Exclusive: ''My Dougie'' Rapper Lil Wil Says He's More T.I. Than Soulja Boy

In this exclusive, 21 year-old Dallas rapper Lil Wil reveals his inspiration for his single, "My Dougie," why he likens himself to T.I., and how his collaboration with Soulja Boy came about.

Born in New Orleans and raised in Dallas, rap newcomer Lil Wil is becoming a familiar face in the game thanks to the success of his first single "My Dougie," but Wil says the song actually represents a departure for him.

"I stay doing reality music -- no club joints, no love tracks -- and my homies came at me like 'You got the streets on lock, but you gotta get played in the clubs, that's what will get you on the radio," Lil Wil told. "I took that and thought of another definition for your swag or your personality. Thinking of the original Doug E. Fresh himself, he was full of swagger, real charismatic, so I used the name as a new definition to swag."

Marking new territory for the upstart rapper, the song recently caught the attention of "Crank Dat" superstar Soulja Boy, who eagerly jumped aboard a remix with Wil.

"The song started getting real crazy on the internet and in the clubs and Soulja Boy got in contact with my homie Spain - they flew to LA and Soulja Boy did a hot 16 for the 'Dougie' remix," Lil Wil said. "I listened to the verse and chopped it up with Soulja on the phone. He came here the next week, kicked it with us, we was a part of his show for the Chris Brown "Up Close and Personal" tour and we been cool ever since. We shot a video for the remix about a month ago."

Despite the dance friendly single, Wil says he's more in the lane of a rapper like T.I.

"When Tip dropped he was the underground favorite, he spent a little time in jail, from an underground aspect me and T.I. have that in common," Lil Wil said. "I had a gun fetish when I was young, I caught a lot of charges."

Though he'd like to put his past legal troubles behind him, Lil Wil says he continues to cater to the streets. His June 2008 debut DOLLA$, TX will feature collaborations with a number of local Texas artists including Kiotti, Papa Reu, Deonté, Rude and Big Hood Boss.

"You gonna hear everything, you gonna dance, you gonna cry, it's a real reality check album," Lil Wil said of the project. "Listen to me man and don't just look once take a second look, really study me, I got something to say. I create reality music, every day I wake up it gives me something different to rap about. I'm not stopping, I'm gonna be here."