Interview by Dillon Woodward. Produced by Marjorie Alford

Lapi On The Beat Interview

CHIRP Radio is a music- and culture-focused community radio station for Chicago and the world.

Lapis Stone, a.k.a. LapiOnTheBeat, is a classically trained entertainer based in Chicago. Violin, vocals, and choreography are among the many mastered talents Lapi wields. Lapi (born Maurice Javier Griffin Hubbard) is best known for putting on breathtaking performances and putting out breakthrough projects with undeniable crossover appeal across niche and popular genres, even originating some new ones such as "Baroque Folk," "Nightmare Trap," and most recently the edgy futuristic sound of "Nightwave." 

In January 2025, Lapi's pop/rock single "Far Away From Home" reached 16 million views from viral TikTok videos using the song, and it subsequently became Lapi's #1 streamed song on Spotify. The Chicago Music Awards nominated Lapi for Best Classical Entertainer in 2019, which helped secure partnerships with Sony Music and 300 Entertainment in 2020. Lapi has since transcended the major label machine to become a self-reliant pioneer for aspiring superstars to study under.

Now, Lapi operates outside of traditional gatekeepers, curating an exclusive, high-value brand akin to haute couture in music. Instead of chasing mass appeal, Lapi cultivates a dedicated inner circle of listeners around the music who recognize and protect its rarity, making each release and performance a coveted experience.