Exclusive Interview with Wadena Pyatt
SXSW Pop: What moment or experience made you realize you wanted to pursue music as a career?
Wadena: I was about seven years old and so excited to attend a gospel concert at my church. Where all the great singers came back home to sing. I knew then that it was my destiny to pursue a career in music and entertainment.
Wadena: I was about seven years old and so excited to attend a gospel concert at my church. Where all the great singers came back home to sing. I knew then that it was my destiny to pursue a career in music and entertainment.
SXSW Pop: If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Wadena: If I could collaborate with any artist, it would be Ed Sheeran. He is such a great artist and songwriter with a unique style, just like me. Collaborating with Ed Sheeran would be a dream come true for sure!
Wadena: If I could collaborate with any artist, it would be Ed Sheeran. He is such a great artist and songwriter with a unique style, just like me. Collaborating with Ed Sheeran would be a dream come true for sure!
SXSW Pop: How do you stay true to your artistic vision while navigating the pressures of the industry?
Wadena: Well, I always pray before I do anything and when I'm in trouble or need answers, I go to the rock like the late Whitney Houston sang on the Preacher's Wife soundtrack. I would wait on the Lord to direct me while navigating through the pressures of the music industry. As I stay true to my artistic vision.
You see, one of the biggest problems in the music industry is that dark-skinned R&B/Pop female singers like me are faced with rejection even in this generation today, with rejection pertaining to getting the right financial and marketing support. I feel like if a dark skin female R&B/Pop singer is not shaped like a stripper or video vixen with dressing or doing certain types of ratchet performances with lyric content to support what's visually being exposed, then this makes it very hard to receive the right marketing and support. However, I will remain in prayer because nothing is impossible for God.
Wadena: Well, I always pray before I do anything and when I'm in trouble or need answers, I go to the rock like the late Whitney Houston sang on the Preacher's Wife soundtrack. I would wait on the Lord to direct me while navigating through the pressures of the music industry. As I stay true to my artistic vision.
You see, one of the biggest problems in the music industry is that dark-skinned R&B/Pop female singers like me are faced with rejection even in this generation today, with rejection pertaining to getting the right financial and marketing support. I feel like if a dark skin female R&B/Pop singer is not shaped like a stripper or video vixen with dressing or doing certain types of ratchet performances with lyric content to support what's visually being exposed, then this makes it very hard to receive the right marketing and support. However, I will remain in prayer because nothing is impossible for God.
SXSW Pop: What’s the most unconventional or unexpected source of inspiration you’ve drawn from for a song?
Wadena: It would be to stand. No matter what comes your way. I used to play the Donnie McClurkin song Stand all the time, especially when faced with trials and tribulations.
Wadena: It would be to stand. No matter what comes your way. I used to play the Donnie McClurkin song Stand all the time, especially when faced with trials and tribulations.
SXSW Pop: Can you walk us through the process of how a song typically comes to life for you, from idea to final track?
Wadena: Well, I would come up with the melody and then start to work on the arrangement for the song. Thereafter, I'll either use my home studio equipment to lay down vocals or tracks with my sister to see what works or doesn't and or do so at a professional studio. I'll then give myself time to listen to the arrangement. Once my sister and I are feeling the vibe, this is when I'll lay the vocals down right for mixing and mastering.
Wadena: Well, I would come up with the melody and then start to work on the arrangement for the song. Thereafter, I'll either use my home studio equipment to lay down vocals or tracks with my sister to see what works or doesn't and or do so at a professional studio. I'll then give myself time to listen to the arrangement. Once my sister and I are feeling the vibe, this is when I'll lay the vocals down right for mixing and mastering.
SXSW Pop: What’s the most challenging part of being an artist today compared to a few years ago?
Wadena: The most challenging part of being an artist today compared to a few years ago, I would say, is keeping up with the new trends while still staying true to your artistic vision.
Wadena: The most challenging part of being an artist today compared to a few years ago, I would say, is keeping up with the new trends while still staying true to your artistic vision.
SXSW Pop: If your music could speak to one social issue or cause, what would it be and why?
Wadena:If my music could speak to one social issue or cause, it would be to end racism and discrimination across the board. Just let people love, live and be as one. At the end of the day, our blood is the same color, so if someone loves another from a different culture, just let them be in love and happy. Love is love.
Wadena:If my music could speak to one social issue or cause, it would be to end racism and discrimination across the board. Just let people love, live and be as one. At the end of the day, our blood is the same color, so if someone loves another from a different culture, just let them be in love and happy. Love is love.
SXSW Pop: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about yourself through your music?
Wadena: To appreciate my unique and great sound. God would have never blessed me with such a unique sound if it didn't mean something.
Wadena: To appreciate my unique and great sound. God would have never blessed me with such a unique sound if it didn't mean something.
SXSW Pop: Have you ever had a song that you struggled to write, but it turned out to be one of your favorites?
Wadena: Yes, one of my favorite songs that I originally struggled to write was Twisted. During this time, I was so mad at my ex-boyfriend and struggled to finish this particular song. One day, while in the recording studio, my engineer said, "Wadena, just go on the mic and freestyle. Share your anger towards the ex while singing whatever lyric content that comes to your mind." I did it, and Twisted turned out to be a really great song.
Wadena: Yes, one of my favorite songs that I originally struggled to write was Twisted. During this time, I was so mad at my ex-boyfriend and struggled to finish this particular song. One day, while in the recording studio, my engineer said, "Wadena, just go on the mic and freestyle. Share your anger towards the ex while singing whatever lyric content that comes to your mind." I did it, and Twisted turned out to be a really great song.
SXSW Pop: How do you deal with creative burnout or moments when the inspiration just isn’t flowing?
Wadena: Well, I pray and stand on my faith. Remember, the Bible says if you ask, then you shall receive. For sure, Jesus will pick you up. After I pray about a creative burnout, God surely restores me quickly and I immediately start to come up with great material.
Wadena: Well, I pray and stand on my faith. Remember, the Bible says if you ask, then you shall receive. For sure, Jesus will pick you up. After I pray about a creative burnout, God surely restores me quickly and I immediately start to come up with great material.
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