What's cooler than cool?
Wakil.
Like a milkshake in a snowstorm, the 20 year-old artist is creating a universal chill with his groundbreaking music and futuristic sound.
In a day and age where musical variety is an anomaly, Wakil's originality and creativity is refreshing.
Raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Wakil (born Mansa Wakili) took an interest in music at an early age. "I started playing keys at the age of three," he says. "Then it just grew from there to other instruments." As a teenager, he began writing and recording songs, citing musical giants like Michael Jackson, Prince, Kanye West and Jay-Z as influences. His ultimate influence?
"Andre 3000," he says. "He does his own thing and is not afraid to be himself. Creatively, he's way ahead of everyone else which is something I always strive for."
By 19, Wakil's music was so innovative, it caught the attention of platinum producer Brian Kennedy, who is also a Kansas City native. Kennedy--who is quietly one of today's most sought after producers--was impressed by Wakil's creative energy and ambition. He signed Wakil to his label, Prolifik Records, on the spot, making Wakil his first artist.
"Wakil is an amazing talent," Kennedy says. "His versatility makes him a real threat and his creativity takes him to a whole other level. He's going to do big things."
And he's off to a great start.
His single "I'm So Cool" is generating heat with fans worldwide. Though he identifies himself as a rapper, the song features Wakil expressing his "cool" as a singer. "I actually did the song as a demo for someone else," he confesses. "But BK [Brian Kennedy] heard it and thought I should keep it for myself. I put it on my Myspace page, and it just took off from there. It has gotten a really good response."
"I'm So Cool" has even spawned it's own dance--The Cool Walk---as fans around the globe began recording themselves "Cool Walkin" to the song and posting the footage on YouTube. Similar to the C-Walk, "The Cool Walk" is essentially rapid footwork combined with individual flair, and is a phenomenon that caught even Wakil off-guard.
"It's crazy because people just started doing it," he says. "My friends were telling me to check out YouTube because people had started a dance to my song. I was shocked to see how many people there were, people from different countries."
Like "The Cool Walk", Wakil hopes the message in "I'm So Cool" is equally as infectious. "It's about being proud of who you are, what you are and where you come from, no matter what anyone else thinks," he says. "That's what being cool is---not being afraid to be yourself."
But don't expect Wakil's relaxed personality to get in the way of delivering a fiery performance--his passion and energy on stage is unparalleled, and for many, inspirational.
"When I get on stage, I try to do my best to make sure the people feel my music," he says. "I give everything I have on stage, and when I hear positive feedback, it's one of the best feelings in the world, especially when it's from people in KC because support from my city means a lot to me."
While his music and performance are in a class all its own, the young artist often draws comparisons to iconic rapper Kanye West with his style and delivery, a comparison Wakil does not mind.
"Kanye is a genius, and is completely original," he says. "He has changed the game and achieved a lot of the things I hope to. Though I'm my own individual, being compared to Kanye is a great honor."
In addition to his own musical success, Wakil is also contributing to the success of others, drawing attention as a producer and songwriter. Recently, he has worked with rapper Meech on "Over the Top" and "Camera Phone," two songs off his upcoming untitled album. And since his signing in early 2008, he has not only collaborated with other major labels and artists, but has worked alongside industry heavyweights like Polow, Nelly and Jazze Pha.
Still, despite all the recent accomplishments, Wakil manages to stay as cool as a cucumber.
"There's so much I want to do, so much I'm going to do," he says. "I'm just getting started."
Almost as great as his desire for success is his passion to represent his roots and his hometown--Kansas City. "I'm part Nigerian, and I'm from KCMO," he stresses. "Musically, people think there's nothing here. We don't get a lot of respect because they say we don't have an identity. But that's not true."
"There are a lot of great people and great things here," he continues. "And it's our time. KC, stand up."
With witty lyrics and a world sound, Wakil is an iceberg in a musical melting pot. Even better, in a time where originality in music is rare, his immeasurable comfort level with who he is and where he comes from is refreshing.
And of course, so cool.
Written By: Kmay
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