It’s a known fact that the UK music scene is ever-growing, and the latest to make his name known is rising artist C-Way with his explosive debut mixtape “The Epiphany”. Delving into genre-bending productions filled with R&B sensibilities and ferocious drill beats, the young artist skilfully commands his way through with trap-tinged vocals and daring lyrical content. Throughout the project, the artist adventurously explores topics such as art and emotions, through metaphorical lyricism and compelling melodies.

“I like to tap into different genres because music is music,” the artist candidly revealed. “Just because I like rapping on certain beats doesn’t mean I won’t sing on another, whatever I do on a song really gravitates towards the beat as I get a natural feeling on what to make out of it once I hear it.”

The self-taught studio engineer knew at a young age that music was for him, and soon C-Way set up his own home studio and began learning and developing his sound within his bedroom. With the artist focuses on being involved creatively at every step, we caught up we C-Way talking about his creative process, finding his sound and how he almost gave up on music.

Check out the interview below…

Hey C-Way! How’s this past year been for you? Has it affected you creatively in any way?
I know the past year has been a difficult time for everyone, including myself; but If it wasn’t for the lockdown/quarantine, I most likely wouldn’t have got back into music. I was so caught up in everything else, that I was gonna let my passion die out. Also, I don’t really like attention so I thought that me going into music would just make me uncomfortable all the time… good thing I didn’t because creatively, I’m starting to find my sound.

What’s your earliest memory of music and how did you know this is what you wanted to do?
Definitely through my grandma; I was raised by her my whole life and she would always have music playing through the house, whether she’s cooking, cleaning or just relaxing. I know all the songs she plays off by heart because she’s been listening to the same playlist for years, so subconsciously it’s always been in me.I knew I was passionate and wanted to do music from the age of 12/13, but I didn’t have the confidence or anyone to really support my dreams at that age, as my parents weren’t around and my grandma was working in a dead-end job so I left it alone. I also noticed that for the years that I wasn’t doing music, my mind wasn’t in the best place and I wasn’t happy because I knew that I wasn’t really living my purpose but I didn’t know where to start. Now at 23, I realised that if you aren’t following your life’s passion then life will be really depressing because you ain’t doing exactly what God put you here to do.

You’re a self-taught studio engineer which is incredible! What made you pick up and learn this skill?
Yes, that’s correct. Well I set up a small bedroom studio early 2019 as I was getting into music again – from 14 but shortly after I gave it up because I just didn’t wanna put myself out there into the world. Fast forward to April 2020 and that’s when I really said fuck it and to just follow my dreams because that’s what’s gonna make me happy at the end of the day. So I bought everything again and set up a proper bedroom studio so I don’t have to rely on anyone. Engineering yourself is the best thing because only you know how you really want to sound, engineers are lazy when you’re not signed by a label or if you’re an unknown artist and I can make music anywhere in the world with me knowing that skill. Also its really fun getting to know your voice and engineering it, to me it’s like playing a gaming console. I also engineer my bro UniTee whose an artist and my friends for practice. I’m still learning though! I don’t have years on years of experience but each session I have, I’m learning something new each time so that’s the key.

You’ve dropped your debut mixtape which is a huge deal for any artist! Talk us through the production process for the mixtape! Why the name “The Epiphany”?
As I was thinking of a name for the tape, I had an epiphany right there about where I am now with this music thing now to when I made my first song at sixteen. If I’m being honest, these songs on the tape were made 2019/2020, I just had them in the vault because they were getting old and I have new music I want to drop. Even my mentality with certain songs going forward is different. At the time, I did the best I could, with what I could do with. I didn’t know any producers and I sought out a guy called ‘Wizdom’ and we made some collaborative beats together in April 2020 when I started back up. One of our collaborations is on the tape called “Grass Ain’t Greener” and another is called “Lil Different’ which is probably gonna be my next single. I was mainly using YouTube beats for this tape because of the whole lockdown/quarantine thing, it was just easier to just make music at home, so the production wasn’t really on me creatively. I call this a mixtape because to me an album is a more thought-through process with a meaning, with meaningful songs, working closely with the producers, in a homely studio environment.

Did you face any challenges when creating the project?
I wouldn’t say I faced any challenges with the project, it was pretty straightforward, I had a plan and I executed it.

Your sound taps into R&B, trap and even drill at some points, how would you describe your sound?
You see with me, I like to tap into different genres because music is music. Just because I like rapping on certain beats doesn’t mean I won’t sing on another, whatever I do on a song really gravitates towards the beat as I get a natural feeling on what to make out of it once I hear it. If I’m being honest I’m still trying to figure out my sound, because I just go with the beat, I don’t even know myself right now. What I do know is that I love melodies, it adds so much flavour to the track. I want people to hear the growth in my sound because I know everyone’s trying to be perfect but sometimes being a perfectionist can be detrimental). Keep releasing your art because at the end of the day, music is subjective.

Who would you say are your musical inspirations?
My top creative inspirations are Chris Brown and Kayne West.

Now your mixtape is out, what are you most excited for? What can we expect from you next?
I’m just happy that people are appreciating the music because I won’t front and act like I didn’t put in a lot of effort behind the scenes to get to this point. I have a lot up my sleeve just trust me! I’m cooking up at the moment but expect two EP’s and two music videos before the year ends, one R&B for the ladies and one an outer this world experience.