28-year-old KJ Dillard has lived a few different lives; reality TV star, skateboarder, model. But before all of that, he was a musician, playing in a band he started with school friends, and this year—in a full circle moment—he returns to that first love with an unwavering drive.

Today, under the guidance of International Ferg , KJ returns with “My Lil Thing”, a fun and playful tribute to his girlfriend, Dara Levitan. “Music has always been at the forefront of my creative passions,” he tells Complex UK. “I grew up in studios and writing songs, so it was less of a switch and more of a pursuit of a dream that I’ve had for decades.”

Creatively, he cites his grandfather and great uncle as key influences, steering his tastes at an early age and introducing him to jazz, R&B and soul.…