WesWill, the talented underground artist, has been making waves in the music industry since he first got on our radar with his new project at the time "Summer Time Slaps, Volume 1" in 2018. His unique sound and storytelling skills have earned him a dedicated fanbase. WesWill's latest project, "The Game Is The Game," is a testament to his growth as an artist. The album features five tracks, each with its distinct sound and message. "Wrong One" featuring Will Cherry and FifGawd, "Chad and Screw," and "Moon Roof Chronicles" featuring TrapthonJerm are the standout tracks on the album.
"Wrong One" is a mellow track that explores the difficulties of finding the right partner. WesWill's introspective lyrics and Will Cherry and FifGawd's smooth vocals complement each other perfectly, making it a fan favorite. "Chad and Screw" pays homage to two influential figures of the underground music scene, Chad Butler and DJ Screw. The track has a high-energy beat and features WesWill's signature flow, making it a standout on the album. "Moon Roof Chronicles" is a reflective track that explores WesWill's growth as an artist and a person. TrapthonJerm's haunting vocals complement WesWill's introspective lyrics, making it a standout on the album.
The success of "The Game Is The Game" can be attributed to WesWill's exceptional talent and dedication to his craft. His unique sound and storytelling skills set him apart from other artists in the underground music scene. WesWill effortlessly blends various genres such as hip-hop and R&B, creating a sound that is entirely his own.
WesWill's journey as an artist has been marked by his dedication to his craft and his unique sound. His ability to blend various genres and his introspective lyrics have earned him a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim. With the release of "The Game Is The Game," WesWill has cemented his place as one of the most exciting underground artists in the music industry.
In our upcoming interview with WesWill, we aim to gain more insights into his creative process and the inspiration behind "The Game Is The Game." We will also discuss his plans for the future and how he plans to continue growing as an artist. We look forward to gaining more insights into the success of "The Game Is The Game" and WesWill's journey as an artist
Congratulations on your new project "The Game Is The Game." How has the response been so far from your fans and the industry? Can you share any memorable feedback you've received?
Thank you so much! The response has been overwhelming, to say the least. Everybody has been receptive and eager to share their favorite tracks and lyrics. I've had quite a few fans and industry veterans tell me that I "didn't miss," which is essential to me because I create every song with intention and don't put filler tracks on any of my projects. The most memorable feedback I've received is the fans telling me they feel this is an instant classic and will carry into the summer. We are in a time where music can last a week, so to hear people adamantly express to me that this collection of songs will travel with them into a different season is amazing, and I am so humbled.
The title of your project, "The Game Is The Game" has a deep meaning. Can you elaborate on the message behind it and how it relates to your music and personal experiences?
The EP title is a quote I pulled from the HBO series "The Wire." It signifies that everything I'm discussing and going through is familiar. Life has ups and downs that we all experience, but that's inevitable, and we have to keep pushing. It's also a valid sports analogy. The players may change, and the personnel may switch up, but regardless, you have to go out and play the same game that the ones before you played. Avon Barksdale, played by Wood Harris, was talking to a fellow inmate and told him, "Some things never change; the game is the game."
Your project features collaborations with other underground artists. How did you approach the creative process when working with these artists, and how did their contributions influence the overall sound of the project?
On this project, I collaborated with Will Cherry, TrapathonJerm, and FifGawd. I keep the features to a minimum on my projects because I never want my albums to feel like a compilation. However, each artist on this EP brought something special that ties all the sounds together. Fif and Trap provided a nostalgic feel to the records they were featured on. I wanted their dialogue to feel like how Diddy would speak on tracks back in the 90s. Talking that talk and taking the track out the right way. The dark sub bass and bounce you hear on Young OG, BIA, and Wrong One is brought to you courtesy of Will Cherry. He assisted on 3 out of the 5 records with production and vocals and came in clutch. He’s a talented guy, and I am thankful he gave the project that extra thump it was missing. Kito, Hype Alexander, and Tavaras Jordan assisted with production as well. They did a spectacular job of bringing the songs to life and giving me that soulful feel I desired.
Can you take us through your creative process in putting this project together? From conceptualization to writing and recording, what was your approach and how did you decide on the direction of the project?
When putting together this project, I created a collection of songs to set the tone for the year and serve as the follow-up of my 2020 EP, “3 Point Play.” I felt this could be a 2023 “pre-season warm-up,” but I would roll it out and treat it as a full-length album. The calm before the storm, if you will. We took the title “The Game Is The Game” and put together a marketing rollout heavily influenced by sports. Leading up to the drop, I put together an NBA-style press release to kick it off, a live press conference to announce the release date, a Sportscenter Top 10 countdown of song snippets, social media trading cards to reveal each producer on the EP, and more to build hype and anticipation.
Regarding the music, I only had “Moonroof”, and “Young OG” recorded before I tapped Will Cherry for assistance. From there, we crafted the other 3 records together. Sonically, my goal was to record and release a body of work that was an impactful 5 song status update with a big sound, and we accomplished that.
Your music has a unique sound and style. How did you develop your sound, and who are some of your musical influences?
Thank you! What makes my sound unique is that there is a nostalgic element to it, yet, it doesn't feel dated. I take bits and pieces from different regions and eras and mix them all into one sound I made. I read a quote from Dj Quik where he said, "make something that feels familiar but has never quite been heard before." I took those words and ran with them. I learned the double time flow from playing the snare and mimicking the drum patterns with my raps. Once I got hip to Bone and Do or Die, I applied more of a melodic spin to it. My mom played 70's, 80's, and 90's R&B around the house, so studying those artists helped me tremendously with songwriting and melodies. Plus, she had me in the church choir as a kid, so I found my love of singing through that. These musical memories and experiences helped shape the sound you hear today. My main influences are Babyface, Organized Noize, Outkast, Brandy, Jason Weaver, SWV, Parliament, UGK, Curtis Mayfield, and Missy Elliot.
Your previous work has been well-received by your audience. How do you think you have grown and evolved as an artist since your first release, and how does "The Game Is The Game" showcase that growth?
This latest body of work sounds like a more grown and refined version of previous works. My pen game is more potent, my ear for beats has leveled up, my singing has improved, and I am not rapping just for the sake of rapping. My words are heavier because there is more life experience behind them. Previously, I wrote as an artist trying to figure out my path. I now speak as an artist who knows his lane and confidently dominates. I’m speaking on my business acumen, relationship issues, and family life, all from the vantage point of a man in his late 20s.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while creating this project, and how did you overcome them? Were there any moments when you felt stuck or unsure of your direction, and how did you push through?
The most significant hurdle I faced while creating this work was deciding which records to use and which ones to leave off. I make music at a high clip, which can be a blessing and a curse. My team and I have our favorites, but chopping it down to a cohesive body of work that accurately tells the story we want can be tricky! Whenever I am in this situation, I sit with my team, talk through each song we might be on the fence about, and build a case as to why it does or does not need to be on this specific body of work. We always come out on the other side confident that the right decision was made.
Your project has a short tracklist with only five songs. Can you tell us about the reasoning behind this choice, and can we expect a full-length project in the future?
The short track listing is me testing out a different method of music releases this year. Instead of dropping one lengthy project during the summer, I am dropping smaller projects every quarter. That's the beauty of being independent; we can try different methods and release schedules to gather data to see what works and what doesn't. My summer project will be more than 5 songs, though. My fans wait all year for that, and I don't want to short-change them.
Your music has a strong visual aesthetic. Can you tell us about the importance of visual art and branding in the music industry, and how you work to create a cohesive image for your brand?
Visual art and branding have always been essential aspects of my career. I have a 4-year degree in Marketing, and I apply that knowledge to my artistry at every opportunity. I often stress to my peers that branding and visuals are just as, if not more, important than the music itself. With so many artists and musicians competing for the listener’s time and attention, your visuals can be the difference between a click or a skip on your music! You want to give yourself the best chance to compete and stand out. To create a cohesive image, I make sure I am constantly using many of the same themes and imagery in my music and content. My favorite example is how Larry June repeatedly utilizes the organic and healthy lifestyle branding angle to make those things synonymous with him and his artistry. I study his blueprint a lot from a marketing standpoint for sure.
As an independent artist, what advice would you give to others who are just starting out in the industry, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
The advice I would give to those starting out would be to make sure you are constantly telling your story through your artistry. Doing that will attract your desired audience and create momentum for yourself and your brand. Also, be honest and ask yourself what you want from your career. The answer you come up with will help guide your decisions and assist you in navigating this industry. Along my journey, I have learned that there are so many different ways to monetize your art. I love writing music, so I tapped into the sync licensing lane because it perfectly fit me. You don’t have to accumulate millions of streams to make money from music. I also learned that you must relentlessly and shamelessly promote your work wherever possible. Don’t be the artist that is “too cool” to hop on TikTok to spread your music. It is simply a tool that can expand your fan base and expose you to a new audience.
Your music has gained a strong following in the underground hip hop scene. Can you tell us about your plans to expand your reach and grow your fan base?
I am so thankful for the fan base I have accumulated over the years because they truly help keep me going! The plan to expand is simple; be more aggressive yet tactful, with content posting and creation, in addition to heavier traveling and collaborations with other artists. Everything is mapped out; I have to continue to execute.
Can you tell us about any upcoming shows or performances, and what can we expect from a WesWill live performance?
What you can expect from a WesWill performance is a great time, good laughs but more importantly, an experience you won’t get anywhere else. I literally talk to the audience like we’re family. I crack jokes, interact with the people between songs, and bring great energy to whatever stage I am on. I am putting together a mini tour with my top 5 streaming cities, so I will post those dates when we lock them in!
Lastly, what can we expect from WesWill in the future, both musically and creatively? Are there any collaborations or new projects in the works that you can share with us?
I have a few more bodies of work that I will be dropping this year. Of course, I have the annual summer project that my fans always look forward to. Also, I am expanding my pen game and writing for others. I have been sending in demos for other artists, and a couple of those have been recorded and set to release this year! I’m also getting deeper into sync licensing, so expect to hear me in some of your favorite TV shows.
Any last words?
I want to thank you guys for granting me this interview and for the work you do on behalf of underground artists as a whole. You all provide information and a platform that is essential for us creators. Next, I want to shout out to my engineer, Will Cohen. He has my music sounding better than ever and worked very hard on this project. Thank you to Braxton and joVonte for the beautiful cover. Lastly, I would like to thank the listeners, supporters, and anybody that clicked on this article to see what I had to say. To all artists, continue being great; your time is coming. Much love!