Video: Lupe Fiasco's advice for The Boy Illinois, "Focus on the stage and cut the loose ends loose!"

Sway In The Morning was out at SXSW last week and sat down with Fred The Godson, Problem and The Boy Illinois. At 3:30, The Boy Illinois talks about going on the Tetsuo & Youth Preview Tour and shares some advice he received from Lupe on the road.

Hit the jump to watch The Boy Illinois and Fred The Godson spit some bars acapella!

Video: Lupe Fiasco says The Boy Illinois is one of the most talented people he's met!

On the final stop of the Tetsuo & Youth Preview Tour last month, Lupe called The Boy Illinois a "fellow hometown hero" and also said that he is destined to be one of the Chi-Town greats. Hit the jump to see Illi talk to BET about getting cosigns from Lupe, Trae Tha Truth and Sway!

Video: Lupe Fiasco, Stalley, Mickey Factz, The Boy Illinois and Dee-1 freestyle in Boston!

Last night, the Tetsuo & Youth Preview Tour made a stop at the House Of Blues in Boston. All the acts, including Mickey Factz who has joined the East Coast leg of the tour, got on stage and had a rap cypher with the beats made live on the spot by Floss & Fame.

Photo-Op: The Boy Illinois meets Lupe Fiasco

The Boy Illinois, who we featured on here several times before, recently met Lupe in Chicago. Here's a pic of that.

New Music: The Boy Illinois - The Memoirs Of Gilbert Gaston [Mixtape]

You might remember we posted some of this kid's music before and now here's his new mixtape! Stream it below and go ahead and download it.

Video: The Boy Illinois - A Lil Bit Off

Every once in a while, in those great gusts of Chicago winds, you’ll come across something worth keeping. And that’s precisely what happened when The Boy Illinois crept onto the scene.

The 25-year-old University of Illinois College drop-out is aiming to grab the ears of listeners with a slick delivery and sharp wordplay.

If you like the song from the video, check out his Inhale Pt.4 Mixtape!