Up and coming rapper Lil Chopstick makes Mitty his stage as he instills his own experiences into his songs. What started out as a lighthearted passion project quickly grew in popularity and brought together a community of music enthusiasts. Hoping to spread motivating energy, his raps exude a sense of optimism, allowing his listeners a refreshing break from the high-pressure atmosphere of school.
Peter Zhu ’26, alias Lil Chopstick, has been rapping ever since the beginning of his sophomore year. Already an ardent music fan, what started out as playing around with different beats in Garageband on his school iPad quickly expanded to writing lyrics and making entire songs. As his fascination with music grew, he began uploading his music on Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Music. As a direct result of his efforts, Lil Chopstick was able to build a prominent fanbase.
This sudden growth in popularity did not faze him, however, as he remains genuine to his humble beginnings. He cites rappers Lil Tecca and Kodak Black as his greatest inspirations. He admires their highly expressionistic style, and their transparency serves as motivation for him as he continues to develop his own style, undeterred by external criticisms.
More than any fancy app or production trick, Lil Chopstick identifies his energy and lyrics as the true key to his music. His lyrics are anchored in his daily life, whether it be eating out at a Hibachi restaurant with friends or bumming it out in detention. The relatable witticisms hidden in his songs are the exact connections listeners are drawn to. One such lyric that expresses this idea reads as following:
Like many musicians, Lil Chopstick’s ultimate dream is to gain enough of a follower base to pursue music as a career. He himself acknowledges that this goal is a long shot, dependent on luck just as much as talent. Still, he has ardent supporters, ready to see him realize this coveted career path.
One of these fans is Matthew Cha ’26, who has been Lil Chopstick’s top supporter ever since the start of his rapping career. A personal friend of Peter’s, Matthew dedicates a lot of his time to him in hopes to see him succeed. He plays a major role in filming and editing the videos, even contributing a few verses in his songs. Matthew notes the high energy and comedic atmosphere Lil Chopstick’s music is centered upon, casting an uplifting effect on its listeners.
Not only does Lil Chopstick hope for a flourishing future, he also wishes to impact the hearts and minds of students at Mitty. He deems his own approach as one-of-a-kind. His music promotes the inclusivity of people and their diverse range of interests on campus. As he claims, some may find his hobby completely ludicrous, and yet that has only stoked the fiery ambition in his heart. To him, remaining his true self and defying the judgment of others is what truly matters.
Lil Chopstick looks forward to releasing more music and inspiring more people with several new music videos scheduled for the coming months. He hopes that others will follow his lead and dare to pursue their interests, even if they come off as unconventional.