It’s Christmas time, again. It feels like we were ringing in 2022 yesterday but it feels like time is moving at an unfathomably rapid pace these days. As we’ve done in the past, HotNewHipHop returned with our annual 12 Days Of Christmas series where we chop it up with some of your favorite rappers, musicians, athletes, and entertainers about their annual highlights.
Kicking off the series is one of the most exciting new voices out of New York City this year, Lola Brooke. Like many of her contemporaries, the Bed-Stuy native had her big break off of TikTok with the success of “Don’t Play With It.” The adrenaline-pumping production and her charismatic delivery became a hit after her “From The Block” performance began to garner attention. However, once TikTok got a hold of the record, it formed a life of its own. Cardi B, Kim Kardashian and North West are among Hollywood’s elite of the strength of “Don’t Play With It.” At the same time, she’s landed on the radars of formidable MCs like Pusha T and Meek Mill, who’ve shown her nothing but love in recent times.
“I used to say, when I put the song out, I said to my team, ‘Don’t Play With It’ could really be a thing.’ I just thought it could be a thing on TikTok. Like, imagine kids playing with things they not supposed to be playing with. Things that are dangerous. Don’t Play With It, Don’t Play With It, Don’t Play With It,” she told HotNewHipHop.
What really sold people was the authenticity of Brooklyn that seeps through each bar. The night before our interview, Lola Brooke performed at the Barclay’s Center during the Wizards vs. Nets halftime show – the same night Ab-Soul linked up with Jay-Z. As a Bedford-Stuyvestant native, that performance stands as a highlight of her year. If not for performing in one of the biggest stages in her borough, then for being able to showcase her talent in front of the biggest export out of Bed-Stuy.
“When he sees you, remind him of where he came from. And he be proud that he came from where he grew up from,” she recalled telling herself during her performance.
For the first installment of 2022’s 12 Days Of Christmas, we chopped it up with Lola Brooke to discuss co-signs from Pusha T & Kim Kardashian, embodying Brooklyn, and so much more.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.