RESPECT. Interview: Wake Self Talks Touring with Masta Ace, Making Music & More

Wake Self

Albuquerque, New Mexico emcee, Wake Self, wowed the hip-hop community with his latest video for the track, “I Still Love Her,” his beautifully constructed ode to hip-hop culture. Released in January 2016, it showed hip-hop fans the love and appreciation Wake Self has for his predecessors.

Although his name is not as well known as the Drakes, Ice Cubes or Kendrick Lamars of the world, he’s slowly (but surely) changing that. With his atypical rhymes revolving around community betterment, spirituality and staying healthy, Wake Self’s bars stand out among a sea of generic lyrics that are way too common these days.

Currently on tour with legendary Brooklyn emcee, Masta Ace, Wake Self had a few moments in between shows to talk about his upcoming album Malala, touring with a legend and why New Mexico would be the ideal place for KRS-One‘s vision for a “Hip Hop City.”

Check out what Wake Self had to say about touring with Masta Ace, Phife Dawg and more.

RESPECT.: What inspired you to become an emcee?

I feel like I have something to say other rappers and emcees aren’t saying. And I love the art of rhyme; it’s how I reflect who I am. All the greats before me who ever spit a verse that hit me in the heart and my best friend, Def-i, too.

RESPECT.: What is one of the most important messages you want to get across to the world through your music?

There are so many. Every day I become aware of new struggles happening on this planet that need awareness brought to them. In short, I want to raise the overall awareness of humanity, so we can pay attention to what is really important; to inspire creative solutions to jumpstart the removal of limitations blocking our collective evolution; making suggestions for the average human to be more eco-friendly and health conscious; to show our pain, embarrassment, faults, imperfections, and differences need to be embraced, and we need to be patient and supportive of our personal growth and individual journeys.

RESPECT.: You’re currently on tour with legendary emcee, Masta Ace. How did you make this happen?

Shout out to Ace. A mutual friend connected us and we started chopping it up. He’s a really cool genuine person. I’m thankful for the opportunity.

RESPECT.: Your last video “I Still Love Her” got a lot of positive attention. Were you happy with how it was received?

I am grateful for the love and thanks to everyone who shares the music. Support from the listeners is everything. That’s a no brainer.

RESPECT.: You have a new album coming out, Malala. First why name it after her and second what’s different about this one?

She’s an incredible human and we need more of those. I believe we all need archetypes in the form of examples outside of ourselves to help motivate us to facilitate change in our own realities. It’s a connection musically to a movement of consciousness and social awareness she embodies. To be honest, it’s better in all aspects than anything I’ve released so far. I’m more experienced now. I’m happy with it. The feel and the concepts are more of what I’ve always wanted my music to get across.

RESPECT.: What do you want to accomplish this year?

Just to become me, more and more. I want to become the person who I truly know I’m capable of being, pushing past every limit that holds me back. As I find myself and understand my own individuality, and how to unlock, I truly believe everything will fall or maybe rise into place.

RESPECT.: KRS one once said he would start a “Hip Hop city” in New Mexico. What about growing up in the Zia state has influenced your music?

It made me different that the rest of the world. We have a different flavor out here. We just wanna show the world what we got. As far as Hip Hop goes, we have a deep love for it. We practice the elements and respect the craft and culture in a very honest, real way.

RESPECT.: What did you think of the news of Phife’s passing?

No words. I know the heart of Hip Hop broke into pieces and we all will be forever waiting to see that A Tribe Called Quest reunion tour.