10 Questions with ... GAWVI

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

The 30 year-old South Florida native released his second full-length project "PANORAMA" last week via Reach Records. The album's lead radio single "Fight For Me" featuring label mate Lecrae became his fourth single to hit Top 10 status at Christian Hot AC/CHR.

1. You've had quite an extensive and winding journey of a music career. Could you take us through that, leading up to present day?

I started producing at a young age. My first introduction to working on and releasing music was with a hip-hop group from Florida named Rhema Soul. They trusted my ear and gave me the opportunity to create their sound. A while later, I met Lecrae and he brought me out to Memphis for a summer to work on some stuff. That's where I met Trip Lee and some of the other 116 Clique guys. I built an awesome relationship with them and over time, I continued to produce for each of them until they hired me as their staff producer at Reach Records. After a few years, I kept wanting to push the envelope musically, but it wasn't necessarily fitting the sound of any of the Reach Records artist. Finally, one day, I spoke to Reach co-owner Ben Washer about my music and we spoke about becoming an artist myself. Shortly after, I signed to Reach Records and the rest is history. That's the short version!

I think more than anything we're thankful now for the journey we had because we feel we made a better record because of the vulnerability we displayed while we were writing the songs and recording them.

2. For a season, you were doing some work in LA with Pharrell Williams, Rodney Jerkins and others. What was your most profound takeaway with working out there at that time with that caliber of producers?

When I was in LA, it was such a great starting point to say the least. You get to see the industry from a different perspective. LA is a tough city because it seemed as though everyone was doing music. I'm super grateful for the opportunity that Pharell and Rodney afforded me to work under them and soak it all up. It definitely set me up to win and get to where I am now.

3. Who is the GAWVI who started his music career a decade ago different from the GAWVI now?

GAWVI who started as a young producer was hungry and wanting to create something new; something people hadn't created yet. GAWVI now is still hungry—still wants to shift the culture, but this GAWVI is more focused, has an amazing team around him and is more willing to trust his gut!

4. You're currently the only EDM artist on hip-hop-filled Reach Records roster. What are the pros and cons of being the lone wolf stylistically and how did that deal come about in the first place?

I started my career as an EDM/Pop DJ of sorts, but as I'm growing in my artistry, I'm finding my voice and my sound. I love pop music, but I also love hip-hop. I've gone away from the EDM sound and have started leaning more toward the urban, pop sound. This feels right to me. As an artist, that's what I love. I can create what I want and when I want to. A lot of people are still trying to figure me out as an artist and my hope is that people will grow with me in this creative space.

5. Your second full-length album for Reach, PANORAMA, dropped last week. What did you try to accomplish when putting the project together and who did you write this collection of songs for?

I wanted to create an album where I was letting my listeners get a closer and more intimate look into my life. Sometimes as artists, we have a tendency to want to project the "good" of everything. This time around, I wanted to share the whole picture. Let people in to see the good, the bad and the ugly. I wrote these songs for myself, but my intentions were that my honesty and truths would inspire the listener to know that it's okay to not be okay sometimes; and that there is still hope.

6. Who were you listening to when writing this project? Any influences?

To be honest, I listen to a lot of everything. There's rarely a time that I am only listening to one specific sound or artist. Naturally, I am a producer, so that is just part of how I work. Music overall inspires me.

7. While fully acknowledging that every song is your "baby," what are three of the hands-down highlights for you on PANORAMA?

My top 3 songs on Panorama are probably "Get Em" which features my boys, Aklesso, Rhomar Jessy and TROSSTHEGIANT. That song is for made for the live shows: mosh pits and energy.

"Trapchata" is a song I wrote for my wife, and "With You" is a very personal song that expresses some emotions I was dealing with last year. It was a tough time for me while I was on tour. It was a new experience and being away from home and I didn't realize how much of a toll it could take on my marriage. Then my childhood best friend passed away while I was on tour and I couldn't go to his funeral, so it was just a tough season for me.

8. You're known to dig deep to find artists to collaborate with you on your songs. Can you share any background on some of the people you called on to contribute to this album?

On this album, I really wanted the process to be as organic as possible, so I brought in some of my guys into it. A little over a year ago, I was performing in Virginia and there were a group of guys who opened up my show. Their energy on stage was something I hadn't seen in awhile. I was so impressed with how they were able to engage the crowd, so as soon as they got off stage I went up and introduced myself. We connected and stayed in touch. I brought them out for a show in Fort Lauderdale and they were amazing. I just love their energy and the chemistry we have together. Bringing them into the studio was no different. Each of them have their own unique vibe. Aklesso is from Miami so he brings that to the table. Rhomar Jessy is the new wave of upcoming artists. His vibe is energetic and fun and definitely relevant to the culture. TROSSTHEGIANT brings the hip-hop sound with a new school feel and Enzo and Killawatts both contributed to production on this project. These are my brothers and that's what I wanted to come out in our time in the studio. I trusted their direction, writing and production. It gave me a sense of freedom during the process. I loved it.

9. When you're creating new music, how much do you consider radio airplay in the process? Is it hard to not write songs specifically for airplay? Have you found radio to be an important component to what you're doing for your music career?

Early on in my first projects, so much of my focus was to make music to fit into this "box" of what I thought people in the industry were expecting of me. When I got my first song on the radio, it was so exciting. What artist doesn't want to hear their music on the radio?

As I continue to grow in my craft, I've learned so much about myself as a young man, as an artist and I have found that dealing with real issues has a way of shifting your focus and perspective on what's really important. Radio is important to my career; but honestly, music is equally as important to me. Working on PANORAMA exposed some areas of my life that were weaknesses in some people's eyes. I wanted to be honest about my struggles and insecurities and still bring hope to the people listening to the music who could relate to my story. "Fight For Me" was definitely one of those songs. When I made the song, I knew it was a big record. I knew it was an honest record. When it landed on radio, I realized that I can make honest music that would resonate on radio and at my shows.

10. When you're off-duty doing artist things, how else are you spending your time?

Most, if not all of my time, is spent with my family. Being on the road so much makes me appreciate the time I spend with them when I am home. My brain is always on, thinking about what's next, but I try to put my phone aside and really spend quality time. It's the best.