Introducing Emerging Hip Hop Talent WizTheMc
WizTheMc is an emerging hip hop artist that needs to be on your 2020 radar. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, the rising star moved to Lüneberg, Germany, at the age of two with his mother and brother. In his early teens, Wiz and a few friends created the collective NOHOMES – a music group that lasted for only one summer. Having hit a creative breakthrough while in the group, WizTheMc continued with his journey into music – writing new material and working on his craft. Fast-forward to 2020, and the rising star has released a plethora of music, including his brand new mixtape ‘Growing Teeth’. Splitting his time between Canada and Berlin, WizTheMc is steadily creating his own lane in hip hop that’s ready to take the music world by storm.
We got to chat with WizTheMc about everything from his upbringing, music influences, his favourite track off the new mixtape, and more…
You were born in Cape Town, grew up in Germany, and spend a lot of time in Toronto. Has living in so many different places influenced your musical style?
I would say that the different places helped me get more perspective on life in general and how people move about life on different continents. I would probably lie if I said that it didn’t influence my musical style, but for me, it feels more like what’s in my head will end up in a song, no matter where I am.
When did you know that you wanted to pursue music?
In grade 11, when I was 17 years old. That was after I’ve been prolifically recording my stoned freestyles for two years out of my room in Lüneburg, Germany.
Who were some early influences that helped you develop your sound?
2 Chainz and Tyga were the first rappers who impressed me and, at the same time, made me want to impress everyone else. After freestyling to Tyga type beats for about a year, I discovered artists like Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole, who helped me understand the power of meaningful lyrics. The first song I can recall getting goosebumps to was ‘’Swimming Pools’’ by Kendrick Lamar. It’s just something about the vibe he sets in this song, his introspectiveness, and the way he observes, in this case, a party scenario and what goes into it. I could very much relate to it since, at the time, I didn’t go to parties very much and questioned the motives of all my peers who were out every Friday night.
‘The One’ is a solid opener to your new EP. How did that song come to be?
I pulled up to Hugo’s place, and he pulled out the electric guitar and played the first chords, and I was like that’s it and wrote the song within less than an hour. Sometimes, and I still can’t explain it to myself, I get into the studio with Hugo, and everything seems to be flowing. His musical genius does a lot of magic too.
Do you have a track or lyric on ‘Growing Teeth’’ that you’re most proud of?
‘’My family’s always backing
Shit that I was rapping
So nobody can tell me shit
I really made it happen
From my hometown
Made it over the seas’’
–‘Take Me’
My family’s always been super supportive of me and my creative ventures, and to me, these lyrics showcase and remind me of their support every time I listen to this song.
How important has taking risks been in your music career?
I had to take a plane to Canada just to see that I could actually pursue what I was dreaming about for so long. That trip for sure was a risk for me, but it for sure doesn’t have to be such a huge risk for everybody. For some, it might just be asking that one friend to hang out who is interested in the same stuff that you are. But I always believed and still believe it’s impossible to get something/somewhere worthwhile without taking any risks.
What’s been the craziest part of your music journey so far?
Probably leaving my girlfriend in Canada to go on tour in Germany in December of 2019. It was just the craziest feeling knowing that a major artist from the states WANTS me on Tour with them. My 16-year-old self would’ve flipped the fuck out, but I was just too busy rehearsing and making sure my setlist was tight, to take in what I was actually involved in.
What are you hoping to accomplish in 2020?
For me, accomplishments are not interesting or intriguing cause they are already checked of. I want to explore music, play shows, learn instruments, understand my self- things where I, for sure know they’ll never get accomplished. More money and accolades are cool too.
Make sure to check out WizTheMc latest mixtape ‘Growing Teeth’ below…
