Interview Series
Part 1.
From Northampton, England, to Lagos, Nigeria, and now to Atlanta, USA. The interview series is back showcasing grassroot talents and their community state. This time reporting live from the birthplace of Trap music, we meet two underground artists from Atlanta, both of them with plans to join the next generation of sound from out the ATL. The following voices have been tape recorded and transcribed into writing for your reading pleasure.
Name: MAYA AYAM
Base: Atlanta
Age: 24
# The Scene { 8:54pm London time, translates to 3:54 noon in Atlanta. Reporting live on facetime, but our faces are off. I suggest we turn on the webcam, but Maya sound’s hesitant, understandably so. A needy request on my part, her smooth southern accent with its raspy tang like Bourbon, should paint all the picture i need. We begin the interview.}
Q: What can the city of Atlanta offer a young artists that no other city in the world has?
[A brief pause]. Atlanta feels kinda like a Pomegranate. You have an idea of what Atlanta might be, looking from the outside in - but then you crack open the pomegranate and there's different seeds and pockets... there's something for everyone here. Atlanta is innovative as hell! - - think about the music that's come out from Atlanta - TLC, Dungeon Family, we got OutKast, Ludacris, Ciara, Migos, Lil baby, Gunna, Future - Atlanta has run Hip-hop consistently since OutKast came out in 92. Its just a fact. Being an underground artist from here, I get to see the side that people don't necessarily see, its where good black-ass! music happens, and I don't mean “black” in a limiting way.
Q: What's been your biggest challenge navigating the music industry?
I'd say two things, but they go hand in hand. First would be consistency. I grew up being resilient, then the pandemic happened. As you progress in this independent grind there are always issues, there is always something f!cking up. You have to learn how to pivot. The people that make it are the ones that are resilient, the ones that keep coming back like roaches, these b!tches won't die [She laughs, Impressed at the thought]. Basically I've been trynna get back on my roach sh!t.
Q: What motivates you inspite of this?
Music might not be my end all, but it's definitely a gateway. I'm tryna buy back land for my family, I'm tryna make sure kids in my hometown have outlets. I want them to be exposed to the opportunities that I didn't get, not until I got to Atlanta. I grew up in rural Georgia, the access out there is different.
Q: Where in rural Georgia?
Americus Georgia. Southwest Georgia by way of Montezuma. Kinda close to Alabama, which is why my accent is so strong.
Q: Why is it important to give back?
...Because If not me then who?
Q: When did you start making music?
I've been writing raps since I was 8. The first time I actually recorded a song in a studio was at age 17. I come from a somewhat musically inclined family.
Q: Why rap?
I wish i could sing, my sisters can sing, it skipped me for some reason [She laughs].
Q: Describe your sound in 3 words?
Raw. Vivid. Witty.
Q: How long did it take you to get confident?
I'll let you know when that happens for me. To be completely transparent, I can have a hundred! takes, and I'd delete them and start over!. I usually have a vision of what i want a song to sound like. It's a whole lot of perfectionism going on [She laughs nervously]. At some point I have to pump the brakes, and give myself grace to grow.
Q: What are your thoughts on the global influence of Trap music?
I'm not a Trap artist myself, but i've been living in the “Trap” since its inception. It really doesn't matters what I think. Trap is global!. I'm not protective over it. But at the same time, nobody else can do it like Atlanta.
Q: Where do you see your music in 5 years?
To be honest with you, I don't really see the commercial success, charting billboards and all that. Just being realistic, everyone is not gonna f!ck with you. I realise I have a niche sound, I'm not for everybody and that's okay. But as far as people I want to work with - - Pharrell, Timberland, Noname, Kenny Mason... I really could go on.
Q: What is your definition of success?
Success for me is being able to have the freedom to work with whoever I want to work with. Commercial success doesn't really mean anything to me, now, don't get me wrong, the money is great! [Laughs]… But I just need enough to do for me and my people.
The end.
A GREASEDELBOW INTERVIEW.
Instagram: @Mayaayammusic
Support and Checkout Maya's latest Track on ~ Spotify ~Youtube ~ Apple Music
Published: 05/03/2023
Written by Dan O. Eboka.
Comments