William Crooks | The Rapper, Producer, and Artist Who Lives Outside the Box

/// There’s something exciting about artists who refuse to stay in one lane—those who experiment with their sound and evolve without worrying about fitting neatly into a category.

William Crooks, is one of those artists. He’s a rapper,

producer, writer, and all-around creative force who has built a career on pushing boundaries.

I sat down with Crooks to ask him about his artistic journey, and how he finds inspiration in all facets of life.

/// Evolving his sound.

I first met William by chance at two separate gigs in Chicago’s underground scene. At the time, I was just beginning to dive into his discography, starting with his newly released album at the time, Youth Group. Which was released two years after his acknowledged album Running as fast as I can.

Youth Group marked a significant break — a pause during which he recharged and then released something completely unexpected.

“People who came in during Running [as fast as I can] were like, ‘Wait, we waited two years for this?’” he recalled with a laugh.

With Running as fast as I can admittedly being his best commercially performing album. William feels like a two year break into releasing a more brooding, and hurting album like Youth Group ended up catching people off guard. To an audience, sure, people might be caught off guard. But to an artist, Youth Group was an important evolving stepping stone in Williams sound, writing, and attitude towards creativity.

Crooks' discography can be characterized by this kind of evolution. From the approachable yet still unique sounds and production of Waterboy, to the forlorn sounds of Youth Group, he doesn't seek out the path that's been laid before. Rather, Crooks lets each project develop its own style and approach.

/// A Community Built from the Internet Up

William’s journey as an artist is deeply tied to online communities. Before the stages and venues, he was part of an underground scene that thrived on SoundCloud, Skype chats, and even Minecraft festivals.

“Back in 2013 to 2018, there was this tight-knit community of music makers online,” he explained. “It was a space where we all knew each other, played shows together, and just experimented.”

Waterboy - William Crooks

One of his closest collaborators is Benny (A.K.A. Ache), who has been involved in almost every one of William’s projects since Waterboy. Their creative partnership has spanned years, and their latest work together—both on Youth Group and the upcoming project—feels like a full-circle moment.

“That’s just my dude,” William said. “We’ve been making music together forever, and now we finally have something that’s just us.”

William has also worked with artists like TYGKO, Dylan Brady, and umru, continuously surrounding himself with musicians who push the limits of sound. When I asked him about standout collaborations, he emphasized the importance of all the musicians he's worked with.

“Every collab I’ve done has meant something, but working with people who just get it? That’s special.”

/// Balancing Art and Identity

Beyond music, William has a life filled with hobbies that is often portrayed on his Instagram.

“I’ve been really getting into cooking—like, writing my own recipes kind of serious,” he shared. “And I do a lot of amateur botany. I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate more of that side of me into my music because a lot of my work comes off as dark, but I’m actually a guy who just likes baking bread and looking at flowers.”

This contrast between his intense, sometimes sinister music and his more grounded, everyday passions is something William is actively working to bridge. He’s exploring ways to showcase more of his real self within his art—whether that’s through more personal lyrics, evocative visuals, or simply being more open about his offstage interests.

“I think there’s a way to make it feel more connected,” he admitted. “I don’t want people to just see the darker side of what I create. There’s so much more to me.”

/// A Playlist That Speaks Volumes

William shared a playlist that is a window into his multifaceted world. His curated collection spans nostalgic hits to up-and-coming tracks that mirror his own experimental spirit.

During our conversation, he talked about how the songs he adds serve as a personal soundtrack to his journey. He recalled how a classic like Billy Ocean’s Caribbean Queen reintroduced him to the vibrant energy of 80s synth-pop, while obscure tracks from emerging producers such as I FEEL SO ALIVE remind him that innovation can be found in the most unexpected places.

We also spoke about SahBabi's inclusion in his playlist, and how he is a great example of an artist in tune with the next best producers and bringing them in as collaborators, such as quickly, quickly and tomcbumpz.

For William, every song is chosen with purpose. It reflects his belief that the best discoveries come when you’re open to exploring the vast, unpredictable landscape of music.

/// What’s Next?

With a new album in the works and a growing community of listeners who truly connect with his music, William Crooks isn’t slowing down anytime soon. He’s refining his process, taking his time, and ensuring that every project is something he’s proud of. While he’s still exploring how best to integrate his multifaceted identity into his art, one thing is clear — he’s creating on his own terms.

+ Here is a link to listen to William Crooks entire discography. You can also listen to his perfect playlist here. Feel free to also check out every song we've written about on our Spotify account playlists here.