Willie Humbles

Genre: Rap and Hip Hop

Willie Humbles’s MNotez Interview:

MNotez: How long have you been a musician? What age did you begin? What motivated you to become a musician?

Willie Humbles: I started writing songs and poems when I was in the fourth grade. So around 11 years old I had a nice notebook full of rhymes. Motivation basically came from all the music videos I used to watch before school started. Seeing what could come of good music, made me become more serious about making songs as I got older.

MNotez: Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?

Willie Humbles: Musical influences span for various reasons but for the most part my biggest influences come from rappers such as Ludacris, Lil Wayne, and Eminem. I like how each artist brings flow, clever lyrics and emotion into each song. It is how I try to express myself in the music I make.

Willie Humbles: I haven’t been to many concerts, but I have seen Kid Cudi perform at Pantherfest. Without knowing much of the songs I still enjoyed being there seeing how Cudi would get the crowd involved, and continue to give a great performance regardless the song.

MNotez: If you could work with any other musician or band… who would it be? (past or present)

Willie Humbles: I would want to work with Wiz Khalifa. I have been told by many people that I remind them of him. I like all the beats he gets on and our styles are very similar.

MNotez: What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?

Willie Humbles: What I do with my music is express and explain myself into different situations I’ve had or problems I have faced. Other than that I like to make all types of music. Dance, Vibe, Freestyle, and also looking to send a message such as “keeping your head up” like I do with my song “Doing My Thing”. Ultimate goal would be to get paid for what I do.

Willie Humbles: Being a rapper in Milwaukee is probably the best thing to make me different from many I meet. People may not expect me to rap the way I do based on the way I look, or how I present myself. When I start rapping I keep finding myself impressing others, which makes it so much more fun being that no one really expects rap to come from the Milwaukee area.

MNotez: You’re a solo rapper, have you ever been in a group? Do you feel you’re better able to be creative on your own?

Willie Humbles: I was in small group back in high school, “Get It Boys” me and two others would rap over beats just doing whatever would come to mind at the time. Mostly for fun, but started planning on getting serious once we found ourselves on our best work. As the years went on, going solo was more convenient and made it easier for me to get multiple songs done at a time. I feel I am much more creative on my own being that every song is all me.

MNotez: You do a lot of performing at parties, do you rather these smaller performances that are more personal with the audience, or the live shows on a stage?

Willie Humbles: I love to perform. Parties are where I started, but now I am looking to get more shows and have bigger crowds. No matter what kind of audience I have I feel they will get to know me through listening to my songs. I put parts of my life in every song and I feel doing this makes the audience appreciate the music more.

MNotez: You go to the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (UWM), do you get inspiration from college into your music?

Willie Humbles: Yes very much so, college life has really helped my name get bigger with these songs and around campus people know me much better. From time to time I get people singing my lyrics when they see me to get my attention. In my song “See Me When I’m Out” I express what a typical weekend day is for me being a college student. I relate to how much work goes into the week, and letting go over the weekend. I love it when I get texts from friends saying they are partying to my music.

MNotez: You’re very open to collaboration with other artists and genre’s, is there a genre you’d like to collaborate with but haven’t had a chance to yet? What’s your favorite aspect of collaboration?

Willie Humbles: I’m always down to collaborate. I have been wanting to get on more guitar beats, acoustic or electric it doesn’t matter. I love it when people just want to freestyle and jam with the guitar. I respect all those who are able to play the guitar, such a difficult instrument in my opinion.

Willie Humbles: Out of my songs I feel my favorite right now would be “Doing My Thing”. I express what I felt after getting denied in a showcase in Madison. The judges told me I wasn’t marketable and that they couldn’t see my music going international. I took that to heart. I feel they just weren’t ready for a new type of artist such as myself. The song’s message is to keep your head up regardless of the situation or what people may say. I’m always going to be doing my thing.

MNotez: How do you believe the internet helps the music industry or you as a musician?

Willie Humbles: The internet helps my music be seen all around. I have entered in this contest to collaborate with T-Pain on a song called “Motivated” and knowing that others will see my songs helps me with my exposure. If they like what they hear they will check out my other songs also. The internet makes spreading the word so much easier for such a busy artist like me.

MNotez: What kind of hobbies do you have outside of creating your music? What do you like to do in your free time?

Willie Humbles: Outside of making music, I love to work out, relax with family, and play Call of Duty. Anytime you see me in the house I will be eating and relaxing on the couch.

MNotez: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message to your fans?

Willie Humbles: Message to the fans… expect much more from ya boy WILLIE HUMBLES!!