Axiom Tha Wyze On the Making Of “Bounce”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "Bounce?"
I am new to the production side of things when it comes to making beats, so my process was like any other. Start with a blank canvas and continue to add sounds and rhythms until it feels right. Once the beat was complete I kept reflecting on how it made me feel, I felt like moving around almost in a trance. So I explored the idea of using the kinetic energy that we as entertainers get from the audience and use it to give a great performance.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for "Bounce?"
Some of the fx I used in the beat are called brams - almost a cinematic horn type sound. I loved how it set the tone of the beat. Some songs take me days or weeks to write especially if the idea isn't fully formed. This song took me about 45 mins to an hour, I was in the zone. I see many people at shows that just kind of stand around waiting for the entertainer to do their job and entertain, this song gets the crowd involved and gets people moving around off the bat.
What impact do you hope this song will have on your audience?
I have songs that are personal and insightful, those songs are more for me to express what's going in my head. This song was designed for the audience. When I hit the stage I want people to be excited to see me, because they know they are going to get a unique Hip Hop experience that they won't get anywhere else. I hope this song gets people in the zone when they are skating or going to the gym, or just trying to get hyped up in general.
Can you tell us more about you as an artist?
I have been making Hip Hop music since 2013 and have been touring since 2016. I love the act of performing, I've done upwards of a thousand shows dedicating time and energy to the live show is crucial in today’s music culture. I have been known to be a Hip Hop purist (which has its pros and cons) by calling out rappers who rap over their vocals or mumble through their shows. My favorite performances have been of artists standing on stage with conviction getting you to feel something. My goal as an artist is to carry on the torch of some of those iconic Emcees and make music that inspires more art.
Can you walk us through your creative process when writing and composing music?
Sometimes I wish I had a formula for making music, where I sit down and make a beat from start to finish then immediately write the lyrics that accompany the track. The truth is the creative process is messy. When producing a song I often sit down for a few hours and play with different sounds until something sticks - I might have an idea in my head or a general direction I would like to go, but even then sometimes the song takes its own shape that I never intended. I love that about art, it's an emotional expression of where you are at that day. Sometimes I can make a beat from start to finish in a day, sometimes I have a melody and it takes me 2 weeks to find the right drums to really make that melody shine.
When writing music I usually have 2 different approaches:
1. I have a concept for a song in mind already and I begin to explore and research the idea using various pieces for inspiration, like comic books, or pop culture references that help illustrate the point. Then I compile all my references into a song then evaluate it and improve on it over time, it could be an hour, a day, or a week before I finish it.
2. The other approach is purely emotionally driven. I have something to get off my chest and need to write it down, this is usually more of a freeform diary approach that eventually turns into rhymes and a complete song.
With either approach I try to evoke a feeling, as a huge fan of Hip Hop I love music that gets me in a mood, whether it's happy, or sad, or angry. Those are all relatable emotions and when I feel a song I get inspired to make art. I hope at the end of the day my art simply inspires more art.
