What is your name and role within the band?
My name is Wasiu and I am the band. My primary role is being the main and only vocalist and writer.
How did you start?
I started rapping in high school but it was just for fun and very childish. I mostly wrote to make fun of girls who annoyed me and guys who I thought were lame. It wasn’t until around 2011 that I began taking it seriously. Even then it took until 2015 for me to drop my first real single.
Where are you based?
I’m from and based out of the predominantly French speaking city of Montreal, Canada also known as The Frozen Island.
Please give an example of your music writing process?
In the metro on the orange line of the city’s transportation system called La STM. I’m in the corner, window side, resting my head on my right hand while half listening to the next beat I need to write to. My left ear is free to intrude on any of the various conversations happening at once. My eyes wonder around looking for the most interesting person, thing or situation to document. Finally my eyes and ears coordinate and lock in on the source of my next song’s inspiration.
What are you working on right now?
I’m working on taking over the world one project at a time. The most important of which is MTLiens 2 (the sequel to my first tape MTLiens).
What is your gear setup?
All I need is one mic. My DJ needs his laptop and MPC. I also need A Montreal baseball jersey to represent the city. A basketball shooting sleeve on one arm in the image of my favorite player Allen Iverson. A pair of work out gloves because my performances are a full body workout. And a bunch of Haitian & Québec flags.
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
I like to act when I have the time and opportunity. Acting does have a positive effect on my music. It’s one of the reasons I’m able to see things from multiple perspectives which broadens the range of my pen.
Another thing I do is coach basketball to kids. This allows me to stay connected with the youth which is essential to the music because Wasiu is for the children.
How would you describe your music genre?
I make the perfect background music to bump when you’re in a hijacked metro cart off the rails in an Outer space concrete jungle being chased by intergalactic police firing lasers at you #PiuPiu.
Do you know any music theory?
Nope.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans are to complete my MTLien invasion and infect the minds of every man woman and child in the world with the rebellion virus through music.
What are you listening to at the moment?
At this very moment I’m listening to Sean Leon’s new project. Before that I was listening to Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album on repeat.
Who are your top 5 influences and icons?
Too many to narrow down to 5. But if I had to choose I’d say : Kanye West, 50 Cent, Michael Jackson, Teen Gohan and The Afro Samuraï.
When are you playing next?
Sled Island festival in Calgary.
Check out my new video and project No Jumper and Snow Mexican respectively. MTLiens 2 coming soon.
https://www.facebook.com/AfroWasiu/
https://www.instagram.com/afrowasiu/