacy of producing artists that transcend beats and rhymes. They carry wisdom, vivid storytelling, and emotional depth. Rising emcee and producer LLV is part of that lineage, but his path is one carved from resonate vulnerability, relentless perseverance, and unshakable faith. Formerly known as Von, he’s now stepping fully into his new chapter as LLV, which stands for Long Live Von and Love Lost, a name that symbolizes both homage and healing.
Although his new single “LLV Alone” didn’t make the cut for his sophomore album, it’s a powerful standalone release that shows where he is mentally and creatively. Over a beat he produced himself on Native Instruments’ Maschine, LLV delivers wordplay that’s as clever as it is candid:
“With this drank I don’t feel alone / diamond pair ‘earrings’ so they not alone.”
It’s the kind of line that lingers, equal parts punchline and vulnerability, which is what makes LLV such a compelling voice.
LLV has been known for his production chops since high school, but music isn’t the only lane where he’s thrived. He graduated from music business school, worked as a manager several times, and currently holds a Class A CDL. He’s even worked in robotics. Through it all, he’s been clear about one thing: trusting God’s timing.
Remaining triumphant and pushing past the stigma of his bipolar schizophrenia diagnosis, LLV has achieved many miraculous milestones others consider impossible. His ability to navigate mental health challenges while pursuing his dreams has made him a quiet inspiration to those who know his story.
“You’re not alone, and the sky is the limit,” he often says, a mantra he’s turning into a mission.
The loss of LLV’s father, Dino, in 2024 left a lasting imprint on his music and mindset. Dino also lived with bipolar schizophrenia and experienced homelessness, becoming both a source of pain and inspiration for LLV. Their time together before his passing reminded LLV of life’s fragility and fueled his passion for mental health advocacy.
He’s stayed open about these struggles not to dwell in them, but to show others what’s possible: that mental health challenges don’t define your potential and that music can be a lifeline for anyone fighting to be seen.
Five years ago, LLV introduced himself to the world with his freshman album It’sJustVon: Welcome to the State of Denial, a raw and revealing look into his mind and environment. Since then, he’s taken time to focus on himself, rebuild, and redefine what success means to him.
His upcoming sophomore album, Leaving the State of Denial, is slated for release in 2026. If “LLV Alone” is any indication, this next chapter will be even more personal, refined, and fearless.
“I’ve really just been focusing on myself since my freshman album,” he says. And it shows. LLV isn’t chasing trends, he’s finding peace, and creating music that feels like a deep exhale for both himself and others.
LLV’s journey is proof that Hip Hop’s most powerful stories come from the ones brave enough to tell them. His work carries the grit of Chicago, the soul of someone who’s endured loss and growth, and the heart of an artist who believes music should heal as much as it entertains.
As he gears up for Leaving the State of Denial, LLV is showing that honesty is the new flex, and that Chicago’s next era of Hip Hop might be led by the artists willing to connect on a soul level. Stream "LLV Alone" below and stay tuned for more from the rising Chicago emcee.
