Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, and raised partly in Longmont, Lil Aqua grew up in a household where music was always playing. His parents introduced him to different sounds from an early age, and he remembers spending hours listening to music on his mother’s old iPod, discovering artists and developing a love for music that would eventually inspire him to create his own.
At 14, Lil Aqua began recording music, starting with a song over the instrumental to Rich the Kid’s “Plug Walk.” Although he was still learning how to record, mix, and master, the encouragement he received from his father, one of his brothers, and a few close friends gave him the confidence to keep going. Seven years later, he’s still learning, refining his sound, and finding new ways to grow as an artist.
His early influences included Lil Skies and old-school hip-hop, which helped shape his approach to music. After spending years making faster-paced rap, he eventually gravitated toward the West Coast sound, drawing inspiration from artists like Bino Rideaux and Kalan.FrFr. That influence helped him develop a smoother, more melodic style built around laid-back production, bounce, and versatility. Whether he’s making music about heartbreak, relationships, or simply creating something people can ride to, Lil Aqua wants his records to connect with listeners in their own way.
Most of his music is recorded in his home studio, where he handles his own engineering, mixing, and mastering. Teaching himself these skills has given him the freedom to bring his ideas to life while continuing to develop his sound. Outside of music, some of his favorite childhood memories come from Loomiller Park in Longmont, where he and his friends would meet after school, grab something from the gas station, and spend hours hanging out.
His latest release, “Frozen,” takes a more personal approach, drawing from the heartbreak he experienced after a difficult relationship. Rather than keeping those emotions to himself, he used music to process what happened, creating a record he hopes will resonate with anyone who has experienced similar situations.
Looking ahead, Lil Aqua is preparing for his upcoming project, Graduation 2, which he believes will reflect how much he’s grown as an artist. With new music and visuals in the works, more than 10 million Instagram views in the past 30 days, and an opportunity to work with Ty Dolla $ign, he’s beginning to see years of dedication turn into real momentum.
Through it all, Lil Aqua remains grateful for his family, friends, and everyone who has supported his journey, especially his parents and brothers, who encouraged him from the beginning. Seven years into making music, he’s still focused on improving, reaching new listeners, and seeing how far his passion can take him. For Lil Aqua, this is only the beginning.
