Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Willie the kid, the younger sibling of Wu-Tang Clan affiliate, La the Darkman, has been surrounded by music his entire life. Discovering his love for rapping while still in his pre-teens, Willie traded in what could’ve been a life dedicated to the streets, which plagued much of his community, for a far more logical and intelligent choice: Hip-Hop.

HHN Live Dot Com recently spoke to Willie, via cell phone, while he was holed up in the studio putting the finishing touches on his soon-to-be released debut opus, Absolute Greatest [Aphilliates Music Group/Asylum Records]…


Todd Davis: When did music first become a passion for you?

Willie the Kid: Music, Hip-Hop in particular, has always been a major part of my upbringing. Even down to my family structure. My father was a deejay. He did parties, cookouts, weddings, and stuff like that around my way. Made tapes for niggas, always had a loud stereo system in his car. So, since I was a baby, Hip-Hop was always there. My older brother, La, eventually pursued music himself, and linked with the Wu-Tang Clan, who were the epitome of this rap shit back then around my way. My brother put an album out, toured the nation, (and was) featured with some of the best in the business. He would come home with stories about the road, new music, flyers, t-shirts, everything. So, I pretty much gained the love of the music from my father and knowledge of the industry from my brother. And from both, I realized that this is something I wanted to do with my life. It’s like being raised in a dojo, you gonna know something about Kung-Fu. You gonna know how to box, even if it’s by default.

TD: So, was it your brother specifically, who gave you the confidence to pursue Hip-Hop professionally?

WTK: Believe it or not, I have always wanted to pursue music on a professional level -- Since I was a kid. For a while I didn't even know you got paid to do this, I thought the rappers were just cats from around the way who already had money. But, seriously, it has always been my vision to be a musician. It’s just growing up in Gun Rule [Grand Rapids] the outlets to take this thing seriously are limited. Ain’t no label offices there, ain’t no A&R’s coming through looking for talent. When I was a kid, you would have to go to Detroit to see the major acts. My brother was one of the first people to bring real Hip-Hop acts through Grand Rapids. His career path is what let me know we can do this shit for real. It was from him that I became serious as this thing became a reality. It’s cool to watch niggas on TV or hear ‘em on a CD, but when you a kid riding in the truck with Method Man, or seeing your brother on TV in the crowd at The Source Awards, you begin to feel like you’re no longer just a fan. You start to feel like you can be, will be, and that you are a part of it.

TD: Aside from, of course, your brother, La, and I assume Wu-Tang, too, who else’s music were you a fan of coming up?

WTK: Rakim, LL (Cool J), (definitely) Wu, A Tribe Called Quest, Biggie, Nas, Jay-Z, N.W.A., Gang Starr, Outkast, Geto Boys -- See the best thing about growing up in the Midwest is that it’s a melting pot for music. You have influences from all over, whether it’s the West Coast funk induced sound, the East Coast boom-boom-bap, break-beat sound, or the rhythmic twang and bounce of the South. Being receptive to all that has always made artists from the Midwest that more progressive. (For example,) Michael Jackson, Al Green, Kanye West, Common, Willie the kid -- It’s an advantage.

TD: How did you even wind up linking with DJ Don Cannon, and ultimately aligning yourself with the Atlanta, Georgia, based Aphilliates Crew?

WTK: I've been with (DJ) Drama, Cannon and (DJ) Sense before the Aphilliates even began. I was there before the beginning. I helped create the brand. Me and Cannon was making music, circulating, and campaigning throughout Atlanta. Meanwhile, Drama and Sense were making noise in the clubs and with the mix-tapes. Cannon linked with them on some deejay alliance shit, and he brought me with him. Me and Dram made a connection through the “hustle.” We respected what each other was doing, so the plan began there for me to become the flagship artist. When the Aphilliates began, I was already written into the frame work. If you go back to the earlier Aphilliates’ mix-tapes, I have always been here. And now, we're at the point where we are signing deals and releasing music, so you’re just seeing us executing the original plans that have been in place for a long time.

TD: What exactly was it then that those guys saw in you that made them want to make you their flagship artist?

WTK: Three simple words: one, quality, two, street, (and) three, music.

TD: Has your highly anticipated solo debut been titled yet?

WTK: Yeah, it’s called The Crown Prince. I named it years ago, but more recently the music I've been creating is starting to outgrow the title. It began as a self-titled LP, but the concepts, directions, emotions, word usage, production, man, everything has become too hard to contain under The Crown Prince. So, I'm considering changing it. The artists' plight, bear with me.
[At press time, the new album title had been revealed: Absolute Greatest]

TD: Who all did you actually work with on the record?

WTK: I am, in fact, the creative musical process! Depends on the record, how it came about, ya know? And, my team definitely has an input on what we create, but at the end of the day I’m a musician so I’m all alone in my creative space to compose what I please. On that album, we got production from Don Cannon, Detroit Red, Bryan-Michael Cox, Focus from Aftermath, Scott Storch, my man Fitzlef, Terrace Martin, The Runners -- Shit is sounding real good, man.

TD: Are there any particular highlights that you’d like to take this time to point out?

WTK: Yeah, we got appearances from Mario, Trey Songz, (and) Common. A few others I wanna leave as a surprise. But, I'm family first, you know, so I definitely got La on there, (and) Dram makes an appearance. I'm all about showcasing my own movement first, ya know? The people are buying a Willie the kid album to hear Willie the kid, so I’ma make sure they get a good look at what me and my family is doing. I like the features, too, but sometimes they can become too much and overwhelm a project. So, I'm making sure all the features are strategically placed on the album in the name of quality music, not just on there for the sake of the album credits, Feel me? But, the album is like a motion picture, man. It’s action-packed! However, we got enough drama, comedy, and a few love scenes on there to make it all complete.

TD: Lyrically, what motivates you when you write your rhymes?

WTK: I'm inspired by my hometown, Gun Rule. It’s a real place, for both positive and negative reasons. It’s a battery for me. I'm inspired by my upbringing and where I'm tryna go. I'm inspired by my family. My people, they are a huge inspiration for reasons beyond the music. And, most importantly, good production, man -- When the beat is right, the words just come together effortlessly!

TD: How do you plan on sticking around for years to come in this crazy rap game?

WTK: I can say this, as a fan of the music myself, I would have to say the level of quality, commitment, and carefulness that Willie the kid puts into his music is unparallel. I don't think a lot of rappers are as deliberate and tactful. Not because they’re bad guys or anything, its just that Willie the kid makes an extra effort all the time to uphold the artistic side of this music thing. The artistry is important. I believe that’s what will sustain me. (It) will be my commitment to quality. I ain’t come here to hit a lick. I'm tryna add on, not just tryna take away. Also, I stay mindful about the power of the music, for both my career and the fans. Simply put, I probably take this shit more serious than your average rapper.

TD: Well said. Do have any other future aspirations, either within or outside of this business?

WTK: Yeah, actually I would like to go back to school and pursue a Juris Doctorate Degree. More so, for credibility reasons to begin cultivating and improving the public school system back home. Maybe even get involved in local politics up there, too. But, that's waaaaaaay down the line from now. Right now, with promoting my debut album, working on my new mix-tape, working on La album, La new Gangsta Grillz project, being on the road, there's not a lot of room outside of music, ‘cause even with the clothing line we starting, the movies I'm writing, and the couple investment companies I've been working with, it all comes back to the music. So, you know...

TD: Are you disappointed in Hip-Hop as a whole right now?

WTK: Absolutely (not), Hip-Hop music is moving in favor of artists like myself. It’s beginning to put an extra emphasis on talent and skill. There are a lot of aspiring artists in the industry, but those who are truly successful are the ones who putting an extra effort forward to create quality music -- True artists, man! I also love the diversity in Hip-Hop right (now). The more popular sound is becoming influenced by all regions and all different types of genres. It’s a good thing. Not to mention the monetary compensation right now. The opportunities to make a tremendous amount of money have never been so readily available. Being able to brand yourself through endorsements, movies, clothing lines, drinks, automobiles, I mean, 100 million dollar all inclusive deals and shit, all from the music. I don't think it’s never been this sweet.

TD: Does your music truly represent who you are as a person?

WTK: As my body of work expands, I hope there wouldn't be anything about me that you couldn't get from my music. GOD willing, I should (be) able to entertain, educate, and make a living through this music thing. And, along the way make a personal connection with the people. Where people who never even met me before, know me and love me for who I am and what I do, via my music.

TD: What has been your biggest Hip-Hop moment thus far?

WTK: Man, I've been blessed to have so many in such a small amount of time, but I would have to say the biggest thus far is signing these deals, man. Right now, we have three major active situations, (which is) a true highlight for my entire movement. We got Dram signed as an artist on Atlantic through Grand Hustle, whereas he's still working with T.I. in the studio and on the road. We got a joint label venture with Asylum for Aphilliates Music Group, whereas I'm the debut artist, and it’s still in connection with Atlantic Records and the entire Warner building. We also signed another label deal for Embassy Entertainment with SRC/Universal, whereas my brother, La, will be releasing his new album. And, that's crazy because he's working with Steve Rifkind who originally signed the Wu Tang Clan back in the early ‘90’s, so La and Steve have a longstanding relationship. Along with our Radio One Gangsta Grillz radio show, our Shade 45 Streetz is Watching radio show on Sirius, endorsement deals with LRG and Pepsi. I would have to say we're off to a good start. It’s a beautiful thing.

TD: Projecting, what’s next for Willie the kid?

WTK: 2015, I hope to be in Dubai with my family, buying a vacation home, sending video clips to my brother to get his opinion, or back home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, writing a check for a
technology upgrade for all the public schools in the city -- Something like that…

TD: Well, that sounds like a ways off, but what about the immediate future?

WTK: Oh, yeah, album coming (soon), a classic in the making. We got La album coming (on the heels of my album), too. As well as DJ Drama Gangsta Grillz 2: The Album, coming for Christmas. It’s gonna be an action packed year for us, and for the entire music community.

TD: One thing I noticed, too, is that you’ve been doing a whole lot of shows lately…

WTK: Actually, I've been on the road since December 2007, at least 40 of the 50 United States, both coasts, the whole South. Of course, my home, the Midwest, overseas, the UK, London, Portsmouth, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Vienna: Austria, Milan: Italy, Frankfurt, Munich: Germany, Oslo, Stavanger: Norway, Stockholm: Sweden, Tokyo, Misawa, Japan. So, you know...

TD: Wow! So, what’s that “live” experience really been like?

WTK: You can expect to find a new appreciation for my music, my movement -- Energy, energy and more energy. A lil Rose’ (wine), some Henny for my niggas, some Patrón for the ladies, (and) a good time.

TD: Any parting words, my friend?

WTK: Only one: P*E*A*C*E!