Adrian Waltuo
Adrian Davis Jr I’m a Hip Hop artist from Southeast San Diego California going by the stage name Adrian Waltuo or also known as A.D. Music is my escape from this cold world, it eases the pain, and helps me get through hard times. It makes me smile, when I’m down and out, I start writing or just put on a beat and freestyle. I drift into my own world. I just get in my own zone when I’m focused on my music. I don’t do it as a hobby, or because everyone else is doing it, or because I want to be like some of the stereotypical rappers. I do it because it’s my passion. I do it because it’s my outlet. If I didn’t have music I’d probably be dead or in jail. Music for me is very therapeutic,. As I got older, I started to understand the power of music. I realized that its a universal language and always has been. I truly believe that music is so powerful, that it can convince nations to change their outlook on life and to put their weapons down. To strive for a better change. I know that God has given me a big responsibility and when I understood that, I knew that it’s way bigger than rap, it’s deeper than that. Some of the things that drive me are that I can change peoples perspective on life. I love being able to relate to people through my music, I’m writing for change. I’m trying to open peoples eyes so they can see the matrix were living in. Truth is I refuse to dumb it down for a dollar. I’m going to keep it real even if it kills me. You might ask me why, well if I suppress this knowledge or information. I’m no better than the ones in control keeping the truth from us. When people approach me after I perform and tell me how real my music is, that’s what keeps me going. That’s one of the main things that drives me because it lets me know that someone is acknowledging my music and they’re listening. So I know I’m always speaking to that person when I put a song out I just want to be heard. When I leave I’m cool because with music I’m Immortal. I’m leaving something for you to vibe to, music to relate to no matter your situation or how your feeling.”
Have you always been interested in music? What is your story and how did you start making music?
Since I was a kid I always loved music. I started getting into music at the age of 12. I was too shy to rap around my peers. At age 17, I started writing. I wrote a couple songs about my experiences in life and in his community. I loved the fact that I could express all my emotions, and my thoughts on paper to make a song. That’s when I became real serious about music, and started to pursue rapping as a career, I started writing in March of 2005. By June of 2005 when I graduated high school I had a whole rhyme book completed. I didn’t know I had so much to let off my chest. I truly put my blood, sweat and tears in my music, just uncut and raw. I ended up finishing my first album in 2008 entitled “Ain’t Gonna Change” after that I wrote a couple songs here and there and performed a couple times but I was to attached to the street life and not taking my music serious. So my music didn’t become a priority and a career to me until 2013 when I started to perform more and work on my second Album entitled “Somethin That You Really Need” that I finished in 2014. I have to keep it real with my music, because if I don’t I’m not keeping it real with myself. Also music has made me become smarter, opening my mind to always search for more knowledge.
What are you working on now? Any future releases we can look forward to?
As of now I’ve been working on my Third Album since 2020 entitled “The Time Is Now”. I’ve Also been working on me and my brother’s clothing line with the help of our wives. Afr-I-Can Clothing LLC that launched in 2020 afr-i-can-clothing.com. So that has been interesting and exciting for us all. I hope to release my third album sometime in the year of 2021.
What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry?
My goals for my music are to be the best I can, and keep striving. I know that I can become better than the year before to master my craft. That’s what I’m working towards. Also expanding my creativity with music, either if its learning an instrument or writing to instrumentals. I want to become a better composer, singer, and performer. I want my music to be acknowledged and remembered after I’m gone. When you hear someone playing your music in a car, in a stereo, club, or rapping the lyrics, It’s a great feeling. I have to bring the realness and passion back to hip hop because it’s so watered down now days, everyone talks about the same topics about money, sex and drugs there’s no balance in music today. The concepts I talk about in my music, is what makes me stand out from the others.
What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?
I think the biggest challenge has been just getting my music to the masses and gaining the right exposure for my type of music. Also getting connected to the right promoters for the right venues, now that part I have gained some traction in but due to COVID-19. The performing part of my career has stopped at the moment which I miss dearly and can’t wait to get back to.
How do you go about writing a song? Do you have a melody in your head and then write the other music for it or what’s your typical songwriting process?
There’s multiple ways that I go about writing my music, sometimes I might have a concept in my head then add a chorus to it. After that I will find a composition that goes with whatever I’m writing about. Another way is that I’ll find a composition first then start writing either the verses or the chorus first. I write a couple bars then start from the beginning of the song then add on to where I left off at and repeat that process because I want everything to flow together. Another way is I’ll just freestyle a song in my head to the composition then write it down later.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
I think it has impacted the music business in a great way because now as artist we’re able to reach fans all over the world in places we would of never imagine. We’re able to collaborate with lots of different artist from all parts of the world. Also being able to promote our music to the masses or when we perform be able to go live so our fans can tune in if their not present at the show. The bad way that it has impacted the music business is that with the streaming services. Us as artist can’t capitalize that much revenue from those services if you me us as artist deserve to be paid more for our music, but those services are still a good thing.
List some famous musicians currently on your playlist
2Pac, Nas, Ice Cube, DJ Quik, The Game, Outkast, T.I., Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, E-40. I have alot more to add but we’ll leave that for another time
What Did You Do Before You Started Making Music?
well I started writing music at age 17 so mostly my entire life but other than that. I always had an interest in sports.
Would you have any advice for young people wanting to follow in your footsteps?
The only advice I have is stay true to your self and don’t just do the music for the money make sure your you have a reason why your doing it and make sure you have passion for it because if there’s no passion then your music has no heart. Also be aware that music is a weapon and a responsibility.
If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?
The music industry has been takin over by the big record labels in a bad way, they don’t care about the negative impact they make on the artist or the music they persuade artist to make and put out that has no purpose at all. Also the big labels take advantage of the artist and it never ends well. There’s no balance with music now a days no creativity no passion no originality. Everything sounds the same and it has really gotten out of hand but I also blame the artist that partake in this ordeal. I’ve have notice that a lot of artist are starting to take the independent route so I think with the internet and all the other tools us as artist have we don’t need the big labels to help so that’s the problem the major labels.
How do you feel about originality?
Originality is very important as a artist it’s what separates us from others, once you find your own unique original style as a artist its best to keep it that way. I don’t feel as a artist you should completely change your style to fit in maybe improvise or add on to your style. As a artist you shouldn’t have to change to please anybody your originality is what makes you a artist.
Is there anything else we should know about you? or Something that you would like to add?
no