Wavy Da Ghawd: «The underground Hip Hop scene has been my peace, my Eden».
We interviewed Wavy Da Ghawd, a producer who thanks to his frequent collaborations with MCs like Rome Streetz, Eddie Kaine, Rim, Ty Farris and others is heavily contributing to the underground scene in Brooklyn and beyond. He told us about his origins, how he usually produces his beats and much more…
First of all, thank you Wavy Da Ghawd for dedicating your time to us, It’s really appreciated and congratulation on your latest release “Ghawd’s Eden”, where you produced beats for some of the best emcees among the American underground scene and beyond: from Rome Streetz, Ty Farris, Eddie Kaine to Planet Asia, Asun Eastwood. Just to name a few. Can you tell us how the album was born and what was the process that led you to its realization?
WAVY DA GHAWD: “It took me about 3 years really. I grew an overstock of music, most of the people featured on my album are friends and people I corresponded with within the 3-4 years span in the scene. After a while I felt I could’ve picked songs out of the barrel and form a compilation album: I called it GHAWD’s Eden because the underground Hip Hop scene has been my peace, my Eden, it allowed me to express my talent.
Who were the rappers you were most excited to work with and the ones whose style was somehow challenging for you? What about your favorite production on this album (if you have one)? And the MC you didn’t expect would have spit such a powerful verse ?
WAVY DA GHAWD: “ The most challenging rapper? Well I would say every person on this project is meticulous, it was smooth sailing doing these songs. We all share the same ideologies as far as song structuring. My favorite joints on here is “1000 volts“, “Loyalty“, “Gold Flute Glass“, and “Wait’n“”.
Can you tell us where exactly you come from and what your roots are? In your opinion, what are the things that made you who you are, about the place you grew up?
WAVY DA GHAWD: “My father is Italian and French and my mother is Guyana South America West Indian descent. I grew up under a Caribbean household, never really knew my pops”.
A lot of calypso and soca music, gospel, 80s soul, Brazilian jazz, that was my score music as a child. I come from a creative family, my grandfather was a mechanical engineer, my uncle’s were musicians, some and most of my family are artists and painters, creativeness runs with me and my blood line.
How did you start producing? Who has influenced you the most in taking this path? And what equipment did you start making beats with?
WAVY DA GHAWD: “I used to live on a farm in middle America, basically lived in the woods for a good amount of time. I was really bored and I had to find an outlet. I always wanted to make beats, I was always involved in Hiphop most of my life, but my fascination and watching my cousin and peers who produced at the time inspired me.”
How has your way and style of producing evolved over the years? How do you produce now?
WAVY DA GHAWD: “I started out on a 200 usd HP laptop, using Fl studio 12, soundscape changed when I converted to the MPC. I just learned about the MPC actually only at the beginning of the pandemic. I learned how to use it from the homies, I’m just more technical on sample choices now and drum selections.”
What are your major musical influences and inspirations both in Hip-Hop, but above all, outside of Hip-Hop? And can you name some of your favorite non-Hip-Hop LPs?
WAVY DA GHAWD: “Honestly I can’t put my finger on a specific Lp outside of hip hop. There’s variants of music I love: I do fuck with psychedelic music, old soul, Premo (DJ Premier – ed’s note), Rza, Madlib, Doom Dilla inspire my sound”.
What is your favorite place in New York where you like to diggin’ records? And when you have to sample a record, what are you immediately looking for or what usually inspires you at first?
WAVY DA GHAWD: “I usually dig thru old anime ost’s, digital. My girl just started getting me to dig for vinyl. I go to Rotten Island records when I do dig”
You often collaborate with Rome Streetz: How was your connection with Rome Streetz born? How did you meet?
WAVY DA GHAWD: “In 2018, when I first moved to NYC the first rapper I met was Rome. Rim, and Sauce Heist in the same vicinity, ever since then I engaged by giving beats to all of them and relationships were born, these guys and many more grew to be a strong faction to my career.”
Is there, from your point of view, a return of general interest in a classic New York Hip Hop sound? What is your perception and what mistakes should the artists (producers and emcees) involved in this scene avoid to stay relevant?
People are starting to seek more substance more than anything.
I want to actually help and contribute to that classic sound and supersede the stigma that this music is for all.
It’s fly, it’s grown, it’s creative poetry rhythmic patterns.
Most artists today have an idea that image will carry them,
but talent and charisma will rule king or queen respectfully.
Which MCs would you like to collaborate with which you have not yet collaborated with? Who is on your bucket list?
WAVY DA GHAWD: “Ghostface, Rae, Freddy Gibbs, Rass Kass, Stove God Cooks , Mach Hommy.”
What are you working on now?
WAVU DA GHAWD: “I’m putting together some things , beat tapes. I got a joint with Asun Eastwood , Chyna Streetz (Bad Influnyce affiliate) , Mah Yah (Mc from the West coast). I got surprises too✌️”.
