By: Todd “DG” Davis
Rapindustry.com
Rather than riding on the coattails of his famous father, 65Waxx, the son of N.W.A and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee MC Ren, is carving out his very own unique niche in Hip Hop. Let’s find out exactly how…
Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested? And how did it all begin for Waxx?
I couldn’t even tell you honestly, it’s been around me since I could remember…grew up to my parents blasting music everyday in the house.
Now you’re a native of Long Beach, CA, correct? So growing up in the ‘LBC,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest influences? Your legendary dad notwithstanding…
Yeah, fair to say, shit my daughter used to go to sleep to Nate Dogg Greatest Hits instead of regular baby sleep music. “Me and My Homies,” featuring Tupac, specifically…I’mma leave it at that, haha!
That said, how do you describe / define the style of music that you create and perform?
I would say a real laid back, cool type rap, real life raps in a wavy way, but something you could put on and just press play (is) usually what I aim for.
Speaking of your dad, how much actual input / involvement does MC Ren have when it comes to the overall hands on experience with you and your music?
He really just always let me know if it’s weak or not, lol! Of course he always give me game, so it’s like I’m seasoned when it comes to what I should and shouldn’t do.
And, has He given you all any real beneficial / helpful advice, being that he has been in the music business for over three decades now?
All advice from my pops is beneficial. He did it all, seen it all, would be stupid to not take his advice. He so chill now he just be happy to see me grinding on my own more so than just running with his name and bleedin’ the whole situation.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
Really just to become a fan of my music and hear what I be saying, cuz I’m really poppin’ it…but same time I’m speakin’ to a lot of different crowds and all the topics are real life things you could learn from if you pay attention type shit.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
That’s tough…Anita Baker or Sade, just cuz I love them and my mama would go absolutely crazy if I popped up like, “listen to me and Sade new song, haha!”
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Staples Center / Crypto Arena. That’s just like home court, that would be insane. Kobe’s house? You shittin’ me?!
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?
It’s cool, I don’t be politicin’ too hard on the whole rap game thing, I fuck with all the new music and artists that be coming out. I think it’s at a point where it has had such trendy moments it’s getting back into bars and lyrics when you think of the whole Dot vs. Drake theory or how Larry June and Curren$y continue to have huge success on a much smaller scale year after year. I fuck with it all from that to YB to Remble.
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
Staying true to myself; anybody that has followed me knows I’ve put out music before and played with deferent sounds, as most artists do, but I think the key is staying true to myself and staying consistent, for real.
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from entertainment?
Keep being a great Dad to my beautiful baby girls…Niggas ain’t fucking with my daddy skills, haha!
What’s an average day like for you?
Wake up and shower up, the whole hygiene thing, get my two baby girls together and help them get out the house with the mother. Then I usually start tackling small goals; lil checkpoints…at some point I twist up a blunt, OG of course, work on music and let the plot thicken. I really just be doin’ it up every day. I might hop on my PC and play GTA with YBN Nahmir, ain’t no tellin’, lol!
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…
Like they the homies, literally. I don’t be all extra fake, overly thankful, I be like, “good lookin’ cuh,” and I might go on they page and cracc a joke under one of they pics…but I’m as real as they come, so it’s easy; ain’t no technique to it really. Always appreciative, fasho.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
Favorite is being able to express myself and speak on topics in my own way without anything being persuaded…inspiring and motivating people, that’s my favorite about it…least favorite, not having that super bag yet, haha!
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Don’t give up, always do what feels right and don’t listen to or be persuaded by those who don’t have the success to show for it. Don’t be afraid to start over or revamp! Stay you.
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
Sshit, on a beach telling my daughters they don’t know nothing ’bout this while playing Bizzy Bone “Fried Day.”
As for the immediate, what’s next for 65Waxx?
NNeverland EP just dropped, everybody go get that! But, shit, I got a full length album already done, too; we just plotting the release and all the extras for it now…overall, just growing as a dad and doing it up all the way 200%.
Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
Nah, you good dawg.
Any “parting” words for our readers?
Long Live Lil Half and Free The Homies. 65th Street!
