Will-C - Boston Public
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It's time to throw a spotlight on a new artist. Will-C steps straight outta the shining Hip Hop beacon of Boston. I caught up with him for a little interview and promo drop of his new single. Will-C is a rapper and producer like no other, a man with forsight and perspective beyond his years. Blessed with a rapid fire flow and authentic heartfelt lyrics, Will's debut album 'Evil In The Mirror' (July 27th, Brick Records) delivers a breath of fresh air over a dry musical desert.
At What Age Did You Fall In Love With Hip Hop?
I'd say in 6th grade. Prior to that, it had been a love / hate type thing. I was still young when my brother Eli started getting heavily into Hip Hop. While I was dubbing cassettes of the 'Return of the Jedi' soundtrack, the latest Ice Cube record was coming through the walls, rattling my gold spray-painted tee-ball trophies. It would piss me off!
What Are Your Influences As An artist?
Initially, Influences stemmed from the music I listened to in my teens, just wanting to emulate anybody from the Golden Era. These days, inspiration can mess me up. I'm a man of extremes and I'm hard on myself. I want to contribute something new and invigorating for others. If that ain't happening on a given day, I take an L, which feels a lot worse than anybody else on this planet trying to hand me one.
Whats Up With You And Brick Records?
My first year in Boston, I was tripping over my own feet, scrambling around trying to find all these people I look up to, attempting to somehow get a foot in the door. That's when I got introduced to Raydar Ellis, he just recorded a single with Esoteric and Ed OG for Brick. He brought me over and my relationship with the label blossomed from there.
Do You Prefer To Rhyme Or Produce?
Rhyming came first, and the rest followed, partially out of necessity, sometimes YOU gotta make it happen. With production, it's wonderful to have creative control. Truthfully, I always loved the idea of being in a group, but something like that never came together. The result is over the years, I learned how to become self sufficient.
What Would You Like To Achieve In Your Recording Career?
Ultimately I want a body of work that I can always respect and be proud of. I don't like to compromise my music, I want it to be what I intend it to be, without modifying it out of a fear of being too abrasive or too left-field. It would be nice if there are some people who will connect with it emotionally, because as a listener, that has always been a special thing for me, to feel empathy and be able to relate with the artist.
Who Is The Greatest Rapper Of All Time?
My standard answer is Rakim. This probably isn't the common choice from his catalogue, but I usually list 'Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em' as my all-time favorite album. Large Professor and Rakim, that's all I need to say. When I was listening to my headphones in the passenger seat of my Mom's car and got to 'No Omega' for the first time, my face melted.
Is Hip Hop Dead?
I'll rock a "Hip Hop Sucks Because Of You" t-shirt any day of the week, but you wouldn't catch me wearing anything saying Hip Hop is dead. A lot of people make a mockery of this music and culture, but as long as I'm looking forward to albums from other people doing this, then it's alive and kicking for me. Honestly, the phrase became annoying to me. It's gets under your skin. It's Hip Hop's "Got Milk?"
I'd say in 6th grade. Prior to that, it had been a love / hate type thing. I was still young when my brother Eli started getting heavily into Hip Hop. While I was dubbing cassettes of the 'Return of the Jedi' soundtrack, the latest Ice Cube record was coming through the walls, rattling my gold spray-painted tee-ball trophies. It would piss me off!
What Are Your Influences As An artist?
Initially, Influences stemmed from the music I listened to in my teens, just wanting to emulate anybody from the Golden Era. These days, inspiration can mess me up. I'm a man of extremes and I'm hard on myself. I want to contribute something new and invigorating for others. If that ain't happening on a given day, I take an L, which feels a lot worse than anybody else on this planet trying to hand me one.
Whats Up With You And Brick Records?
My first year in Boston, I was tripping over my own feet, scrambling around trying to find all these people I look up to, attempting to somehow get a foot in the door. That's when I got introduced to Raydar Ellis, he just recorded a single with Esoteric and Ed OG for Brick. He brought me over and my relationship with the label blossomed from there.
Do You Prefer To Rhyme Or Produce?
Rhyming came first, and the rest followed, partially out of necessity, sometimes YOU gotta make it happen. With production, it's wonderful to have creative control. Truthfully, I always loved the idea of being in a group, but something like that never came together. The result is over the years, I learned how to become self sufficient.
What Would You Like To Achieve In Your Recording Career?
Ultimately I want a body of work that I can always respect and be proud of. I don't like to compromise my music, I want it to be what I intend it to be, without modifying it out of a fear of being too abrasive or too left-field. It would be nice if there are some people who will connect with it emotionally, because as a listener, that has always been a special thing for me, to feel empathy and be able to relate with the artist.
Who Is The Greatest Rapper Of All Time?
My standard answer is Rakim. This probably isn't the common choice from his catalogue, but I usually list 'Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em' as my all-time favorite album. Large Professor and Rakim, that's all I need to say. When I was listening to my headphones in the passenger seat of my Mom's car and got to 'No Omega' for the first time, my face melted.
Is Hip Hop Dead?
I'll rock a "Hip Hop Sucks Because Of You" t-shirt any day of the week, but you wouldn't catch me wearing anything saying Hip Hop is dead. A lot of people make a mockery of this music and culture, but as long as I'm looking forward to albums from other people doing this, then it's alive and kicking for me. Honestly, the phrase became annoying to me. It's gets under your skin. It's Hip Hop's "Got Milk?"
Talk A Little About The New Single
The underlying message on the 'Evil In The Mirror' album is that there are two ways to look at things. On Losers, I begin by firing off my grievances with the world around me. The curveball is that the finger pointing quickly turns into a more self-reflective realization that I might be the one who's got it wrong.
Losers
The underlying message on the 'Evil In The Mirror' album is that there are two ways to look at things. On Losers, I begin by firing off my grievances with the world around me. The curveball is that the finger pointing quickly turns into a more self-reflective realization that I might be the one who's got it wrong.
Losers
I chose 'Synthetic Genetics' to be the b-side of 'Losers' to further execute an idea of unexpected juxtapositions. The two tracks are completely different from one another. Losers is derived from a folk track, while Synthetic Genetics is as far from an unplugged sound as you can get. While Losers clocks in at an 85 BPM, Synthetic Genetics shifts into overdrive at 115. Esoteric came through and destroyed it with his verse. I truly think of him as one of Hip Hop's most gifted minds. Last year we teamed up on Wrestlelectro off his Esoteric Vs. Japan album, and it was very important to me that we continue to bring things to new heights every time we collaborate.
Synthetic Genetics Feat. Esoteric
Synthetic Genetics Feat. Esoteric
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