A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH REESIE WOODS

      

Reesie Woods, a young R&B artist determined to let his spark ignite the music industry. His qualifications are above most, but it’s his spirit that makes his music enjoyable. With a handful of projects and singles under his belt, he has been able to generate an engaged and dedicated audience. Although he’s in the early stages of his career, his knowledge of his craft and his amazing talent are sure to take him much further. I talked to him to learn more about his latest single and what experiences crafted him into a young artist.


You music has a well tuned and mature sound, what are your roots in creating music?

REESIE: First of all thank you! Yes, I believe that my music actually really stems from my actual experiences and growth.When there was I feel like I was (am) growing into myself through these experiences. I feel as if that bleeds in my music, and everything I do creatively. Also my music influences have a big role in it as well. Such as Miguel, Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, Diddy, John Legend, and of course Usher!


What pushed you to pursue a career in music?

REESIE: What pushed me to pursue to do music was (believe or not) Alicia Keys! I watched a video of her performing on the Soul Train awards on youtube, playing the piano, and singing. The way she was doing it, the way she was so captivating. I just knew I had to at least explore the feeling, so I began piano lessons at 13, and long story short it was wraps! Went to college to study music, discovered my love for singing, started being trained classically. Got my degree in Music Business. Now here I am aspiring to my dreams and aspirations! It hella life lessons that could be taught through learning music, and singing music as well. I am grateful for the rocky process. Truly.

R&B has been rising back into mainstream popularity. What’s something new or back in style that you’re happy about?

REESIE: First of all. This make me extremely happy. Simply because soul music has such an impact in my life. I grew up around various amounts of R&B music being played around me. I love the fact R&B is a little bit more alternative meaning that its incorporating a new sound but with the essences of true R&B. Artist such as SZA, Anderson Paak! Also, please do not sleep on this artist that goes by the name of Yebba!! She has this gospel influence to her! She is the real deal! I love artist who can really go there and really tap into the soul aspect of music. Thats my point tho. I love that the soul aspect is coming back into R&B, BECAUSE that is what R&B is.

Has quarantine helped you or hurt you creatively? How so?

REESIE: I would say it has helped me! It has help me tremendously. I had all this extra time to think, to meditate on so many different thoughts, emotions, fears, and really strengthen myself. To grow in confidence, to forgive, to grow from certain fears. Overall to not stunt my growth as becoming the person I want to be. KEYWORD “I” simply because I was so focused on other peoples opinions when my opinions should be the first and last opinion I think of. Quarantine put so many things into perspective for me, which is why my song Midnight II. just really came so fast, and so naturally. Because I was able to confront my mental barriers. YES that’s a thing. haha Speaking for myself. 

What’s the story or motivation behind “Midnight II”? It sounds like the theme to a good date night.

REESIE: The story behind Midnight is about a girl I was in a situation with. It’s about you two wanting to be together, but these cycles keep happening, and getting in the way of the actual talking phase. Meaning we can never get pass our issues, because of these assumptions. So that why I write the hook. “Love me tease me know you think about me, Hate me but you miss me tell me how you really tryna be” So Midnight II. is literally about a phase in a relationship. Thats why the music video describes it so well. Because by the end of the video is a sense of relief between couple because you know it’s love there but shit keeps getting in the way. Thats Why I say “save me from your midnight” meaning I just want to see you lets talk, lets get through this.

What’s your next step in music as far as keeping fans engaged while concerts are still somewhat far in our future?

REESIE: Definitely more videos! I love video foe real real. More covers, and behind the scene footage of my process. More music is coming, and musical features I am crazily hyped about! Also we have more releases soon with our clothing line Protagnia! So be on the lookout and support!

Will “Midnight II” be a part of larger body of work? When can fans expect more from you?

REESIE: Haha. It still really early for me to tell actually. Because I wrote Midnight II. based off a feeling and I just kinda go with my true feelings. Fans can expect more from me this year for sure. I just getting warmed up. I feel as tho I reach the point were I can really express myself musically, and more is coming sooo sooooon.

Click here to listen to “Midnight II” anywhere.

Age of the Beat Stars

Hip Hop has morphed dramatically since its origin in the 70s. Each generation adds its flavor and layer of creativity to the art. As we’ve fully stepped into the new decade, it has become increasingly obvious that producers have come for the crown. Rap has always been about the rhythm and poetry created by the DJs and emcees. But the years have brought a new audience, and a new sound. Melodic, drill, and trap rap are now international. Hip Hop is global and connecting personally with the lyrics isn’t necessary. Countries as vast as Russia, Korea, and Italy have adopted rap music. Where verbal communication falters, the rhythm does all the talking.

Now, simply what’s heard sonically is enough to connect one to a song. The impression of the bass, the emotion and tone of the vocals is key to evoke a response. Entire cultures are infused into Hip Hop, then shared even further through streaming and social media. At the core of these experiences are the producers and engineers. They’re able to create instrumentals so timeless and organic that it doesn’t take a certain listener to appreciate it. Producers search for fresh and enticing sounds to add texture and brand the beat into listeners’ brains. This all comes together in the studio as engineers take the best qualities of the beat and the artist’s vocals and create the hits of today. 

It’s hard to say you haven’t liked a song just from the beat, especially the drop. That energy is hard to ignore. Production in itself has always been a prominent skill in creating music. Now, thanks to social media, young listeners and artists can follow their favorite producers, learn from them, and listen to all of their songs. Producer collectives have launched their recording careers. In this era, the artists are the instruments. Internet Money, the multi-faceted music collective, has earned themselves over twenty weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Stars can be discovered at any stage when it comes to production. A young and driven collective is more than capable of leaving their mark. The collective Neilaworld acquired credits on multiple platinum projects in 2020, including Pop Smoke’s Shoot For The Stars, Aim for the Moon. In this new decade, everyone gets their credit. Anyone can be a star.