Exclusive | Dre Walton Talks Motivation From His Daughter and Making Feel Good Music
Cleveland singer, Dre Walton, talks being motivated by the addition of his daughter and making feel good music for his fans in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“What separates me from other artists in my genre is the fact that I’m a RAW talent. No autotune needed, I write all of my own material and sing it.”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Cleveland singer, Dre Walton! Dre brings a soulful R&B sound which reminds you of artists such as Lyfe Jennings, T-Pain and Tank. He recently dropped a new video to his song "WYDT" which stands for “what you doing tonight.” Dre Walton has a laid back vibe and relatable lyrics that anyone can get into. This is definitely an artist you should add to your playlist!
Dre Walton - "WYDT" (Official Lyric Video)
We talked with Dre Walton in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Dre Walton: I’ve been making music since probably around the age of 14. I always knew I could sing but I started to write my own music at that age. I just tried my hand at it and it sounded decent for a young teen.
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
Dre Walton: My biggest influences musically would have to be Tank and Avant. I believe I carry a little bit of both artists in my own bag. Avant being from Cleveland Ohio like myself and him being the last R&B artist from my city to be signed and recognized nationally. I met Tank via Twitter around 2010 or something and ended up opening his Savage Tour stop in Cleveland in 2017.
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
Dre Walton: I’d like to work with Ty Dolla $ign, Chris Brown, Tank, ASAP Ferg & Rocky…H.E.R., SIR, Anderson Paak. All these artists have significant sounds and hold down their perspective lanes in the music industry. I respect that. And they’re all original artists they don’t sound like anyone else.
What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
Dre Walton: I believe ALL of my work is BEST because the world hasn’t heard my sound yet. My personal favorite record of mine is “11.16” because it represents & signifies a shift in my life and career as a man and artist. All my work is based on True stories.
What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
Dre Walton: I have a few projects I’ve been working on. 2021 is going to be a ride for everyone who’s been supporting and everyone who becomes a fan of what I do!
How do you generate new ideas for your music?
Dre Walton: Everything I write is from experience so it might be someone I know dealing with something or me personally dealing with something rather good or bad. I write about it. That’s how I get my ideas out. After I roll a few joints of the “Pressure Pack” lol.
What motivates you and how do you define success?
Dre Walton: Life motivates me. My daughter Melody Rain recently came into the world so she’s added much more motivation since then. I love her life. Success to me is being able to do what you love , take care of your family and doing good with your people while doing it. I really want my gifts to be able to take care of my family for generations to come.
How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
Dre Walton: I make music that feels good!! You can pop my songs on and every one of them will make you feel good, feel like dancing, making love or all the above at the same time. What separates me from other artists in my genre is the fact that I’m a RAW talent. No autotune needed, I write all of my own material and sing it. I’m also a Veteran of the US ARMY; I’ve been deployed twice to Iraq in my younger years.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Dre Walton: Yes, but it isn’t the same for all artists. The common thing is staying consistent. Repetition is another. Keeping God first is number one.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
Dre Walton: My Family.
In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Dre Walton: Hmmmm. I’d say Beyonce and Jay-Z…like it or not they are the culture in black music.
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Dre Walton: Joy, Passion and Love.
What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Dre Walton: I left the military in 2010 to make music. I could have stayed in and got a great steady paycheck and benefits after 20 years but my heart wasn’t in that. I’ve been without a car, a job, money, and a peace of mind. I’ve spent thousands in my career to do what needs to be done. I regret nothing.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Dre Walton: Creating. The entire process from the idea to the finished product. The part that discourages me the most is when you’re independent and its hard to reach an audience outside your current area until you start to branch outside of your hometown.
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Dre Walton: I see myself Grammy award winning. Multiple accolades in the music industry, writing for some of the upcoming artists and eventually running my own record label.
What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Dre Walton: Don’t give up if it’s something you want, do whatever you have to do to make it happen. Its a Marathon not a sprint. Enjoy the ride have fun with your art.
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Exclusive | Singer NIKO Talks Being Versatile as an Artist And Working on Her Debut EP
Detroit singer, NIKO talks having versatility as an artist, creating her debut EP, and being inspired by her grandmother in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“I don’t want to be put in a box by society because the industry does enough of that. If you hear me singing R&B one day and Rock the next, mind your business.”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Detroit native and singer, NIKO! This artist brings a chill vibe to her music, with tracks you can vibe to at anytime. For the past few years NIKO was always featured on other's music and projects until she finally decided to take matters into her own hands. NIKO blends her aggressive attitude with her melodic voice while utilizing her skills in sheet music and songwriting. This a young artist who is doing music the right way; add her to your playlist!
We talked with NIKO in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
NIKO: Although I knew the creative realm was for me for a long time, I always wrote in middle school and then I started recording features once I got to highschool. However, it wasn't until 2018 that I finally recorded my written music.
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
NIKO: I’m most inspired by Jazmine Sullivan, Jhene Aiko, James Fauntleroy and Frank Ocean. I’ve always clinged to artists who never hesitated to get their point across regardless of the style.
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
NIKO: I would love to collaborate with Smino, Anderson Paak, James Fauntleroy and Ty Dolla $ign. All of them are very versatile, any song they touch is quality.
What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
NIKO: Since I've only just started recording all of my creations are on Soundcloud, everyone's favorite sound by me is “Needed You”.
What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
NIKO: I’m currently working on an EP, I'm still unsure of the title. I want it to be perfect, for my first official project.
How do you generate new ideas for your music?
NIKO: I don't have a set process when generating new ideas for music, some ideas come from how I’m feeling in that moment. Most times I'll listen to the beat and hum different melodies then insert keywords I hear.
What motivates you and how do you define success?
NIKO: As cliche as it sounds, my source of motivation comes from my hometown, Detroit. I'm from a city where the history of music is monumental and talent is everywhere. Success is more than just having commas in your bank account but also being mentally stable and satisfied with the hard work you've put in.
How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
NIKO: My music is nice nasty, I don't mind to hear a soothing beat and snapping on it. I like to think I bring a contrast to my music. I want people to hear the beat and expect me to sing a certain way about a specific subject and it turns out completely different.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
NIKO: Not necessarily formulas sound so strict, I think strategies are the key to being a successful artist. It's all about that individual artist and their goal and purpose. Being in a creative realm should never have limitations or rules.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
NIKO: My greatest inspiration is my grandmother Joyce, though she's been without us for a few years and I lost her way before I started taking music serious. I can still feel her tough love from here. I like to think she's helping God clear the debris from my path to allow me to become the highest version of myself.
In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
NIKO: Rihanna is so bossy, not only is she musically complex but she makes boss moves and makes sure her bag is solidified.
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
NIKO: It's a merge of anger and passion because majority of my anger comes from a place of passion.
What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
NIKO: I had to take a break from school, because it was too time consuming for me. I do plan to go back in the future, but right now I figured why not work on plan A first and then go back to plan B.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
NIKO: The same thing that excites me most is the same thing that worries me sometimes, which is being an open book and singing about my deepest emotions. However, I'm aware that it is necessary to reach the goal I've set for myself, I choose to be that voice for the speechless.
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
NIKO: I see myself recording and touring with many different talents and mentoring a younger musically inclined generation. I plan to be more than just an artist or vocalist, there's so much more I want to accomplish even outside of music.
What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
NIKO: Patience IS a virtue. Nothing comes overnight and if you believe you deserve it then never allow the waiting game to deter you. Hone AND own your material. Perfect your craft while you wait because there's always work to be done.
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Exclusive | William Prize Talks Overcoming Depression and His Upcoming Project "Mind Games"
North Carolina rapper, William Prize, talks overcoming depression with his music and creating his upcoming project, "Mind Games" We talked with William Prize in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is William Prize, an under the radar lyricist from the East Coast! Prize is a recording artist, and partner CEO of AZUS Records hailing from Fayetteville, North Carolina. He graduated from 71st high school in 2012, served in the armed forces for a while and is now pursuing a bachelors in audio engineering. Aside from music, Prize finds passion shooting photography and playing basketball. This is an artist with a soulful vibe with lyrics that you can feel. Keep your eyes out for Prize because this is someone you need in your playlist!
William Prize - “Brotha From Another” Music video
We talked with William Prize in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
QUESTION: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
William Prize: I’ve been making music for almost 2 years now. Once I’d gotten out the military in 2016 I wanted to find a new hobby and I’ve always loved music so I figured I would learn how to produce. I was scrolling down my Snapchat and seen my bro Cidy Pyramids making a beat and asked if he could teach me the ways haha. I pulled up that day and been pulling up every since. We would eventually drop our first collab instrumental tape entitled “MAD COLLAB” which can be found on SoundCloud.
QUESTION: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
William Prize: My team is my biggest influence by far! There motivation and drive keeps me going and everyone is a high caliber artist so it keeps all of us on our toes for sure. I have a wide range of music I listen to but I’m a huge fan of Common, J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T, and Kendrick to name a few!
QUESTION: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
William Prize: I would like to collab with Anderson Paak, bro has the most soulful and free sound I can think of right now. I would like to do a song with Solange singing the hook , I love her voice.
QUESTION: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
William Prize: I love every song that I’ve dropped for a different reason but one of my favorite verses that’s out is the outro on my first EP light tape called “LIGHTS OUT”. The song focuses on a time period in my life where I was coping with depression and heavy drinking and me beating it and I think everyone needs music that pulls them out of a dark place.
QUESTION: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
William Prize: I am actually finishing up my 2nd major project “MIND GAMES”. I started working on it a week after my last project dropped. It has stories of my life that I feel can help others in theirs. It hits on relationships, happiness, life, the good and bad times. I wanted it to sound like their perfect cross between hiphop & neo soul. No release date yet but it will be out before the end of the year
QUESTION: How do you generate new ideas for your music?
William Prize: My creative process is ever changing. I always have a direction that I start with, after that, however the beat makes me feel takes over from that point forward.
QUESTION: What motivates you and how do you define success?
William Prize: There is an old saying that goes if you find a job you love you’ll never have to work again a day in your life. I’m motivated to do what I love! I’m chasing a lot of the things that people usually associate with success but the main thing I’m After is happiness, self love and things of that nature. I’ve had big money, I have a nice car, and neither of those made me completely happy so that’s not how I define success.
QUESTION: How do you describe your music to people?
William Prize: An old school feel with a new school vibe. I’m a lyricist and an empath, I want to make the listener feel something or recall back to a certain time.
QUESTION: Who is your greatest inspiration?
William Prize: J.Cole has been inspiring me since the 10th grade. Knowing that somebody from my city with his style not only made it but is an icon makes me feel like it’s possible for me as well with the work ethic!
QUESTION: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
William Prize: I’d have to say Jay-z just knowing about where he came from and seeing where he made it to.
QUESTION: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
William Prize: Saddness, not to say that my music is sad but in my music from sadness comes the want for happiness and a passion for betterment. I was down and out about a lot of things then music came into play and gave me an outlet.
QUESTION: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
William Prize: Mostly financial sacrifices, I invest in my craft more than I can take care of my own business sometimes but it comes with the territory.
QUESTION: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
William Prize: Hearing the finished product of a dope idea after its mixed mastered dressed and ready to go most deff. And most discouraging would be whenever I catch writers block or I can’t cook up a fire beat, I be feeling like everything is off when I’m lacking in both departments.
QUESTION: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
William Prize: in 10 years I see myself with about 4 successful albums out, traveling the world maybe even dabbling in acting I see my music being a vibe to listen to and it will take you back to a feeling or vibe, so I guess I can say I can see my music being timeless in 10 years.
QUESTION: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
William Prize: Don’t be intimidated by what’s “popular” do what feels right to you when it comes to your style. Grow as an artist naturally and stay consistent with it all.
QUESTION: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
William Prize: Nothing but just too be on the look out for my tape mind games ! It’s Prize season !!!