From small beginnings...

9 www.JaeaMagazine.com

aea

J

“ F R O M S M A L L B E G I N N I N G S C O M E S G R E A T T H I N G S ”

.

WOLF J The makings of a

musical

BEAST

This Season

wear your

BAD HABITS…

an in depth look into the Bad Habits FASHION LINE

Jaea‟s 5Naughty or

Nice SEX

Tips straight from the

EDITORS

Winter 2009 www.JaeaMagazine.com

organization, the plans you

www.JaeaMagazine.com


EDITORS IN CHIEF JASMINE CUMMINGS & RHEA STODDART

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTORS

CAMERON SWITZER, DISCOMBOBULATED TRICKS,

RANAY LEWIS, CARLA PIRES, ANTHONY THOMPSON

JAEA MAGAZINE

10 Afton ave

Hamilton, Ontario L8M 2B2

mailto:[email protected]


Wolf, Grizzly bears and Panda OH MY! Welcome to the world of Toronto’s upcoming musical sensation, Wolf J McFarlane. The release of his new mixtape, Grizzly Bears Panda, stimulates each one of the listener’s five senses. Wolf uses his music to paint images that illustrate his journey through his adventures of everything and his upside down days. He pairs his music with

visual stimulations that create a new world to explore. By Jasmine Cummings. I was first introduced to Wolf‟s work through a mutual friend. I had the opportunity to listen to

some of his older and newer tracks and as I listened I felt as if I was taken to a new place. The

musical production, coupled with his lyrics and flow provided such a unique sound that I felt

compelled to learn more about Wolf J McFarlane. The multi-faceted artist has his hands not only

in rapping but he also serenades the ladies with his soulful voice and creates a visual

playground with his graphic design skills. As a result of conflicting schedules and locations, him

in Toronto and I in Ottawa, Wolf J McFarlane and I had no choice but to conduct a phone

interview. We plan and agree to commence the interview at 8pm. I dial the number he provided

me with and as it rings I contemplate whether or not I should ask for “Wolf, Wolf J or Wolf J

McFarlane.” A voice answers the other line and I quickly decide to go with asking for “Wolf.”


Can I speak to Wolf Please? This is him

This is Jasmine from Jaea Magazine I know...I‟ve been expecting your call (laughs) Ok cool...let’s get started...so how old are you? 23 Who did you grow up listening to? Would you say they inspire the music you create? My brothers made music so I grow up listening to them...I also listened to Wu tang, Goodie Mob. I don‟t know (laughs) the list is kind of endless. I listen to everybody and everything. I even bought my first rock C.D. at a young age. Cool (laughs)...If you had to define your music in one word what would you say? I always get asked that question but I can never describe it. I guess I can describe it as...ummm...therapy. I like to refer to every song as a canvas that I paint with my words. Therapy...I like that (laughs) Do you remember the moment you knew you wanted to make music?

2008, after my cousin died. If it wasn‟t for him I wouldn‟t be doing music. Everywhere we went together he would be like sing for the girls and kind of put me on the spot. I didn‟t always take music seriously and at his funeral people came up to me afterwards, telling me I should start taking music seriously because that is what he would want. I‟ve done the whole factory job thing and the day I quit was the day I started, I turned to the manager and said “I quit!”. Then I decided to start my own graphic design company. In high school my teachers would always tell me I was the type of person to be my own boss so it only makes sense that I would be doing music. Do you also sing or do you just focus on rapping? I sing and rap. Singing was something I always kept private until one day at church camp. No one knew I could sing and I was in the kiddie cabin and at the end of the year the camp counsellors would make everyone sing. So I remember I closed my eyes and sang the song “young companion”. I sang the song acapella with the runs and everything and when I opened my eyes everyone looked so shocked, it was silent then they started yelling encore! Encore! (laughs) That’s cool. So what’s your ethnic background? Does your culture influence your music? Everybody in my family was born in Jamaica but I was born in Canada. Being of Jamaican descent you are raised with a set of morals and you are immersed in a rich culture. For example on one of my songs “ Fresh with a little stubble” I go back and forth between English and patois. I try to avoid doing reggae but I am influenced by my culture. Is Wolf your stage name? Yes it is. What inspired the name Wolf?


I initially got the name in elementary school. Different groups of kids, who had no affiliation with one another would refer to me as wolf. The reason for that was because I use to run track and one day I was competing in the 100 metre dash and before the “GO” and I just sped off. The kids watching on the sidelines said all they remember is hearing something growl and fly by so they referred to me as wolf. Another reason I kept the name Wolf was because when I was younger and attended freestyle battles with my cousin the other MCs would ask my cousin why he brought along this little puppy to the cypher and when I battled and won they referred to me as a wolf. I‟m also seen as a wolf in sheeps clothing because I sing and rap. Explain the title of your new mixtape Upside Down Day I worked on my album with producer Shane Tone and we both felt like I went through a lot following the completion of the album and we decided it makes no sense to go further without venting so we decided to do a mixtape. People tend to say Shane and I are really, really weird. Though what him and I may consider a normal day is considered as “different” to others, so when these people listen to our music in a sense we are turning their world upside down. I noticed the majority of your tracks are produced by Shane Tone what was it about his production that drew you to work with him on the majority of your songs? When I first met Shane he couldn‟t make a beat, he was just learning. I was just coming out of a R &B/hip hop group (Brothers from another Mother) and starting out as a solo artist. I like taking risks and at that time we were both learning. He was learning to perfect his craft and I was learning to operate outside of a group. So we took the risk and learned from one another with each song. Do you write your own music? I write all my music What’s your wildest memory from your performing experiences? When I hit the stage it‟s like I black out (laughs) I never remember what happens when I get off the stage so we have to tape every performance. I watch the tapes and I become a fan (laughs).

I notice you have an amazing stage presence. What goes through your mind before you hit the stage? Nothing. Nothing at all. I allow my mind to go blank so that when I do hit the stage the audience gets to experience me flaws and all and I am able to put 110% of my emotion and feeling into each song.

Any groupie stories? (laughs) When I was on tour with Brothers From Another Mother we performed at Battle of the Bands and in the middle of me spitting a verse I seen a dude crowd surfing and in my head I was like „whoa..so cool‟. I also remember performing and having girls through their panties on stage.


Where do you see yourself in terms of your musical career in 5 years? Doing something that makes me happy. I want to have my hands in music and graphic design. What is one thing about you that your fans would be surprised to know? I‟m shy (laughs) One question for the ladies...Are you single? Yes I am One last question...what is your favourite online magazine? Jaea Magazine (Laughs)

From small beginnings...

Documents

Transcript of From small beginnings...