Q&A With Up And Coming Hip Hop Artist Wiley Wonder

Hey Wiley Wonder!  Much respect on your new album.  We appreciate solid music, especially form true up and coming MC’s.  Please tell me how long have you been rapping?  Where are you from?  Do you remember where you were at exactly when you wrote your first track!!??

I’ve been writing raps and free styling since middle school. I used to remake popular songs into funny songs similar to Weird Al. I realized my talent when my friends would ask me to freestyle for them or against others who could rap at parties. I didn’t take it very seriously at the time because of my dream to play in the NBA. I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, just outside of D.C. I attended South Lakes High School, home of NBA and Duke legend Grant Hill. And Westfield High School home of Chicago Bears players Eddie Royal and Mike Glennon. I wrote my first songs to a beat package a friend gave me while I was on an extended suspension from high school my junior year.

Your style and rhyme scheme is super raw and different!  How do you describe you sound?  How long did it take for you to find your sound?

Thank you! I’d describe my sound as a Hip Hop Stevie Wonder, using catchy hooks with a message behind it. I try not to waiste any bars. I still feel like I’m developing my sound/style but I’ve been working on it for 5 years.

Tell us about your Hip Hop and/or music influences?  Was there anyone in your life that motivated your to STEP IT UP when it comes to making dope Hip Hop?

I have a ton of music/hip hop influences! My parents raised me on oldies from Michael Jackson to The Temptations. I remember one of the first songs my dad played me when I was around 4 years old was “Who’s That Lady” by the Isley Brothers. Kendrick Lamar sampled that song on his song “I”. I’ll never forget playing my plastic fisher price guitar pretending to play along. That Love for music and guitar has stayed with me through out My life. I’ve been influenced by hip hop artists such as Tribe Called Quest, Outakast, Eminem, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, Chance the Rapper, Lupe Fiasco, and D.M.X.

Please breakdown the creative process of your latest album “Sub Vs Pop”.

Sub Vs. Pop took me about three years of writing and recording. My intentions were to make an album that included “popular” music layered with “substance”. I was tired of listening to mindless women.

What are you looking forward to for 2017?  Anything you going to be doing differently compared to past years?

I’m looking forward to dropping more albums and mixtapes this year. I’ve also been working with my hip hop group 2 the People 4 the People and my band Off the Dome. There will be projects dropping this year from both groups. I plan on dropping a lot more original tracks with in-house beats from producer and 2 the People member Caz Chill.

Any pressuring situations before you decided to push your album?  Did everything work out according to plan?

This album helped me grow as a man and as a musician. It took a lot for me to get this album out from not being able to get old recordings to self-doubt/anxiety.

Any new projects coming out!?

I have 3 solo projects that will be dropping this year. My mixtape B.O.I. Wonder will be dropping next month. My mixtape Wonder Years will be dropping shortly after that. Then I will be dropping my album the World of the Wondorous by the end of the year. I’m also working on a R&B album.

Rappers nowadays think by throwing up a few videos up on social media and pushing quick projects, they can blow up overnight! Give us your view on how over saturated the market is right now with so many MC’s/Producers but not to many quality music.

It makes it easier to stand out from the rest if your music is dope! At first I resented the new music scene but I’ve grown to like it and understand it.

How often do you perform LIVE?  Any shows lined up in the near future?

I try to perform at least one\twice a month at local venues in VA. But I’ve traveled to places like Charlotesville, VA and Lockhaven, PA to perform. I have a show on April 22nd with my band at The Golden Pony in Harriosnburg, VA.

Where do you see yourself in 5yrs time?

I see myself as a successful Independent Artist and entrepeneur. I also see my hip hop group 2 The People and my band Off the Dome being successful as well. I really want to be on my second world tour by then.

Here it is! Our most popular question! What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?

My definition of Underground Hip Hop is a platform for lyricists who don’t have the opportunity or the want to be mainstream. Offering raw talent and emotion.

Where can people find you on the web?  Drop all the vital links.

My album Sub vs. Pop and mixtape Lost N’ Sound are up on wileywonder.bandcamp.com. Check me out on soundcloud, Twitter, and Instagram @wileywonder10. Also like my Facebook Pages for 2 the People 4 the People, Off the Dome, and Wiley Wonder.

Lastly, and shout out?

I’d like to shot out God first and foremost for blessing me with this talent and presenting me with my calling in being a muscician. I want to shot out my friends, Family(Green,Wiley,Aitken,Moore,and Teel) and my girlfriend Melissa. Shot out to my team 2 the People. Members include Arn Da Don, Caz Chill, Graylingskyy, Riel, and Ryan Clark. Check them all out on Facebook. Shot out to the Granda Family,and R.I.P. To Justin. More music on the way!