modrNation: Where are you originally from?

Dre Wave$: I’m from Southeast DC.

modrNation: How did growing up over there influence your music?

Dre Wave$: It has inspired me because of the environment, I rap about the things that go on. I even got a song, unreleased, coming soon called Silhouettes on the Southside and another song called Outside that just talks about being brought up in that area. Also another thing is the people too, my family, friends, etc, that all lived the same experience growing up in our area, and it definitely shapes my music.

modrNation: You’re a singer, songwriter and producer?

Dre Wave$: I only rap and I know how to engineer, out of necessity, but I wouldn't consider myself an engineer.

modrNation: What’s your biggest inspiration?

Dre Wave$: I actually recently opened up for him, Saba. Another one is Mick Jenkins, we actually got to work on some music together. Freddie Gibbs too, specifically his presence on the track inspires me a lot.

modrNation: How have those inspirations shaped your rapping?

Dre Wave$: I think storytelling mostly, I think all of those artists have the ability to really tell a story, like Prom King by Saba.

modrNation: How do you usually start a song, beat, writing, etc?

Dre Wave$: I hear the beat first before I write, I don’t usually do acapellas. I hear the beat, freestyle a melody, just really trying to catch a vibe. But I do have songs that I freestyle the entire song.

modrNation: What's the biggest song you freestyled?

Dre Wave$: Probably Drinkin’ and Smokin’.

modrNation: What’s your best way to find inspiration?

Dre Wave$: I try not to seek it out, because I feel like if I really want this I just have to go, I can’t wait around for inspiration. I feel like living, walking outside and doing things is the best inspiration honestly.

modrNation: Your last two tracks, MIA, and Weight, is there anything specific that inspired them?

Dre Wave$: Really just everything that's going on in my career right now, like in the last 2 years. For WEIGHT, like all of the weight on my shoulders and pressure I have on me right now. For MIA, it was really my last relationship that inspired that.

modrNation: With so many artists coming up now, what would you say is the importance of finding your own identity and individuality as an artist and a person?

Dre Wave$: If you find your own identity, nobody can bring to the table what you can. If you sound like everybody else, people can get that everywhere. So I try to steer clear and make my own sound.

modrNation: What is your individuality?

Dre Wave$: I would definitely say beat selection and my voice/delivery. I feel like that's something that sets me apart. Also just my personal experiences, no one else can live your life so in that sense everyone is unique.

modrNation: Where would you like to be 5 years from now?

Dre Wave$: I see myself touring, still making music. I definitely want to hit a million monthly listeners on Spotify. I’m not worried either, I know it’s there, it just takes work. I just want to be able to make a living off of music.

modrNation: What’s your next move?

Dre Wave$: I got a single called Control coming, also I got an album coming called Worth the Weight and it's coming in August.

A Conversation With Dre Wave$

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