Interview with music Artist “Smokee Whine”
Q: Please introduce yourself to the readers and what made you want to become a musician?
I’m Smokee Whine and it really doesn’t feel like I wanted to become a musician, it feels more like the profession of being a musician chose me. Ever since I heard music, I loved music.
I can remember my mom just moved into an apartment. We didn’t have a TV yet, but I had a radio and I stayed home blasting that radio. I would learn so many songs so fast. I paid attention to everything in music. That’s when I knew I was a musician, I just needed the instruments.
Q: Who has been your most influential teacher or mentor?
Right now I listen to Abraham Hicks and Bob Procter every day in some capacity.
Q: What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?
My favorites are Rap and R&B, I also listen to Pop, Country, Blues, and even Rock music at times. I wouldn’t say that I dislike any because it’s all art and I love audio art.
Q: What would you say is your greatest weakness as an artist?
I loved the studio so much but I realize that I have to get out there and meet people in clubs or venues. I have to promote the music in person with shows and I am now overcoming that weakness of not going to enough places.
Q: In terms of the overall composition, what is your favorite song and why?
I love all my songs but I would say pieces that I create where I don’t write them down at first. I have a song called “Take You Home” where I didn’t write it, I just made the music, felt the vibe and the words just came out live.
Songs that I create to like this one have more feelings than anything to me. Sometimes when I write it’s too much thinking involved. “Take You Home” comes from my soul. It comes from me just expressing myself and telling a beautiful woman how I feel. Nothing fancy, just can I take you home tonight?
Q: What kind of music artist would you classify yourself as?
A very versatile artist that can rap, sing and produce music. I make films too, I paint and create things all the time. Someone even went as far as to call me a renaissance man. Maybe that sums it up.
Q: Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?
It felt like I couldn’t do anything else but if I had to go with one person that inspired me first, I would say Michael Jackson. He was the first artist I saw that I thought was magical on stage.
Q: Would you agree that it is very important to learn, study and understand old music and music history?
Yes, I study music all the time. I go back and look for artists from as far back as the 1920s to today. I like to understand everything that’s ever been done and try to build on that. I never try to sound like anyone else.
I try to bring what I have to the table that’s unique. That’s why when some hear my music, you can hear inspiration from nearly every artist that’s ever done it. I do things like take guitars and horns from the ’70s and put them on top of
southern rap drums only to sing in the style of myself that may have derived from, say, a Curtis Mayfield.
Q: Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
The biggest venues I’ve performed at were Warehouse Live in Houston, The Ruston Louisiana Civic Center, and the Ayva Center in Houston.
Q: What’s next for you?
A Music video and a feature film that features only my music.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your Music video?
My video “Take You Home” was just a matter of getting a visual down-packed. I went to New York and shot some footage and when I was in Houston shooting at a club, I ended up getting Michael Rainey Jr. in the video which plays Tyreek on Power, which is huge for me because I’m a big fan of the show Power and 50 Cent. I actually met 50 and gave him one of my books but he’s so busy, I don’t think he read it yet. I’ll likely end up working with them because of the law of attraction. Abraham Hicks helps me with that. LOL!
Q: Do you have any advice for young music makers like yourself?
I would say never give up and keep growing with your craft. I think that if you aim high in life like trying to reach the moon. You could really make it because now you’re already in the stars and the moon is no longer that far away.
Q: social media profiles:
www.Tiktok.com/@Smokeewhine
www.Instagram.com/Smokeewhine
www.Twitter.com/SmokeeWhine
