Lil Grits Explores The Work Behind The Wish In “Dreams”

Anything is possible when you close your eyes and let your mind drift. All of your wishes, as well as all of your fears. Both exist in that unrealized space, and the only way to achieve one and prevent the other is to simply put the work in. It’s a simple sentiment, but one that bears repeating, this time delivered through the candid musical expression of Lil Grits’ single and video, “Dreams.”

“You can get a shot for your dreams\ You can go to sleep and get shot in your dreams,” the song opens, framing wishful thinking as a double-edged sword. Over a soothing beat with clear twinkles of soul, the track drifts along with a carefree ease that never loses its sense of purpose. “You’ll never be Kobe if you don’t put those shots up,” Lil Grits remarks, placing Black Mamba’s imagery between other name-drops of beloved athletes like lucha icon Eddie Guerrero and crossover king Allen Iverson, three legendary figures united not just by greatness, but by relentless effort. The message is clear: aspiration without action leads you nowhere.

The video, shot by nightcr_wler, places that guidance against the backdrop of a crisp autumn day, auburn leaves adorned around, ready to fall in a quiet testament to the cycles required for real growth. Front and center is Lil Griots, the alter ego of Richmond producer and MC Swellthy, grounding the song’s reflection on dreaming in lived experience. For an artist whose body of work has helped define Central Virginia hip-hop over the last decade, these words don’t come as empty encouragement, but rather hard-earned, tried-and-true instruction.

“Dreams” is the last track on Mebane, a five-track EP released in January 2025 that was written, recorded, and produced entirely by Swellthy. Described as a “deeply personal and soul-stirring project that blends lo-fi hip-hop with heartfelt rap,” the project draws from formative moments of adolescence to fuel a steady pursuit of connection and fulfillment. Released nearly a year to the day after the EP first reached listeners, the video serves as a subtle reminder that the journey doesn’t end… it just keeps unfolding.

Watch the video for “Dreams” below and make sure to follow Swellthy aka Lil Grits on social media.