New year, still wavy: Get to know lyricist Wavy Banx
Currently an Atlanta resident, Wavy Banx is a Greensboro, North Carolina native. After graduating college, many of his classmates were set on what they wanted to do with their lives, but that wasn’t the case for Banx. And with many of his childhood friends having turned to drugs or the streets, Banx began to use music as an outlet for his frustrations. Fast forward to 2021 when he released his debut album Just Wavy. He followed up with a second album Still Wavy just a year later, and he continues to release singles and EPs. Get to know more about Wavy Banx, his music, and where he draws inspiration.
Let’s start at the beginning. Can you give us some details about yourself and your background?
I have been in love with music ever since I was a child. I remember going through all of my dad’s mix CDs, watching music videos on BET and MTV — anyway if I could get my ears to the music, I was on it. I used to play snare drum too; I was the kid that would freestyle in the neighborhood and in the locker room, but I never saw music as something I would pursue full time until after college graduation. I completed what some would call “The American Dream” and still felt empty inside. The only thing that kept me full was making music, and it was in that moment I knew this was my calling.
Tell us more about your music and what you are currently focused on.
My music depends on my mood. I grew up listening to a lot of different styles of hip-hop and because of that, I’ve been influenced by various sounds. Although I display a lot of versatility in my music, I am a lyricist at heart. I am currently focused on making music that people can relate to with an added element of fun.
How has the industry changed (or stayed the same) since you first started?
I first started pursuing music as a career in 2018. Although there are still a lot of things that have remained the same in the industry, COVID changed the way music is presented. Things are a lot more content driven, and fans want a variety of content from their favorite artists now, not just songs.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Most of my inspiration comes from personal experiences and things that I surround myself with. My people always told me, “You are who you hang around,” so I often look for inspiration in those close to me.
Has it been a relatively smooth road? If not, what were some of the challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being an independent artist is a continuous uphill battle — with not having a label budget, access to resources, etc. I have hit some bumps in the road, but I like to look at them as lessons learned that help prepare me for the next opportunity. I was always told that anything worth having doesn’t come easy, and I apply that same mentality to music and embrace the grind.
Is there anyone, from the past or present, you wish you could work with?
This one is a no-brainer for me. If I had to say one person, it would be Lil Wayne. I grew up on his mixtapes. I feel like he took punchlines to a completely different level. I would also love to work with Juicy J. From the outside looking in, he’s been the same consistent artist for 20+ years and I’m a huge fan of authenticity.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I’m a big “no regrets” type of guy. If I had to narrow it down to one thing, I would say that I would focus on small wins and building step-by-step. My younger self came into music going for a Hail Mary when I could have gotten a few yards with each play.
You can find Wavy Banx on Instagram @wavybanx and watch his music videos on YouTube and You42. Be sure to follow his Channel on You42 for the latest releases and live performances.