Interview: Waasi
“I started out at 15, just rapping here and there, but didn’t start releasing music until after I graduated High School. I got a little buzz and was like ‘I can get used to this'. I got comfortable. Until I started going out...”
We sit at a table in his living room discussing complacency. Weaving in and out of the various trial and error decisions one embarks as an artist; Waasi was on the brink of an epiphany.
Hailing from Charlottesville, Virginia, he’s been featured on Heir Wave Music’s Apple Radio playlist, performed various live shows bringing down the house, and released two notable projects: From Virginia With Love(2019) and No Love Lost(2021). The music is a plethora of showmanship - he displays versatility, originality, and homage to his many influences. But even with all the momentum, he’s still human. What’s captivating in our conversation is Waasi’s ability to circumvent his stagnation. In traveling to different settings and opening up his eyes to new contemplations, he’s ready to attack with his consistent energy. His anecdotes emit wisdom, auguring for his status to become even more prominent than it already is. Discussing everything from failure to long-awaited content, here is a sit down with Waasi.
B: Have you ever had a moment throughout your career where you contemplated quitting?
W: Probably when the pandemic first hit. When we went through that period when we weren’t able to do live shows - when I wasn’t able to get that reception, it made me really contemplate if I want to continue doing this. Everybody starts making music for themselves, but eventually, you put it out there and it gets received differently in different areas. Being able to get that energy and positive reception, turns it into something else.
Obviously, when the numbers get involved and when the people get involved, that’s when you start to question what’s the strategy going to be moving forward, but, I generally just love making music.
B: You love making music, but you do speak on the reception and it turns into something else, do you ever find yourself catering to what the audience wants? What’s best from a business standpoint?
W: When I’m going off Live sets, the songs people gravitate to I’m like, “Alright, that’s gonna be on the list for the next show”. When the homies say they want to hear me on something hard or sing, I’ll try that out. I haven’t really made a song with a TikTok in mind or anything like that, I generally just make music that I think is a good sound and would want to listen to.
B: What exactly is Waasi’s sound?
W: Can’t really put my finger on it. When you listen to my albums, every song sounds different. I’m always looking to be diverse. It can be frustrating because I always want my own sound - a signature sound. But I’m always pushing to make something new, something I haven’t made before.