Sunset City Presents… a conversation with Lil QWERTY though DM that allowed me to ask some questions about his influences, inspirations, process, and plans for the future. I remember seeing Understandably come out and I was instantly a supporter. Tune in to his old catalog on Soundcloud or his latest music videos on the Tall Skeleton You-tube channel – with his latest addition being an 8 minute experimental short-film caliber video directed, shot, and edited by Zane Berry, with animation by James Munzer and background paintings by Aksel Rendon.
What first got you into making music ?
I was always obsessed w rap/reciting raps and shit. Like I remember making my dad and sister sit in the living room while I performed ‘Back Then’ by Mike Jones lmao. I come from a family of music lovers and all that for sure.
But really I got into making music because it was so accessible on garage band and because lil Wayne was cool as fuck.
QWERTY
That’s really great to have started so young with people to experiment artistically with, some people don’t get to experience the joy of collaborating in person from the jump. Who would you say are your top 5 influences?
It’s really hard to limit it to 5 honestly. I love so much shit even just within hip hop its tough. Off tops I’ll say Earl, Mac, Black Milk, Kaytranada, Curren$y. So many more tho fr.
QWERTY
Man RIP Mac, that is definitely a top tier list. Curren$y is at a whole other level with Jet Life Records. Has your degree in audio engineering altered your creative process at all?
“Altered” is an understatement lol I used to have this really rigid idea that rappers should just focus on the words and flows and leave the rest to everyone else. It helped me develop a unique pen and confidence; that’s great- but on the flip it definitely stagnated me creatively.
After learning more about mixing, recording, and producing I have a much deeper appreciation for the entire process and everything that goes into honing your sound. It’s a lot more inspiring when you don’t set limitations on yourself. Anything that helps u get the music out of ur head is a good thing
QWERTY
It’s fantastic to get a birds eye view of the process and then return to your roots to create what you want, that freedom is priceless. Do you prefer writing or free-styling when you record ?
Definitely more of a writer but I feel like that’s been changing over time. I’m trying to capture more of the spontaneous shit too because that’s where a lot of the fun and innovative shit happens. But yeah end of the day I love bars and clever shit so I’ll always make an effort to really pen something when it calls for it.
QWERTY
I feel that, I started with beats and eventually writing poetry but there’s a special energy about a freestyle that demands respect. What is something you would like to accomplish creatively in the next 5 years ?
Completely agree but I’d say there’s even a bit of a gray area in between written and freestyle that I’m trying to harness. Like improvisational I guess is a way to say it. Starting with that and then building if that makes sense. Whatever Thugger be doing lmao
To answer ur question tho I just want to be able to look back and say ” damn u was kinda prolific u released a lot of art the last 5 years “
Anything beyond that I don’t visualize too much nor am I trying to “make it” anywhere in particular. I trust that I’ll end up where I belong/where it makes sense if I just focus on having refreshing shit to offer
QWERTY
That is such a great perspective. Trusting the process vs forcing it is something I meditate on frequently. If you could give your 18 year old self advice, what would it be?
That’s a wild question to think about but I’d prolly say “trust your gut and take your time seriously”
QWERTY
Do you have a timeline for your next project ?
I’m dropping new music all year I’ll put it like that 🙂
QWERTY
Make sure you follow Lil Qwerty on Spotify!
Stay tuned for more interviews, educational content, and great music!