Edmonton’s Own ILLiam — A Whole Heart Approach to Hip Hop

Name: Liam “ILLiam” Carpenter

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Business Name: Whole Heart Entertainment

Instagram: @illiam.ca

Category: Musical Artist, Entrepreneur

🌟 INTRODUCTION

I’m from Edmonton, Alberta, but was born in Calgary. I work for a construction firm, but in my spare time I run a grassroots record label and entertainment company: Whole Heart Entertainment. We’re Edmonton-based, but we’re looking to branch out and throw hip hop shows all around the province — and eventually all across Canada. Who knows, maybe even the world… or maybe in space too!

HAILEY: What’s the story behind your creative journey — where did it all begin for you?

ILLIAM: Music has really been around me my whole life. My mom and my grandpa were always playing classic records, so I grew up with that sound around me from the time I was a baby. It just felt natural to move with it. By the age of five, I was already taking jazz and tap dance classes, and that’s where I first started to understand rhythm, performance, and how creativity could be part of who I am.

HAILEY: How has your journey evolved from where you started to where you are now?

ILLIAM: Coming from taking jazz and tap dancing lessons as a kid to now writing, recording, mixing, mastering, and performing my own original music — I’d say I’ve taken quite a few more steps than I used to. The foundation was always about rhythm and movement, but over time it’s grown into full creative control over my sound and my story.

🔥 THE PASSION

I’ve always felt the connection to hip hop music. Ever since one of my earliest friends, Jessie-May, had me out to watch her dance performance when I was maybe 6 or 7 years old, I fell in love.

What keeps me most motivated when things get tough is the purpose behind it. When I write music it’s not just for me. Obviously, it’s cathartic to let out certain emotions and address things going on in my life, but what really keeps me going is when I know a song I’m creating could help someone else through their tough times too.

Even if a track doesn’t end up being the most commercially successful, I know those real gem songs can leave a lasting positive impact on people and uplift them. Knowing I have that responsibility to finish and share those kinds of songs is what keeps me pushing forward.

HAILEY: What were some of the biggest moments or challenges that shaped your path so far?

ILLIAM: One of the biggest challenges I faced was less than a year into taking rap seriously. I got a DUI and lost my job. Thankfully, I beat the DUI in court so it never stuck to my record, but I still had my license suspended for a year. That year turned into a blessing in disguise. I moved in with my good friend Eric — G7ITCH — and he taught me how to produce, make beats, the basics of audio engineering, and really pushed me to better my craft. We struggled all year, but what me, Eric, and the rest of the Whole Heart Collective learned from that season was worth everything.

🇨🇦 COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE

The really dope thing about being a Canadian artist — especially in rap, where language plays such a big role — is that Canada is a huge melting pot of different cultures. I could rap my whole verse in English, or switch it up and drop some French, or add a phrase in Spanish, Italian, or any number of different languages. No matter what, there’s somebody in my country who’s going to understand me.

How wicked is that? I feel like multiculturalism here is a massive advantage.

🚀 BUILDING THE DREAM

Before I ever started taking rap seriously, I went to the Royce 5’9” concert when he came through Edmonton (he’s still my favorite MC). In the middle of “Fast Lane,” he stopped the concert to see who could rap Eminem’s verse the hardest. You best believe I was front row — and I ripped it to shreds and just kept going. It was insane, and homie gave me mad props. That moment definitely made me realize I should take it seriously and do my own thing with the music. Shoutout to Nickle 9.

🤝 NETWORKING SPOT

I’m not gonna lie, I think top of my list for Canadian artists I’d want to work with is The Weeknd. I’ve always loved his production choices and musical stylings, though I’m uncertain what a collab between him and me would sound like. Maybe Drake would be dope too.

🌈 CLOSING

I’ve got a whole new project in the works with over half written, plus a handful of other tunes to keep people entertained while they await the project. Looking ahead, I’m aiming to do shows all across Canada — and maybe even into other countries in the upcoming year.

📲 WHERE TO FIND ME

All of my music links, socials, and my website can be found here: linktr.ee/illiam780

✨ FINAL WORDS

“If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Take that risk. Follow your dreams.”