Chicago-born rapper femdot has recently made a strong return with his new EP, ‘Free Samples Vol.3’. This release includes a collaboration with UK artist Bawo and serves as another milestone in his rising career, which already includes features with artists like Saba and Smino, over 30 million streams, and 350,000 monthly listeners across various platforms.
The son of first-generation Nigerian immigrants, femdot, whose real name is Femi Adigun, has earned recognition for fusing intricate storytelling with melodic hooks and verses grounded in soulful and impactful new wave beats. He uses this music as a platform to express his varied experiences shaped by the violence and dangers of life in Chicago, while remaining true to his self-belief and his ambition to shape his own future.
Growing up inspired by artists like Jay Z, A Tribe Called Quest, Twista, and R&B group Jodeci, femdot has developed a distinctive and genuine hip-hop style. His work has garnered him a performance on Colors x Studio and a reputation as one of the most compelling lyrical rappers emerging from Chicago and the U.S., with comparisons to figures such as J.Cole, Mick Jenkins, and Isaiah Rashad.
Clash spoke with femdot about his latest project and the journey he has taken in his career...
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First, congratulations on your recent release ‘Free Samples Vol.3’! How are you feeling at this point in 2025?
Thanks! The ‘Free Samples’ series is meant to offer my fans a preview of the sounds I’ve been developing as I work toward my next album. Last year was quite challenging, as I got really sick midway through, so this year feels particularly special. So far in 2025, things are looking up. I plan to focus on what I can control and do what I do best, which is to keep moving forward. Everything progresses with the music. As we approach March, I’m also observing Ramadan, so I’m in a very peaceful state right now. Nothing can really distract me during this time, making it an ideal moment for a release.
How did you connect with Bawo for the song ‘Back In The Lead’?
Bawo is incredible! I’ve been a fan for a while. I discovered him through a song called ‘Brasileiro’. One of my friends, who manages Jordan Ward, often finds new music, and one day I mentioned wanting to explore more UK sounds because their accents are tough! He sent me a few tracks, and Bawo was among them. I reached out to him and found out he was already familiar with my work! We kept in touch and supported each other. Later, while working on ‘Back In The Lead’, I had a strong feeling that Bawo would sound amazing on it. I contacted him, and we made it happen.
You’ve built a reputation as a skilled wordsmith. Can you tell us about your beginnings in spoken word and poetry?
Absolutely! I grew up in a Chicago scene where poets, writers, and activists collaborated closely. As a teenager, I began writing poetry, and I actually had my first poem published in sixth grade. As I matured, spoken word especially enhanced my stage presence; attending open mics helped me focus on my delivery. Those open mics felt like the Grammys to us — you had one chance to make a significant impact, and everyone there was talented.
I tend to be a laid-back person, and I used to struggle with mumbling when I was younger, so I realized I needed to project my voice on stage for everyone to hear the effort I put into my words. Spoken word pushed me to articulate each word clearly and play with inflections because I needed to convey the words effectively to the audience. By the age of 16, I was competing in spoken word festivals, ultimately using it to enhance my skills as a rapper and respect for my writing. Those experiences in poetry and spoken word fundamentally influenced how I perform and how I perceive word choice — every word truly matters.
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I understand that you and Saba met at age 15 and have become good friends. He has also gained popularity in the UK. How valuable has it been to have a friend like him in the industry when facing new challenges?
Yes, we met at those open mics! The value of that friendship is immeasurable. Coming from Chicago, Saba is probably the only artist whose journey aligns closely with mine, even though we're a few years apart. His path is more similar to mine compared to others like Chance The Rapper and Noname. Saba's career trajectory mirrors how I want to navigate through the industry and life.
Having someone I admire and respect for his writing, mindset, and work ethic is invaluable. We've been able to tour together and converse about various topics, and I cherish that connection. Saba is a gem not just in Chicago but globally. He’s a remarkable person with a great
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Chicago-born rapper femdot recently made a strong comeback with his new EP ‘Free Samples Vol.3’. This release includes a collaboration with UK rapper Bawo and signifies another milestone.