For artists who’ve come up in Philly’s underground scene, staying grounded is often a matter of survival. Scholito is one of those artists who’s learned how to navigate the long game, avoiding shortcuts, leaning into truth, and building his catalog brick by brick. His latest single, “Ball Drop,” featuring Freeway, doesn’t sound like a celebration for the sake of it. Instead, it feels like a moment of pause, a breath taken after years of steady pressure, reflection, and growth.
Scholito’s early years were shaped by the realities of his environment. Raised by a single mother in the inner city, his introduction to the world wasn’t softened. His brother’s incarceration at 15 introduced a sense of responsibility and urgency that never left. Music offered him a way to process it. As a teen, he wrote to stay focused. By the time Allen Iverson offered him a deal during his senior year of high school, Scholito was already in motion. The advice and belief from Iverson gave him an extra push to commit.
His influences run deep. Jay-Z’s versatility, Nas’s storytelling, and Freeway’s work ethic are all present in his music, not as mimicry but as foundations. He’s studied their approaches to both music and business, shaping his own strategy through their examples. Russ, another key influence, offered a blueprint for how to scale independently. These figures didn’t just shape Scholito’s sound, but also the way he moves through the industry: focused, self-reliant, and deliberate.
The release of “Ball Drop” comes after a period of what Scholito describes as darkness, not just globally, but personally. The past few years held a lot of unknowns, and this record is his way of signaling a shift. The production by Tryfe provides a cinematic base, and Freeway’s feature isn’t just a nod to legacy. It’s a reflection of real history. Their connection goes beyond the track; Freeway’s mentorship has been a consistent influence in Scholito’s career, both in how he approaches the craft and how he thinks about longevity.
The video for “Ball Drop” is more than a visual add-on. It features his brother Dell, newly free after 25 years behind bars, a moment Scholito had imagined for decades. That alone would be significant, but combined with performing alongside Freeway at The Dell Music Center, it framed the project in a deeply personal way. These weren’t industry plays. They were livedmilestones.
While many artists chase major deals or viral traction, Scholitois focused on structure as he expands his empire. Currently, Scholito is working on a TV series with his partner Saint to be titled They Call Me Saint. The creative will be co-writing and starring in the series, with filming expected to begin this fall.
Scholito also fronts his own company, Free World, and recently partnered with 4th Quarter Ent. to expand operations. The rollout behind “Ball Drop” is just the beginning. A full-length project is near completion, and a wave of new visuals and tour dates, including more with Freeway, and that TV series are on deck.
Check out the music video for “Ball Drop” now on YouTube: