New Fire Music
Bandito, Formerly Known As Lil Bandz, Returns With A Bang
Jul
Bandito is back with a fresh identity and brand new EP titled 333. The late June 2023 release holds three tracks for a total of 7 minutes and 10 seconds. The quick listen is another step forward for the East Coast artist formerly known as Lil Bandz.
New Fire Music has been locked in with Bandito for 3+ years now. Some of our favorite all time tracks from the New York alternative rapper include 4 ME feat. JayWavy off his 2020 album WARNING 2 and Internet Love feat. Kev, Just Kev & JC Flee. The talented and charismatic artist frequently draws comparisons to the equally charismatic genre bending artist Lil Uzi Vert, one of Bandito’s biggest influences. We linked up with Bandito to hear more about the project and see what he’s been up to.
A couple reflections about the project?
It’s a fresh start. I’m not Lil Bandz no more, it’s Bandito now. Same thing just a little more mature, a little more me. Kev and his girl [Sam] been calling me that from the jump so that’s what it is now. The 333 EP is a few songs I made when I first started working on my next project WARNING 3. To me WARNING 3 is going to be a big stepping stone into the next chapter of my music career, and the songs on 333 are a reflection of what’s to come. These 3 songs mean a lot to me specifically because they were the first 3 songs I recorded that actually made me go “yeah.. this is what I want to do” in a time where I lost track of exactly what it was I wanted out of this [music].
What have you been up to lately?
Ain’t that a question haha. Life. Dealing with a whole lot of real life shit. Not gonna get too into detail it’s personal but it’s definitely a lot of change and trying to find comfort in things I’m not used to. After WARNING 2 and Internet Love I took some time to deal with some family issues and lost myself while trying to handle that. Spent most of last year (2022) just working and trying to feel real love again from people. It was cool and all for the time being but it didn’t work out too well haha.
For the first time i’m truly on my own. I got my gang, they’re always solid. But I lost a lot of relationships with people I love and hold close to my heart this year over stupid shit. Even without having them around though I’ve been learning a lot about myself and my character, and cherishing the ones I still hold close ten fold. To sum it up, I’m just tryna tap into my true self and filter out what holds me back.
Collective of artists you’re working with and how that’s going?
Man you already know I like to keep it close. Kev & Flee [Kev, Just Kev & JC Flee]. Those my brothas. We got a couple songs recorded y’all will hear very soon, all different shit, all fire. Me and Kev got a collab tape in the works too. Without them I probably wouldn’t have made more music after WARNING 2, I lost my drive and they kept me pushing. Always reassuring me that without me, none of this is possible. Lowkey that used to f*ck with me mentally because it felt like such a big responsibility, but realistically I’m just glad I hold enough influence to make all of this a reality. Honestly if it ain’t gonna benefit me or get me a bag I’m not worried about doing features at the moment. Just my craft and my crew.
Anything else you want to say to the fans?
Shoutout everybody. I love you guys. Everyone that plays a part in my life, influenced the songs I make and give me the experiences I live through. Whether we’re on good or bad terms. I got love for everybody. This year has been rough man I got low. Ended up in the hospital and shit over some pills and people problems, shit everybody goes through it in one way or another.. But the little time I spent in there opened me up and made me realize a lot.
I got a big support system that loves the shit outta me even when I don’t fully feel it. So yeah, just a whole lotta love for everyone. Don’t get it twisted though I’m still not accessible baby I keep myself high profile haha. When I was in high school and first started rapping this is all I ever wanted. It’s not 100% but we on the way and the journey so far been a slow burn. But those have the best payoffs. WARNING 3 on the way go bump that warning!
Bandito is locked in, focused, and in great spirits. We appreciate Bandito for his honesty and vulnerability, opening up about real life situations that we all deal with in our personal lives. We’re excited to hear that WARNING 3 is on the way. If the 333 EP is any example of what’s to come, you’ll definitely have to stay tuned. Stream the 333 EP below or on your favorite platform.