Impact in art stems from lived experience and reflection, planting seeds of relatability and inspiration in viewers, listeners, and engagers. Leaning into his identity and life philosophy as a farmer, Heavy Crownz has created an album and art exhibit that surround his own personal growth.

Heavy Crownz’ impact spans from his art to his work in the community with the non-profit Imagine Englewood if… and collaborations in inspirational events, engaging Englewood and Chicago youth. Creatively employing agricultural metaphors, Heavy embodies and is embodied in his art.

Peace, Heavy! Your debut album “Trench Baby Turned Farmer” is set to release in February 2026. Can you tell us more about the personal themes of reflection, growth, and resilience present in this album?

Yea, I really bring the listener into my world. From songs about my past failed engagement, to me not being the greatest friend at times, to songs about gang banging to songs about my first time smoking weed. It’s all encompassing.

How has making this album allowed you to reflect and grow further?

First, I want to shout out Chris Classick who personally mixed and mastered the entire album. Throughout the process of making this album I went from wanting to show people I can make a Grammy level album to me dedicating the album to my cousin and childhood friend that both passed away, to ultimately, me doing it for me and my personal reasons. Through this process I’ve grown in my understanding of why I’m even putting this out. And then having to grow in patience, leadership, and my organizational skills to see this to completion.

The album is more than an album, but a philosophy spanning into other artistic and philanthropic pursuits. When did the idea to showcase your story in different ways begin?

It began once I realized I had to do it for me and to push myself creatively to think of ways to allow people to be immersed in my story.

Your art exhibit “You Can Grow Here” with Hoste walks through four defining and pivotal eras of your life. How would you describe these four eras and what was pivotal about each moment in time?

The first one honors my family roots, the second honors my childhood and adolescence, the third honors Chicago and relationships I’ve built as an adult in Chicago and the fourth one is the farmer; the person I am today that prioritizes growth and community overall. Each moment in time came with a percentage of unknowing, each era presented a sense of belonging, and each era brought forth real challenges as well.

You collaborated on a men’s peace circle series with 93 boys and Vic Mensa. How do you approach finding peace within yourself and how do you approach helping other men find peace within themselves?

Finding peace is a never ending work, because new seasons in your life require new methods to maintain peace. I find peace by designing my thoughts, my words, and actions so that they’re aligned to my values and desires. Firstly I’m just a vessel allowing the Most High to use me. That being said, while being used I approach helping other men do the same but inquiring about their values and showing them different perspectives around the challenges they are facing daily. It’s up to them to do the Diryte work, I just present options for new thought patterns.

As the Director of Programs for Imagine Englewood if… you led the organization of a giveaway providing toys, fresh produce, meals, and winter coats to over 500 families. Where are some opportunities for people to get involved and give back to their communities?

There are plenty of opportunities! From volunteering at our major events, or become a tutor, or even facilitating a workshop if you have any particular skills like art, wellness, professional development, or media skills or people can always just visit our website at imagineenglewoodif.org or our ig @imagineEnglewoodif, or folks can just dm me.

Can you tell us more about your identity as a farmer and how your philosophy on agriculture ties into your brand and message as an artist?

My philosophy is to give yourself grace and just remain committed to growth, in all things. Just like a tree. It doesn’t wonder if it’ll ever grow it, just does, it just becomes. All things that occur in nature add to the tree's growth. And sometimes in order to grow you’ll have to go into the soil which may seem like a dark, cold and lonely place but that’s exactly where the work on yourself takes place for your personal growth to take place. And that’s called doing the DIRYTE work and D.I.R.Y.T.E is a mindset, a call to action, and an acronym for “Do I remind you to elevate? Expand? Encourage, eat healthy etc. you get the point lol. And so in all of my music and branding I just want to remind people to give themselves grace and that they have the ability to grow no matter where they are in life.

What inspired you to start farming during the pandemic in 2020?

Yea, it started out as a philosophy for life from a book I read by this random Asian pastor called “Destined to Reign” and then it led me to want to actually get into agriculture. From there my philosophy on growth crystallized.

What was the first plant you grew when you started farming?

It was herbs, like rosemary and mint then foods like tomatoes and kale. S/o to the head farmer, Jai Kalondra who taught me how to farm. She is also my soul sister and the health and wellness manager for Imagine Englewood if…

Are there any projects you have plans for in the future for yourself or your community?

Yes, we’re currently building a state of the art multimedia center for youth and young adults in Englewood on our campus and we’re also working to add English/Spanish classes to our programming to support our brown brothers and sisters coming into Englewood currently.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us! Is there anything else you want to express about the album, your philanthropy, or your artistry?

Yea, I’m just getting warmed up. Chicago is on the verge of something new and beautiful and I want us all to win. My goal for music is to not be the best and win Grammys and be praised for being good at rapping. I’m here to serve my creator, serve my communities, serve people, and create generational wealth. While reminding people that they can grow too. One seed at a time.

Heavy Crownz is Growing Greater