With all this talk about artists trying new things, Wiz says, "I think any real artist wants to branch out, but it’s finding your way of expressing yourself." Artists are often asked if they would ever step outside of the genres that helped shape them and, for the most part, many say that they are willing to push the envelope. We've seen much of that executed by Beyoncé and Drake in recent months as their releases Renaissance and Honestly, Nevermind, respectively, storm the charts. However, we witnessed Drake be criticized for his latest project—an album that he said he wanted to "challenge" himself with—but despite his predecessors, Wiz Khalifa is looking to expand from Rap.
"I think any real artist wants to branch out, but it’s finding your way of expressing yourself," Wiz told Billboard. "For me, I always think of doing something way out of the box of Hip Hop, whether it be inspired by whatever — but I know how long it takes to actually develop the real bones and DNA of that sound."
He added that it is important for him to study and research any genre he would move into out of respect for its history.
"So that’s where you’ll see me step outside of traditional formulas, because I’ve researched it, tried it, seen how it makes other people feel, and looked at how it makes me feel."
"That’s why with the Multiverse album, I’m so comfortable and I’m so happy to put this out — because I’ve put elements in there that may or may not go over people’s heads, but I know how important they are. I think the real beauty of the experimentation comes from that for an artist, just the confidence of knowing what you know about that certain subject, and being able to put it out there. So if I’m feeling knowledgeable about something, I’m gonna f–king do it. Until then, I’m still learning."
"He was to himself and didn’t like to be around a bunch of people. But the people he did reach out to, he was always super solid [with them]," he said. "He was funny, loved to crack jokes, and his music was really good. He worked to get better and better. He was one of them dudes that was always a pleasure to be in contact with. He smoked a lot of weed too. I loved that about him."
Revisit "On the River" below.
About The Author
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades.
E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen.
Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.
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