Canadian Urban Legend Wes ‘MAESTRO’ Williams – Still Bringing the Music to Us After All These Years

MAESTRO has advanced past his “Permit Your Backbone Slide” times, but people today nonetheless associate him with his initially hit 15 several years ago. Does that trouble him? No way! For MAESTRO it is as a result of his accomplishments as an artist that he has developed and appears fondly back again on his early decades with satisfaction.

To date no 1 has exceeded the levels of accomplishments that MAESTRO has accomplished. To date, 7 songs awards, 7 albums, 11 JUNO nominations, Gold and Platinum albums, Gold singles and a combination of other awards in film/T.V and private achievements. All of this, moreover a film and television vocation? No surprise his newest album is called Urban Landmark 1989-2005 – it is apparent he has built his mark, now let us see where by he goes from listed here!

1 of my really first interviews on radio was with MAESTRO, back when I was operating at York College radio, he was a distinctive visitor on a exhibit identified as, ” The Cutting Edge”. I realized again then right after our temporary hour alongside one another on the demonstrate, that this is a person hell of a passionate male! He is passionate about what he does, whom he speaks to, what he consists of himself with and most of all passionate about Songs. It is the exact same passion I saw and felt when we (Liesa Norman and I) sat down with him the day right before his CD release occasion. He actually is “conductin’ thangs” now more than ever, his daily life a full blown “Symphony in Outcome” – just goes to show you he is “Crafted to Last”

HAVIN’ Terms WITH WES

You feel to have a adore affair with Canadian present-day and rock artists? This is not the typical strategy to hip hop is it?

WES- Janet Jackson sampled Joni Mitchell, that is a good deal farther aside than me, a Canadian artists, sampling an additional Canadian artist. See?

Certainly, but you are the only a person that has been acknowledged for accomplishing it.

WES- No, Swollen Members did it much too, but not a ton of individuals know they did a keep track of with Sarah MacLachlan that was Hot. This was off their final album…..I don’t know WHY people fellas did not make it the solitary, it was so sizzling!

To date you have labored “with” HAYWIRE, GUESS WHO and now Gowan!

WES- It is just a thing I like to do. Acquire Canadian rock information and just revamp them. I have these albums, I like them- I accumulate them.

So, within just the music that you are listening to, you hear a further tune?

Orlena, Hip Hop up n’comer Subliminal, Liesa WES- yeah, yeah. Like when I heard “Stick to Your Vision” (track off his previous album, that sampled The Guess Who’s – These Eyes)- I was like….Whooooo! That was a pleasant reflective tune to discuss about what you been through and inspirational at the very same time.

So that was a favorite?

WES- Hell, yeah! (chuckles)

Lyrically do you locate that the words come to start with or does the audio?

WES- There is no specific system. A strategy could occur initially and then the songs following. You know I in no way test to assimilate – I consider to innovate.

So your most recent track, Prison Brain with Larry Gowan- was that a little something that you read inside the track, or was that anything you conceptualized on your personal?

(l-r) Orlena, Actor-Richard Leacock, Liesa WES- Nah. It was extra like the original variation was talking about remaining a criminal and having a legal thoughts. I experienced the acquire on it of the justice procedure getting more felony. But, at the similar time, we as a local community not staying in a place exactly where we are far more followers, fairly than being the leaders that we really should be. In life you have to be a leader and Cease Earning EXCUSES for whatsoever! With the music I just place my own tiny spin on it. What I appreciate is that Randy Bachman and Larry Gowan, both like what I did with the music.

Ended up you in the studio with Larry Gowan?

WES- Nah. I was in his living place when I performed him the observe when it was performed and I saw the hair stand up on his arms. Then we went downstairs to view his video clip from Prison Head and then my new a person, that he is in. The online video is complete rotation now – it is just BANANAS!

Do you obtain the violence is precise to what the media portrays? Or do you seriously truly feel that there is a surge of violence inside of minorities?

The Showstoppers(ctre) Maestro

and Kardinal Offishall WES- Yeah, Yeah (as he sighs). It is a little bit of equally. A bit of sensationalism however occurs though. But, to me it is embarrassing for all folks that we carry on like that with each other. We do not have to be like that. We have dropped our skill to “talk” to 1 a further. My question is how did the guns get listed here in the initial area? Who is bringing them into the region? That is the past line in my track Prison Brain. I occur from a very good area and I hope that folks gravitate towards what it is that I am doing.

The album, which arrived out August 23, has 5 new hits?

WES- The album does not seriously have five NEW hits, but 5 earlier unreleased tracks. These tracks have been out in advance of, but just on radio and far more as singles that were being unavailable for obtain.

Perfectly, your finest hits album, is likely cover the span of your job – are you prepared to do any of all those moves you applied to spin for “Enable your Spine Slide”.

R&B Sweetie Melanie DurrantWES- Oh yeah. I am likely to have a comprehensive-blown display! Choreography, the is effective..it is going to be hot to dying!

You are continue to sizzling to demise immediately after all these years. You continue to have the exact same fever and flavour that you experienced when you were being more youthful. It is superior to see! What are you listening to in your automobile ideal now? Do you have any audio influences?

WES- Ideal now I am listening to myself (outbreak of laughter from us all). I have my present CD in and I am working towards that about and over once more.

Laughter apart, you have a track record to repairs, if you will not occur proper you know people today are likely to be composing about it! Looking at and ready for you to slide..or just all off the stage!

What a night time!WES- That is great…look at…just preserve watching!

We will!

FYI- The following day MAESTRO arrived with it and blew the roof off the MOD CLUB! The area was packed, individuals were bumpin’ to his hits and when he enable us have the final monitor…it was all above. Hey! When MAESTRO left the phase – all people else remaining.