Pur·pose by definition, is the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. GAWVI is one artist who not only stretches himself to creative new heights but has done so with an immense amount of purpose. His latest single Late Nights is full off alluring-energy which drew me to chatting with him further. Learning about his dynamic background spurred on my curiosity which was spot on that there is more to what meets the eye. We had a phone interview that blew me away because his passion and sound personality also reflected in his music. Hearing an early copy of the Ep Lost In Hue inspired me to further share this versatile talent with you all. Check it out, I can't wait to hear what you think, I have a feeling you're going to love it!
Mm: I am very inspired by what you said about using your creativity to inspire and unlock peoples potential which is really why I do, what I do! Having conversations that motivate and inspire people to do something greater with their life you know. I would love to know when did that click for you, that your talent is meant to be fused with that purpose so to speak?
G: I would say, it really clicked when I was around 16 years old. I was rapping at that time. I was doing an outreach program for inner city youth and basically there would be a bus from my church that would go out and start speaking to them about life and stuff like that and then, I would rap. I just started seeing people really interested and desiring positivity in their life + desiring more than what things our mind thinks we need to fulfill us. I started seeing them desiring something more than just you know what we see on TV with money being thrown around all the time and materialistic things. As I kept on growing as a producer and as an artist even being an intern for Pharrell, I noticed how much the impact has as far as music on peoples lives. I really wanted to be apart of that shift in culture like a lot of people that I’ve looked up to. I wanted to be part of that --not just to make music-to-make music but to have some type of meaning behind it.
Mm: Well, speaking to shift in culture you have transitioned now from hip hop to a more dance vibe, was that an organic shift, or was that a leap of faith that you felt you needed to make?
G: From Hip-Hop to pop--EDM stuff, I’ve always done it all. Even some latin music! When I release my debut album you’ll hear some of the culture inside of it. I think its been a very easy shift because its something that people haven't really known about me. I am pretty much more known, as far as my hip hop side, because I was on a hip hop label. Yet, now being able to do my own artist stuff, I’m going to just shine bright in my colors that I’ve been wanting to do for a while. I’m excited!
Mm: That is exciting and I think it takes versatility to be able to say, I’m not going to stick to just one lane and spread my wings and see what else I can do. Within that, I really respect that you have maintained a character of being yourself.
G: Thank you!
Mm: How do you do that within an industry that is you know so to speak telling you how to be at times? How do you stand firm in who GAWVI is and not worry about what “they” tell you to do to sell?
G: I have great parents where they’ve always told me that great saying of “show me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are”. You know, I’ve grown up with people surrounding me that I wanted to be like or I aspired to be...one day and we just all grow together. Since I was probably in middle school until now, I’ve always surrounded my inner circle with people that have the same dreams or people that are heading in the same direction as me. I think that’s very important just growing up in life, you always want to make sure your circle is there to challenge you and there to encourage you. I don't think you should have friends or people around you that’s always being negative. If there is any type of negative it should more to build you up-- you know.
Mm: I agree, constructive feedback for-sure!
G: Right!
Mm: Your instagram post, I recently saw from this summer was mad cool. It was the post where you did a video for your viewers asking them if they are listening and then you went into this room and then the room turned into a something else. The graphics were incredible, I don't even have the words to describe what you did on a technical level because it was that far advanced for me haha. What was the whole idea behind that?
G: The videos, yes those were super fun. So we got this guy that became a huge vine sensation, he became very famous on that. We found him because he was a fan of some of the music that I was producing. The guys at the office, they were showing me his stuff and I was like man it would be awesome just to have him come to the office and do some stuff with him. Little did I know it was actually going to turn out to be some promo stuff for my EP. So the story behind it is that my EP is called “Lost in Hue” we really wanted to make a cool like video of my activities but not in a scary way more like whoa this is interesting and fun. So we did video clips of me getting lost in colors inside the studio while I am creating this album. The first one is I’m trying to do a vlog series with my go pro as I’m creating out of nowhere, the beat drops and I fall to like a city view of everything and its just craziness. When I fall back into my chair these colors burst out of the chair and I’m shocked. I’m like what just happened? Then the second one goes on and I’m describing to one of the lead artist you won't believe what happened in the studio and he comes in and we jump, then we’re floating in the air-- it’s just a whole bunch of fun stuff. So, I wanted to make sure the fans had a cool perspective of the EP, instead of just the regular hey here’s behind the scenes studio work, I wanted something fun.
Mm: No, my mind was blown. I was like yo, how did they --thats so, I was in awe. I’m glad I caught that because that was really dope!
G: It’s funny the you asked me that because I’m actually working on the video this week now of those same kind of stories for the EP too except it comes out September 9th.
Mm: Nice - Nice! September is the best month. Its like your EP’s dropping your birthday is the 23rd my birthday is the 6th, September is just a beautiful month.
G: It is a beautiful month!
Mm: Speaking to your EP I am loving your song Late Nights, its the song that inspired me to say yes, I need to talk to him.
G: Awesome!
Mm: And.... I was listening to your song on the EP “You Are” and I was like there is a deeper meaning behind this song. I can just feel it. Like a huge -- huge meaning and I feel really blessed that I get to ask you what does it mean to you?
G: Yeah, so that song my friend in I were in the studio his name is Stan Johnson he is the one thats singing and we’re both in the studio I’m playing some cords and were just talking about life. He’s actually a really good friend of mine, we chill all the time and he was just telling me some stuff that was going on in his life and I’m talking back and forth about stuff in my life and I realize a lot of times we look at our reflection in the mirror, sometimes there are a few people that are looking in the mirror and they can't even find their souls. But then there’s a few people looking at the mirror looking down on themselves every single time and not happy at what they see. We really wanted to create a song first verse “ I’m looking at the reflection and I can't really see what I desire to see. I just see all the mess and brokenness”. Then the second verse is on a spiritual tip where I come from a Christian background that when you look at your reflection there is something deeper than just you and I truly believe that its Jesus right at your side saying hey, I’m here with you walking by your side and thats the message behind my heart with a lot of things. You will hear that through my music and I want to make sure people know that there’s something deeper in life. There is a sweet victory at the end of the line for people who don't think they can do it, there is something powerful out there for them.
Mm: I LOVE it, I knew it-- I knew it! I felt it. I was like ummm there is a message coming through this yasss! I love it! So seeing that 2016 has been pretty incredible for you and its is coming to this quick end, how would you like to see if land for you if you could have the desires of you heart play out for the ending of the year?
G: I’m really desiring and its heading in that direction, I want to make sure right after EP 2 I am on the road almost every single weekend. I already have a whole bunch of shows lined up, starting in September so I am very excited about that. I really want to continue promoting Ep1 & Ep2! There are two songs that have been picked up to go on the radio and I am very excited about that. So just really encouraged at the opportunities that I get to do right now.
Mm: When you think of the bigger dream that you get to have within all of this, with your music and where it’s heading plus your creativity within your videos. Where would you like to see this going overall. I know this is a loaded question where we can only plan so much and also taking into account that man proposes and God disposes. I just see.... this is clearly something that has been on your heart since a young age and it is heading in that direction.
G: I’m still blown away by all the opportunities that have been presented to me. I never knew that certain things were going to blow up the way that they have. Especially within the timings of my life, so I’ve been enjoying this thrill ride I believe that God has been taking me on. I do desire to one day be doing major festivals like Ultra Festival or Tomorrow Land and being part of a culture shift within that world. Just being out there and speaking to people. Doing conferences, speaking about my life. I really feel like I have a message, so not just doing music but speaking to people. Getting more connected within the Latin community. I’m Latino so I really want to be a voice in that area as well. I’m on a rollercoaster and I am enjoying the ride right now-- and we’ll see where it takes me.
Mm: On that note, I knew it my gut was like.... I got to speak with GAWVI and I am thankful that I had opportunity. I want to take a moment to continue to speak life into your career and the voice that you get to be within this industry and what God has in store for you. Your steps are definitely being ordered and we need more men like you who are of your background with swag but stand strong in their beliefs in God and aren't afraid to show it! I am cheering you on.
G: Wow! Thank you so much, that means a lot thank you.
Keep up with Melissa Mushaka For All Things Media
“Follow GAWVI here for the latest drops and his two new EP’s Lost In Hue and Holding Hue”
