Roy Wood$ is an unassuming teenager from Brampton, Ontario who can most prominently be seen hanging around Weldon Park, the surprising new centre of Toronto hip-hop located on College Street that recently featured a turnt-up NXNE Showcase that included Sha Hustle and TRIPSIXX.
What’s not so unassuming is the type of music that he’s making that’s got plenty of people in downtown Toronto buzzing. An equally skilled singer and rapper, Roy Wood$ makes powerful music that reflects the often whirlwind lifestyle the city seems to be offering up to this new class of young talent. Talking to Roy however, I feel this sense of calm and positive vibe that speaks volumes about just how real his music is compared to the fleeting sense of normality offered by the fast-life in the 2014 rendition of little italy.
For those who don’t know Roy Wood$, tell us a bit about yourself.
I never wanted to be a singer. I always wanted to be a Football player, I played wide receiver/slot, safety and was actually pretty good. I’m originally from Brampton, Ontario but I just recently moved to Toronto with my Father and music has literally been my life. I love it, I love the people in Toronto, I love the music in Toronto, it’s just a place where you can just enjoy the fact that you’re doing something you love in one of the most beautiful cities in the world with positive vibes.
You’re 18 right? How long have you been rapping/Singing for?
Yes I am, I started taking singing serious when I was in grade 7 and I learned how to rap in grade 10. I taught myself how to do both because I had no one to learn from. I always wanted to just get better because I thought it was cool to sing and rap, I never thought it would turn into this at first, especially after hearing the first song I made at my friends house a few years back, I never thought that this is what I would be doing after my whole life being dedicated to football.
Let’s talk about the music. Your single “Just Like that” is produced by STRETCH. How did that come about?
Well I had a friend that introduced me to my current Managers, through them I met STRETCH (Brendan McDonald). At the time he was in the process of making a beat, we spoke for a bit until I realized that he had slyly transitioned into creating the instrumental for “Just Like That” right in front of my eyes. It was at that point where I knew that I could never go back to the music I used to make. “Just Like That” to me is a very aggressive song but still so soft with the type of melodies I’m doing on the hook.
How far do you see yourself going in the future?
I don’t know how I see my future with music to be honest, I just know that I never want to stop. Music is what I live for, I want to die knowing that I spent my whole life just doing something with music. I’ve always told myself that I want to be the best at what I love to do, and that’s my goal. All I want to do is make good music and as long as I do there are no limits.
At the moment you’re working on your debut project. What can your fans expect from it?
My fans can expect a sound they probably didn’t think they’d hear from me, because I didn’t think I’d hear this from me at all when I started with music. This project is very raw, deep and almost depressing. I’m taking things to a completely different level because I really want people to hear my story and understand what I really speak about other than just my experiences and the things I’ve been through, the concept of my story is something I haven’t done before.
Tell us a bit about the downtown Toronto scene that you live in everyday.
I’ve always wanted to be here, I love this city, everything in Toronto is alive and so real. Since I’ve been with the DNTFCKRND/NeWAge guys I’ve seen life at it’s best and worst. I’ve learnt a lot from being here, living here is different from living in Brampton. No one is usually outside like people are here, there isn’t as much drama as there is here. The one thing I love the most about Toronto is the night time, regardless if we’re inside or outside, every experience I’ve been through lately has been amazing in the night time, party after party, song after song, person after person. There is always something to do or someone to chill with, I just love it here.
What inspires you to make music?
Hearing the results of what I heard in my mind is truly the reason of why I keep making music. I love creating different sounds and trying different ways to express my voice or my life or anything I talk about. I usually make music when I feel something, if I don’t feel a beat or the moment then I won’t force myself to do anything. That’s only happened once since I’ve started making music though, I have this tendency to just keep writing and writing and writing non-stop when I’m alone because so many things are running through my head.
What are some of your influences or should I say idols that you grew up listening to that inspired you to be great?
I listened to a lot of 90′s R&B and rap back in my middle school days, but when high school came the only artists I listened to were Drake, The Weeknd, PARTYNEXTDOOR & Lyfe Harris. I still listen to other artists of course but not on the same level as the ones I listed. I can relate my life more to those artists more than any other because of the life that I’ve lived.
How do you balance between being in school and in the studio?
Well I had 3 classes during the semester because I had a spare for my last period, so whenever I was in the studio I’d leave school at lunch around 12:15 and take the transit to Toronto. It wasn’t boring since I love to travel.
What are some of your goals for 2014 and 2015?
This year I want to grow with my music and get better, learn more than I taught myself so I can apply it in my music for next year. I want to do shows and go on your and meet even more people and music that people can enjoy and not get tired of. Next year I want to be where I deserve after all my work, sacrifice and dedication to music wherever that may be. But my main goal to just be the best at what I do with the best artists in the world and make music people can’t imagine.
From the looks of it you’re about to make lot of girls around the world cry. Is that the plan?
No, I don’t mean to make any girls cry, I’m honestly just saying how I feel or what’s on my mind at that moment in time. I can’t wait to have my own performance so I can really see how girls feel about my music. Cause I’m no Chris Brown or Trey Songz so I always wonder how girls are going to be at a Roy Wood$ Concert.
Show some love and check out Roy Wood$ new single “Just Like That” below:
