Rapper, songwriter and producer Wes Denzel gears up for his first official South by Southwest performance on Wednesday at Lefty’s Brick Bar. Previously, Denzel opened up for Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q and was named KUTX’ Artist of the Month. The Daily Texan sat down with the artist to discuss the upcoming performance and the inspiration behind his songs.
The Daily Texan: How did you get your start as a performer and songwriter?
Wes Denzel: Since I was a little kid, I wanted to be an entertainer … Fifth grade, I wrote; sixth grade, I recorded for the first time; and then eighth grade, I built my own home studio and (have) been writing consistently since then.
DT: How do you know which sound elements and ideas will make a good song?
WD: I am always trying to find a good hook, but I do want the song or the sound to be a little different than what’s going on. I know, these days, a lot of the newer artists … are trying to chase whatever sounds popular or just adjust to today’s sound. I think I still have that kind of old-school feeling where other artists used to come along and want to be different or stand out.
DT: With your latest single, “Dream About Me,” can you speak to the inspiration and meaning behind it?
WD: “Dream About Me” is a song about liking someone and hoping they like you back. … It comes off as a love song, but when you listen, it says, “Do you like the sunset runs, all the things we’ve done.” It’s taking you progressively (through) things that might happen, or things that you might say when you know someone, but you don’t really know them. So just … finding someone you might like or think you like, and you want to take them out and (try) to see if they have that interest back.
DT: What does performing at SXSW mean to you?
WD: (The show) is being put on by one of the DJs, DJ Aaron “Fresh” Knight. He’s probably the first person (who) played me or went outside of that and (gave) me opportunities (to meet) people. … When you have that person (who) helps you for the first time, it’s always important. … It means a lot that it’s coming from him.
DT: What do you hope people get from this performance?
WD: Just seeing that I’m a good performer and have good records. … I’ve been working on (the set) for the past one or two weeks. It’s a hip-hop showcase, so (I’m) trying to make it very hip-hop and lean into people’s nostalgia … and just hope they see that performer within me and enjoy the show.
