We caught up Los Angeles-based musician WAV following the superb release of ‘Hollywood’. Read the full interview now!
Hi WAV, how did you first get into music?
I think I was always into music. I loved to sing and speak in rhymes as a child-like from the time I could talk damn near. Some of the kids who lived in the apartment complex I grew up in would show me music and CDs and sh*t, and I would think to myself “Man I could do this for sure”, and I hear hella potential songs and melodies when I hear some sound that touches my heart.
What is the first song that captured your attention as a youngster?
Damn. I definitely was so young that I can’t say for sure. But my best guess is ‘If I had’ by Eminem or the End Theme for the anime Inuyasha. Idk if these is the FIRST, but both them mf songs were some of the first that hit different for sure.
Who influenced your latest release ‘Hollywood’?
Keep it 100, I do not really listen to much music no more. Especially right now. My idea is that since the only audio engineer I work with is continuously tapped in with all the poppin’ engineers and artists in the industry, and if I use contemporary drum kits in my production, I can maintain a modern sound but maintain my identity and my originality as much as possible. MY sound can be both my own and fit the industry mould sound-wise. So really no person influenced the song as much as my day to day existence did.
You are a superb producer as well as artist, do you produce other people?
I appreciate that. Nah I don’t, but I produced both the songs me and BIGBABYGUCCI got coming up. I am not really here to trap beats and sh*t; it would be a waste of my energy considering my goals, I think.
What’s the Hip-Hop scene like in LA?
I think the industry as a whole is pretty dirty both as an independent and for somebody who signs to a major. It is clique type sht, snakes and trendy. However, I have love and appreciation for LA because I have found it more accepting and diverse than the Bay at least. Now that I got some buzz built up people from the Bay be fcking with me but before that no one supported me and it was a lot of hate n doubt that was directed toward me mostly.
What motivates you to make music?
Its a lot of sht that motivates me. The core motive is helping people. Especially people who are in situations that breed hopelessness. Whatever that situation may be. Music was medicine and a safe place for me to escape my real-life issues, especially when you is just a helpless kid; you need something. Other than that its just obsession. I am not exaggerating I be recording and producing sht all day only stop to eat and binge anime.
What are your other passions aside from music?
On some f*cked up shit that I battle with constantly, I am pretty interested in science and the mind. The human condition has for real bothered me my whole life, so I just want to learn. I like to learn. Other than that like anime I guess lol. I am someone who doesn’t really believe in having hella passions. I want to dedicate myself to greatness in what I am passionate about. Doing other sh*t would be spreading myself too thin the way I will be obsessing.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I am multi-racial predominantly identifying with Chinese cuz of how I was raised and (I never knew my dad he was in Africa his whole life up until he died). I think I would like to see more empowered Asian Americans getting recognition, support and non-stereotypical treatment in the industry. Like people still be saying racist slurs you would never say about other races out loud.
What is the best music advice you have ever been given?
My audio engineer told me to never write songs again. Freestyle everything and believe in the authenticity of your unconscious coming unlocked and accept any imperfections. This music sh*t is a practice in self-love and acceptance. How you say, something is more important than how you say it.
What new music are you listening to at the moment?
Just my own sh*t lol. My unreleased stuff and stuff that I got coming out.
What musical plans do you have for the next two years?
I never really think that far in the future. I might sign if its the right deal, or I’ll just be on my empire sh*t.
FVMusicBlog January 2021
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