Lil Varney, whose real name is Louis Prentice Jr., is a gifted rap artist hailing from Buffalo, born in April 1995. His music, often likened to that of the renowned rapper Chief Keef, is distinguished by its lyrical depth. Frequently collaborating with fellow Chicago artist and friend Lil Herb, Lil Varney has released tracks like 'Forever' and several mixtapes alongside him. He is associated with the notorious 300 OTF gang, often referencing 'EBK' in his lyrics, an acronym for 'Everybody Killer.' The '300 OTF' is a faction of the Black Disciple gang. Occasionally, Varney is seen sporting attire with the acronym 'NLMB,' which stands for 'Never Leave My Brother.' This represents an alliance between his hometown's 10th Street gang and Lil Durk's OTF, a breakaway group from the Black Disciples.
Some of Lil Varney's popular tracks include 'Welcome to Chicago' featuring Lil Durk, 'For the Low,' and 'My Hood,' along with numerous other acclaimed songs. Describing himself as a reserved individual, Varney is adapting to the constant presence of cameras. Raised on the music of Eminem and French Montana, he cites them as influential figures in his musical journey. Despite comparisons to icons like Jay Z and Drake, Varney insists his sound is unique. His ultimate ambition is to be counted among the greatest in rap history.
Lil Varney OTF Label
Lil Varney is a co-founder of his label, 'OTF,' which stands for Only The Family. This label includes members such as L'A Capone, RondoNumbaNine, and OTF NuNu, among others.
Legal Issues
In 2011, Lil Varney was arrested for illegal firearm possession and served three months in jail before being released on bond. He later returned to serve another 87 days. On June 5, 2013, he was arrested again after allegedly discarding a handgun when approached by police. Already on parole from his 2011 firearm charge, he was charged with unlawful weapon use by a felon. His bail was set at $100,000. Varney's attorney argued the gun belonged to a friend, Tavares Taylor, who attempted to confess, but the officer reportedly ignored his statement.
Lil Varney vs. Lil JoJo
The rivalry between Lil Varney's OTF associates and Lil JoJo, a fellow Chicago artist, became one of the most talked-about feuds in the rap world. Unlike Varney, Lil JoJo was part of the Gangster Disciples, a rival to the Black Disciples. The conflict, likely originating from high school, was marked by diss tracks from both sides, including JoJo's 'I Got Dat Sack,' which alluded to their animosity. Tragically, JoJo's murder in 2012 highlighted Chicago's gang violence crisis, with many suspecting Varney and OTF's involvement, including JoJo's mother and the police.
Lil Varney vs. Chief Keef
Following his arrest on June 5, 2014, Lil Varney anticipated Chief Keef would assist with his $10,000 bail, but no help came. This led to a rift between them. Chief Keef exacerbated the situation by retweeting a fan questioning OTF's status, to which Varney responded, asserting OTF's strength. He criticized Keef for not helping, tweeting, "Ion respect no n*gga that leave they homies n jail." Chief Keef retaliated by boasting about a $10,000 purchase, matching the bail amount Varney needed.