Cloud Rap Artist Lil $am: From Dubstep Roots To Current Sound

Cloud Rap artist Sami Crosser, aka Lil $am, isn’t afraid to let his past influence his future, especially as he leans into a more laid-back, relatable sound. From his production hacks to his life in Knoxville, he gives you the full story on his journey and his latest inspirations.

1. Every artist has a ‘Year Zero.’ For you, how and when did the Lil $am persona finally come to life?

My persona truly began to take shape around 2019, though the foundation was laid back in 2017. At the start, I was just experimenting by making random EDM beats on my phone and laptop to find my rhythm.

A major turning point came in 2019 when I built my first PC and invested in a professional studio microphone; that was the moment I committed to keeping the dream moving forward. After dropping my initial EDM album on SoundCloud, I felt a shift.

I began transitioning into the sounds I was truly passionate about: Cloud Rap, Emo Rap, and Punk-inspired music.

In 2025, I finally moved out and got a creative space of my own. Now that I’m fully locked in, I’m able to focus on making the exact music I’ve always wanted to make.

2. Looking back at your Dubstep catalog, which track do you consider your best work and why?

The best track and work I’ve done would have to be “Infinite Dream of You.” It took a bit of time to get all those instruments onto my phone and then switch everything over to my laptop for an easier process.

3. Is there a specific production technique from your Dubstep days that you still use today to create your current sound?

I still use a few of those techniques, like adding plenty of reverb, splitting the tracks into different parts, and really diving into the instruments within the software.

4. Moving from the aggressive energy of Dubstep to the laid-back vibe of Cloud Rap is a bold shift. What sparked that change?

Well, the older I got, the more laid back I became, and the more I realized I prefer chill music. That shift really started with inspiration from Skrillex way back in the day, which eventually led me to follow artists like Lil Peep and BONES.

5. When you’re in the studio crafting your current sound, which artists act as your North Star for inspiration?

When I’m in the studio, the artists I really look to for inspiration are Lil Peep and BONES.

6. What are the main pros and cons of building your music career in Knoxville?

The quiet feels good sometimes because I really enjoy the solitude. But the downside is that nobody here really knows me. I’m just this independent, lonely guy making music, carrying a kind of power that the world hasn’t even noticed yet.

7. Beyond Knoxville, does your Cloud Rap lean underground or mainstream?

At the moment, I’d say my sound leans more toward the underground, especially as I continue to develop my own style within Cloud Rap.

8. Can you explain the concept and the meaning behind your latest single, “Blaze Up”?

It was a simple, quick song I made for my friend Meia. She really helped me out by listening to my music, and she inspired me to continue on and speak up.

9. If you could describe your target audience and your lyrical themes, what would they be?

My target audience is definitely the Emo Rap and Cloud Rap community. As for my themes, I like them to be relatable and dark, but with some bright moments mixed in at times.

10. Would you ever experiment with Dubstep again, or is it strictly a thing of the past?

Well, for now, it’s mostly a thing of the past. In the future, I might bring it back for a song as a background element or something like that, but it isn’t my main focus right now.

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