Introducing The Multi-Talented Artist Curtis Waters
Curtis Waters is an emerging talent that needs to be on your music radar. Born in Nepal, the young talents’ childhood was filled with travel and an array of cultures. At a young age Waters began to take solace in music to escape from the realities of suburban life and his mental health troubles. From poetry and graphic design to producing and making beats, Waters left no creative stone unturned.
As his artistry began to evolve he soon found himself selling his beats to artists on SoundCloud, which in turn furthered his musical influence. Taking inspiration from the likes of Tyler, the Creator, Kanye West, and Odd Future Waters creates music that’s experimental and one of a kind. With the release of his debut album ‘Pity Party’, Curtis Waters is ready to shake the status quo and take the music world by storm.
We were able to chat with the rising producer about his insanely popular track ‘Stunnin”, his brand new album, and so much more.
Your track ‘STUNNIN’ is absolutely epic. How does it feel to see your record doing so well?
It feels like we live in a simulation because I don’t think it makes sense that this random dude who lives in his mum’s house has one of the biggest songs in the world. I’ll look at Billboard and see my name next to Travis Scott or someone and be like this doesn’t even make sense, I can’t even compute it In my brain.
Can you take us through the creative process for’ STUNNIN’?
My friend Declan sent me a beat around a year ago and I liked it but I didn’t like the chords so I re-did the chords and base and rearranged it. I finished most of the song but I couldn’t finish the last verse because I didn’t really care about it anymore. I sent it back to Declan and him and my friend Harm Franklin ended up working on it together and they sent it back — I mixed and matched it and honestly didn’t touch it for a long time. I didn’t plan on releasing it, then months later I released it. It was the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and I saw that everybody was sad so I didn’t want to release any sad music because I didn’t want to make people’s lives worse – Stunnin’ was the only happy song I had so I thought maybe I should try and cheer people up!
Okay let’s bring it back a bit. When did you realize you wanted to pursue music?
It became apparent to me when I was 14 years old. I started producing music and I was on my laptop all day and all-night working. I’d have these weird dreams where I would meet Tyler The Creator and Kanye West and they would be like “follow your dreams” and I was like oh my God, this means I have to follow my dreams now.
You’ve travelled all over the world during your childhood and experienced different cultures and people. Have your travels influenced your music tastes and music sound?
I honestly don’t really think so. I think my music taste has always been because of the internet or whatever blogs or sub-cultures I’m plugged in on, influences it. I’ve never been like ‘I’m from North Carolina, so I’ll only listen to North Carolina music only.’
When you’re creating new tracks, what aspects of your life do you pull inspiration from?
Usually, it’s things like girl issues, being insecure about race, trying to pursue music, being mentally ill and stuff around that. Usually, it’s like whatever I’m struggling with. I use music as a therapeutic thing – it’s like whatever I’d want to tell a therapist and making everybody listen to me. I remember Tyler The Creator’s first album Bastard; it was really crazy but there were so many super honest and vulnerable moments. Even Drake back then, he’s less like that now but listening to Nothing Was The Same made me think it’s cool to be emotionally sensitive and vulnerable and super honest to the point where it might be uncomfortable.
Let’s chat about your fantastic new track ‘Freckles’! What’s the overall theme and message of this record?
The main thing is that it’s an appreciation song. I don’t really make songs with a message or a moral but it’s showing appreciation for someone who is overcoming their struggles and trying to get better, like a keep going type of thing. It’s actually about this girl I met at a mental hospital and a year later we reconnected. We were just talking and she was just telling me about her life and how things were going including the difficult stuff but she was still really hopeful and it made me feel really happy that she’s going at it. I wrote the chorus about her but not everything in the song is about her but she was definitely the main inspiration.
Since producing your first batch of beats to now how have you evolved as an artist? 8: Will you be releasing an EP or album soon?
I think so definitely! I think I’m evolving every day; I’m always making totally random things all the time. My favourite thing is being able to show people how versatile I am. In the Pity Party album, people will be able to see all the stuff I can make but then I’m already excited for the next thing I do after this which is going to be even crazier and unexpected and spread out. I produced all the songs on this album and have a few co-producers on some of the songs.
Will you be releasing an EP or album soon?
Yes, my album Pity Party comes out on 9th October. I’m feeling really good and a bit nervous but it’s a good thing to be nervous because it shows you care. There are so many personal songs on there which I just want to release because people need to hear it. It’s like sending a risky text, it’s fulfilling to send that risky text and you know you’ve got to do it but after it’s like that’s enough!
Make sure to listen to Curtis Water’s fantastic debut album ‘Pity Party’ below or here.
