Compton rapper and Shady Records artist Westside Boogie has a new album close to the finish line, almost ready to hear Eminem’s feedback.
Speaking on Beyond the Label, Boogie discussed his writing process, influences, definition of success, and where things stand with his next project.
Album nearly finished
Asked about the album, Boogie said, “I feel like we’re basically done. I’ve just got to finish the features and then play it for that white man in Michigan named Slim Shady. Get his feedback. He’s probably going to tell me to add something, remove something. He’s probably gonna give me a beat. And yeah, that’s it. Just pop back outside.
Hopefully, this time I come back out, I won’t disappear on my fans for three years. I figure out that content sweet spot we were talking about. And yeah, go on tour. Definitely trying to get back on the road”.
A probing question about the cost of Eminem’s feature sent Boogie laughing: “I think like three mil I paid for the last one. I’m just playing. I don’t know what he’s going to charge. He owns all my music. He can take whatever he wants. He’s rich. He does not want my money. Too rich”.
All in the head
One of the most revealing moments came when Boogie explained that he does not write lyrics down in the usual way. His process happens almost entirely in his head.
“It’s in my brain. No writing. Repetitive in my brain, though, saying it out loud until I memorise it. Melodies on my voice memo. If it’s like a word, I know I want to rhyme with that word. I hurry up and say it in my voice memo. Like, that word is cool. But no, I don’t write nothing”.
He added that he only writes the lyrics down when the label needs them submitted. “I ain’t wrote a verse. I got to write the verse down when it’s time to turn it into the label”, Boogie admits, but it is his staff who have to deal with the task, transcribing recorded bars.
For Boogie, a song usually begins with the feeling of a beat, not with a title or a fixed concept.
“For me, it’s just a feel. I listen to the beat. I try to catch a flow first ’cause I know melodies and flows are important. So I try to find something that moves my spirit, rhythm-wise and flows, and then I fill in the gaps from there”.
Having his own voice
Asked how he created his sound, Boogie pointed to a mix of church, soul, battle rap, and West Coast energy.
“I think with artists, it’s just like you’re products of whatever you listen to, like a combination of that, and then you try to carve out your own unique sound. I grew up in church, which is why I try to sing a lot, even though I’m not the greatest singer. Listened to Lauryn Hill before I listened to rap. Then I grew up on Jay-Z, battle rap, Lil Wayne, and LA ratchet shit. I think I’m just a mix of soulful music and gang banging sound type shit”.
He also named some of his favourite rappers: “It’s Jay, Kendrick, Wayne, Eminem… Lupe, Andre”.
On what makes a rapper strong, Boogie said it is not just technical bars. “I don’t think it’s bars. I think it’s just creativity and having your own voice. ’Cause some of my favourite rappers ain’t necessarily the deepest rappers”.
The definition of success
Among many definitions of success that exist in the hip hop world, the one Boogie provided is probably the most down-to-earth. He was very direct when asked whether he considers himself successful.
“Yeah. I go home to my kid every night. I wake up to my kid every morning. My rent is paid. I’m rich”.
Although he still feels he has more to do as an artist. “Music-wise, no. I still got far I want to go music-wise. I’m super competitive. I obviously want to be the best rapper, but I am at peace with knowing I’m giving my best effort. Wherever God feel like I’m destined to be as far as my rank in hip hop, it is what it is. I’m just going to try my hardest. But the thing that matters to me the most is being surrounded by people I love and care about, seeing them flourish, and going home to my kid”.
What success has never given Boogie is inner peace. Don’t get him wrong, he has money, and he is grateful for being able to feed his family, but money did not bring peace. So, his personal definition of “making it” is much simpler. “Right now I made it, ’cause I survived. I have a job doing what I love doing. My kid is healthy, and I’m surrounded by genuine people I care about”.
Still, this feeling of satisfaction does not deprive Boogie of ambitions. “I still do want to win a Grammy. I still want to perform on a late night show. I want to headline arenas. I want to be the biggest rapper in the world. It ain’t going to make or break me. I’m just going to try my hardest to get there”.
Third instalment
The upcoming album will be Boogie’s third full-length project on Shady Records after Everythings for Sale (2019) and More Black Superheroes (2022). Despite having a solid concept, deeper lyrics, and a more mature soundscape, his latest album did not reach the Billboard 200 chart. Still, fans were not disappointed and are still eager to hear more from one of the most wholesome rappers on the scene.
Watch the full version of the interview with Boogie on channel Shaka Wear: