WesWill: From Summer, With Love
I BELIEVE YOU REAP THE ENERGY — you put into the world. I cover individuals I personally believe in and see on a complementary wavelength. It makes writing easier, I’m more animated in my interviews, and makes it more satisfying to do their art justice. There is no greater example in my young writing career than Cleveland musician WesWill. Born Wesley Williams, the Cleveland native is not only as talented as hip-hop artists go, but he’s also a thorough and thoughtful person who conveys that in his music.
Prior to listening to WesWill’s music, he messaged me expressing support for my work. He coyly shared his music with me and I was blown away. His latest project, Here For A Good Time, is a perfect representation of his artistry. Released in July, the album still warrants major consideration for your music rotation.
With precise melodic flows patterned after Cleveland legends Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, WesWill switches up on a syllable akin to major inspiration and Chicago champion Twista. After showcasing how versatile his bars can range, WesWill’s trademark is his ability to rip a chorus like Nate Dogg without missing a beat. Williams’ gospel choir hooks can find their way into any rapper’s speed dial, but are best suited to his own tracks with producer Tavarus Jordan’s smooth soul- and R&B-style production.
HFAGT is succinct and crisp, and feels both fresh and timeless. WesWill weaves juxtaposing rhyme schemes and floating refrains on all nine tracks. Every once in a while, he’ll incorporate mini-skit voiceovers or insert a line that’ll make you verbally laugh (“You got ass for days / you got titties for weeks”), taking listeners through a menagerie of emotions.
During my first playthrough of HFAGT, I texted Williams that he was “too good to be this nice to me,” and nothing about him changed upon meeting him. He was humble, collected, gracious, and soft-spoken. We walked circles around Downtown Burbank (”Y’all don’t jaywalk in California, huh”), talking music and media: rejected pitches from publications, industry people who promise big and leave you dry, and bonding over our shared taste in music. He thanked every restaurant staff member and followed some local cookie bakers on Instagram that he’ll most likely never see again.
I was unreasonably excited to get him to try boba for the first time. With no prior knowledge, he sipped what he thought were blueberries without hesitation. After christening that experience, we planted ourselves for our conversation.
Like many artists, Williams’ introduction to music began early on. While most moms play music in the house or enroll their children in music classes, Williams’ mom had contingencies in place. She believed it was crucial for Williams to have a creative outlet in case he ever needed to rely on his talent to make money, an astute and possibly presentient instruction. He enjoyed his time in choir, but rapping is what really hooked him into being an artist.
“My mom is a speech pathologist and would have my siblings and I constantly work on our diction and enunciation,” Williams said in a 2021 interview with Cleveland.com. “Honestly, the transition to being a rap artist was seamless, thanks to her in part.”
Once rap became Williams’ calling card, he chased the high of performing in front of people in the high school lunchroom. Other teenage rappers joined him and formed a group, which achieved some “local celebrity” status around school.
“You couldn’t tell me we weren’t going to be famous,” Williams said. “But then life hits and people change. I realize I’m better off doing my own thing as opposed to acquiescing to other personalities and people with different ideologies.”
But, as with many young rap groups, members grow up and apart. It was no different for Williams when he took a break to get his degree in marketing from Baldwin Wallace University.
When the graduation cap returned to earth, Williams hit the ground running. Since 2018, he’s consistently released projects every summer to evoke that nostalgic freedom that comes with sun and sand.
Similar to the hip-hop he listened to growing up, he “often equate[s] feel good music to the summertime,” which describes much of his favorite music. Learning from the best Ohio musicians and West Coast rappers like Dom Kennedy (plus a little bit of that marketing savvy), Williams’ feel-good music combines timeless groove and undeniable rapping capability.
“I want you to play this while you ride with your girl or your guy,” he said of the album. “I want people to create memories to my music during the summertime.”
Williams is still having fun with HFAGT, as he continues to release music videos for the album. The video for “Playa Ride (Interlude)” is an homage to ’90s R&B groups such as Jodeci and Boyz II Men. Releasing a video for an interlude isn’t the usual choice, but Williams’ self-produced video is too amusing to ignore.
As the summer winds down and the nights gradually grow colder, there’s no better way to let the sunny season ride out. WesWill’s music remains ever-present, but his influence has yet to hit most markets. While his consistency and musicality will no doubt receive its flowers one day, it’s worth giving every moment you can spare.
