Published: January 12, 2010 1:09 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight January 2010 Edition
Willymack
Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series
Willymack
Lyrically gifted and skillfully talented Willymack is going to amaze and capture the hearts of music lovers with his special blend of music. A solid mixture of Hip-Hop and R&B Willymack's music has something for everyone. Recently, our Webzine spoke to the talented artist about his music and what legacy he wants to leave behind. Here is what formulated from this online conversation.
Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?
Willymack: I remember the first record I bought was Boss Scaggs. A faint memory it is. I also can remember sitting in the back of my mother's Datsun 280zx singing along to artists like Hallin' Oates and Michael Jackson. Good stuff for sure. I don't have any known artist in my family line. The music comes from the powers that be. I just facilitate. Like I tell my boy Smoov, "I hear the beat, I get sick to my stomach, and then up-chuck a track". It is almost an involuntary process.
Isaac: What drew you to pick up a mic in the first place?
Willymack: As far as spitting (rapping), I first picked up a mic when I was invited by my boy Evenflofluent to lace up a 16 on one of his songs. I was about 19 years old at the time. He is the same guy who I was break dancing with in elementary school, so I guess it was just natural progression. We are presently working on our second album together, so we never really stopped.
Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?
Willymack: Honestly, throughout my teenage years I was totally focused on being in the NBA. Just like every other kid I hung out with. Music was just a part of our language and pastime. It was when I realized that the Lakers were not gonna draft me that I began to direct my focus more towards music. Now I am lost in rhythm for ever.
Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?
Willymack: Tough question, I just wish Pac was alive, Lauryn Hill was still singing, D'Angelo wasn't lazy, Lord Tariq and Peter Guns made another album, and that all true hip hop fans would realize what Killuminati is all about.
Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?
Willymack: I will always admire the great Michael Jackson. Too bad they took him so soon and for such reasons. I like Tupac, Tribe Called Quest, Bob Marley, New Edition, Nas, Mob Deep, Outkast, Tha Dogg Pound, Talib, D'Angelo, Phil Collins, Meth and Red, The Roots, Aerosmith, Biggie, Sting, Phil Da Agony, U2, Jr. Gong, Movado, The Click, Common,.….to name a few. "All that other shit is sugar coated and watered down" - E40.
Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?
Willymack: To make timeless music, relate to people personally through musical expression, perform as much as possible, and write hits for other aspiring artists. I love the music industry as a whole. Business is another passion of mine so I will always be in touch one way or another. There is the Artist and the CEO and everyone falls somewhere in between the two ends of the spectrum.
Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?
Willymack: The natural barriers to entry to the music industry are still there. Conversely, the industry as a whole has flattened out. Exposure is not necessarily totally related to capital expenditure. An independent artist can now use the same channels as majors and perform enough to hold down a substantial fan base. The true hustlers and entrepreneurs will be heard. I feel I have a long way to go as an artist, yet the only obstacle at this point is me. I will leave my mark God willing and if time allows.
Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?
Willymack: Yes, find your purpose and fill it. Follow your OWN heart and intuition. If you listen too much to others you will be a mesh of mediocrity. True leaders are one in a million. They are those people who did not sacrifice their integrity, uniqueness or character through the comfort of following others. Conformity is a killer and our ego will be the death of us.
Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.
Willymack: I owe the majority of the music industry knowledge to an artist/businessman by the name of Jeremy Rwakaara (Identity Records). Besides the acute game I soaked up from him, one thing he said to me stuck in my head….and that was to help other people just as he had helped us. Basically, 'Pay It Forward'. We can all synergize. Knowledge is power, money is a catalyst. You can blow a ton of money if you don't have the game to allocate and/or implement it correctly. In addition, you can also blow a whole lot of talent if you do not know how to find the money to create exposure. Bottom line, it is all natural selection, and you don't have to go to the Galapagos to figure that out. If you die doing music, then you are a musician. Do not let the 'industry' dictate your personal purpose as an artist.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?
Willymack: I consider my music to be primarily of hip hop and R&B flavor. I love most genres though. It is essential to exposed to all forms of vibration in order to be a complete artist in my opinion.
Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?
Willymack: Well, all my songs are a representation of me and what is circulating my brain at that time. I have a hard time picking favorites with anything. It causes a syntax error in my brain. I can't even choose my favorite color. Whatever the case, I feel like I am at my peak. I am spewing right now, just need to document and release. Check out "Question & the Answer" and "Willy Knows Best". One track is from my previous work and the other is soon to be released. Listen to "Shouldn't Have" if you are lost for words with your loved one. You can always catch up on Willymack if you need to. My upcoming projects will be very revealing. Trust that.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Willymack: You can access me in the virtual on various sites. If you Google 'Justsickmusic' or 'Willymack', you will find most of my pages pop up. You can get free downloads right now at Reverbnation (www.reverbnation.com/willymack) or www.justsickmusic.com. I am releasing my new solo album along side a brand new project with Evenflofluent. I also need to mention, I have been rehearsing with our new live band every week for a few months now. 2010 is going to be hot.
Isaac: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Willymack: Much love to everyone who has been down since the days of High Intent. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to listen to what I am doing and acknowledge me as an artist. I know in my heart that my personal movement is manifesting through music. Those who support me are a part of it.
Isaac: Any last words?
Willymack: Yes, "Love is the answer, hate is the cancer, can't place it, too basic for us humans to face it, homosapiens due to be extinct don't waste it, time, faith embraced in my rhyme, every time I kick it, death comes life live it, my tongue I bit it, my verse I shit it, that ish you didn't know you need to hear I spit it, spread love never hate I did it, keeping it real until my tombstone yes I'm committed, lames that claim they're number one in the game they don't get it, ammunition with my mouthpiece there is no limit, Willymack the Omni MC, blessed be the people…… I writ it." - Lyrics from 'Blessed be the people' (upcoming single release 2010)
