“I want people to go like: ‘This bitch is out here pushing her dreams, and so can I.’ Wowashwow is about connecting, feeling the vibe, and having a good time.”
With the release of her new record, I’m a Hashole, Wowashwow ties together many influences in life. Her childhood singing gospel in churches, teen years obsessed with grunge and emo, and adulthood in Philly’s underground hip-hop scene can all be heard on I’m a Hashole.
Wowashwow sparks joy in fans by making them feel beautiful, empowered, and accomplished. “If there’s anything I can give my fans, it would be happiness.”
Wowashwow’s love for music ties in with her love for others. Her diverse sound palette is influenced by the people closest to her, each contributing a piece to her multi-genre style.
Her mother and grandmother have always supported her journey, seeing her talent after she won a talent show at age five. Her childhood was immersed in soul and gospel, singing Diana Ross and Patti LaBelle as she toured churches near Philadelphia with her family.
At one point as a teen, her brother gave her a gospel CD as a surprise. He told her, “Whatever you do, don’t open this in front of mom.” To her surprise, inside was Nirvana’s Bleach. “I was like… mind blown. I couldn’t listen to anything else. I would listen to the CD on repeat until it scratched up.” The wider world of punk, grunge, and emo deeply inspired her, motivating her to become an artist. Wowashwow was impressed by the energy artists can give crowds, inspiring her to do the same.
While at college, Wowashwow attended a Joey Bada$$ concert and became exposed to the world of hip-hop. “I was like holy shit, this is amazing. I wanna do this now.”
She developed her sound by going to underground freestyle battles, inspired by other rappers’ command and energy. By practicing and appearing in the underground of Philly, she developed a reputation and became what she is today.
After moving to Los Angeles, Wowashwow wrote I’m a Hashole, released on November 26, 2021.
Even though everything is cumulative for Wowashwow, she holds value in joy as a vehicle for inspiration.
“As much as 75 percent of the lyrics would just pop in my head as I was freestyling.” Wowashwow freestyled the lyrics of “Pu$$I Power” while in the middle of making tacos for the band.
Her inspiration is deeply driven by memory. “I think of the times in Palm Springs with all my friends. Like, we’re six feet apart, shaking it in Town Square. Those beautiful memories are what fuel me. I want to absorb all this energy in making music.”
“Bernice” recalls stories passed from her grandmother to her mother. “It’s a true story about my grandmother in the fields working so hard. My mom had to come in with hot water to help uncurl my grandmother’s hands because they would get so cold. They pushed me to live my dream and keep pushing.”
Wowashwow released the music video for “Pu$$I Power” on December 31 and is preparing to bring the whole album to video. She is also currently active as a cannabis influencer, present in activist circles pursuing national legalization.
Most of all, Wowashwow is excited to perform live in 2022. Every part of I’m a Hashole was written to be performed live. “You would have no idea that I could run back and forth like Mick Jagger out there with ten-inch platforms, complete with a seven-piece band behind me.”
