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Unsigned Chicago emcee Lottery is the latest to come out of the "City of Wind." Growing up Derrick Martin Hardy, Lottery was raised by parents that made sure that he was around music 24/7. "Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, and other greats were always being played in my home," says the Chi-Town rapper. "While my friends were going to D-Nice and Digital Underground concerts, my mom was taking me to see Stevie Wonder." Lottery eventually was inspired to write once he heard Kris Kross, and figured that if they can do it, so can he. Then with childhood friend Eugene "Aftershock" Shuford pushing him, 11 year-old Lottery began to record. Trips back and forth from his parents' home on Michigan Ave to Princeton Park began to really pay off because it was there that Lottery gained his skill for writing. Inspired by artist like Warren G, Kurrupt, Wu-Tang Clan, Tribe Called Quest, 8-Ball and MJG, and Nas, gained an appreciation for Hip-Hop regardless of region. Upon graduation from famed Simeon Vocatonal on Chicago's South Side, Lottery went on to Jackson State University. There Lottery would see an artist that would inspire him to get serious about Music again. "Seeing David Banner at every mall, social gathering, barbershop, and sporting event pushing his music, inspired me to write again." After two years at JSU, Lottery dropped out of school. Lottery would resurface, but this time at Chicago State University, where his department chair was non-other than the late Dr. Donda West. Dr. West's son, Kanye West had just started out with his rap career, but already had numerous producer credits under his belt. Kanye would give Lottery the best advice that he ever received. "Don't be afraid to fly!" By the time Kanye's debut album "The College Dropout" hit stores; Lottery did something else that his idol did. Lottery dropped out of Chicago State University. After a trip to New York City for the inaugural National Political Hip Hop Convention, Lottery came back to Chicago and enrolled at Columbia College Chicago., an arts school, where he was introduced to the recording of music. While at Columbia, Lottery met producer Noah "Vanysh" Thomas (produced Chicago artist Bump J, Shayla G, Drunken Monkeee, and Doe Boy.) Under Vanysh's guidance, Lottery learned not only how to produce music, but also how to write better songs. These skills obtained paid off when Lottery was selected to attend a college program called Semester in Los Angeles, which took place on the CBS lot. There Lottery wrote a song that was selected for the Lions Gate film Frankenhood. That experience brought Lottery back to Chicago where he enjoyed success with the release of his debut EP entitled "95th" which earned him an Unsigned Hype in HipHop Weekly and a spot in the Source's Unsigned Hype Tour. Currently Lottery and is about to release the "Ghetto Amerikkka E.P." and highly anticipated mixtape "Semilottomatic" where Lottery rhymes over beats from the class Nas album, "Illmatic." Lottery is a refreshing emcee who has the streets of Chicago buzzing and it is very evident that whoever signs Lottery is going to hit the jackpot!
Lottery has performed at various venues including YO! The Movement Twin Cities Hip-Hop Festival in Minneapolis, MN, and US Beer Company in Chicago, IL.
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