When WYVR was 13 years of age, he was introduced to hip hop music. At the time, he remember being very into poetry with his favorite poet being Robert Frost. So WYVR thought, well he'll give this a try for himself. He was terrible for quite a few years, but he enjoyed it enough to keep going till he started getting proficient with his pen. He still lacked confidence at 16 years of age, partially due to the fact he was homeschooled. So his parents signed him up for a tutorial going into his junior year, with about 65 other kids grades 8-12th.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?
The biggest strengths that I've always had are work ethic, perseverance & imagination. I have a lot of belief in myself, which allows me to work hard without worrying about the outcome and keep trying even when I mess up a take or can't hit a note correctly the first try. My ability to step outside my own shoes and look at things from different perspective helps me make better art.
Who inspired you to make music?
I would say Michael Jackson, but if I'm being honest the real people who inspired me were my Grandfather & my Uncle. They both had immense musical talent, my grandfather specifically, who has perfect pitch, can hear something then play it right after an that always amazed me.
Your latest track is 'Ascension'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
The making of Ascension took place over roughly a 4 month span. During this time I was struggling with a lot of life situations that I didn't have a lot of control over. Music has, especially over the past couple years, become a place I can vent/express myself fully when words aren't enough. I make art for other people but this song was just as much a message to me as it was to anyone else.
What is your creative process like?
An average WYVR song usually is written first, even though lately I have enjoyed freestyling and punching in more lyrics, the majority of my work I write in it's entirety. Then I proceed to either find a beat I can use on youtube and buy the stems or I will hit one of the producers I work with(shoutout to Jayks) for beats or added production on one that I've bought. From there it'll take me 2-4 sessions over a months time to record, mix an master it w my engineer(shoutout L2).
What is the biggest decision you’ve had to make?
Whether college was for me or not. Although I think I made the right decision now, a degree would have been nice. Who knows. maybe I'll get one later.
What makes you different from others?
My upbringing for sure. I was homeschooled most my life(grades 1-12) so I have always been outside the norm. My parents were always challenging me to be above average, and I live up to that.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Never compromise who you are to please somebody else. It's not worth it and will get you hurt one way or another.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
In very awesome ways. I can sit here at my computer and conduct an interview, or I chat with another artist who lives across the globe! I know plenty of people who think that it harms the music industry, but I think the standard way of how the business works needs some change anyway.
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?
Usually about the weird dreams I'll have the night before or what the coming day has in store for me.
What are your plans for the future?
I definitely want to start throwing shows locally and release an album sometime this year. Maybe a music video or 3.