Exclusive interview with Lil John Roberts
1. Tell us a little about yourself i.e. where you are from, how you became a drummer and what / who inspired you?
I'm from Philadelphia Pa. I started at the early age of 7 playing in my dad's church. I had a bunch of uncles that all played drums, my dad was a bass player and my mom is a classical pianist that also played in the church. So there was music all around me. I later went to a music magnet school (Overbrook High), the same school as Will Smith and Wilt Chamberlain. After high school I attended Berklee College of Music for 2 years, before my touring career started. I started recording and doing shows with DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (Will Smith). I then moved to Atlanta where I worked with alot of the up and coming stars like Xscape, Monica, and Goodie Mob, working as their Music Director. I was also working with many jazz greats such as George Duke, George Benson, Rachelle Ferrelle, George Howard and many others. By 1994 I received a call to come join Janet's band for the 2nd half of the Janet tour, which I was thrilled to do at age 23.