Where did the name C. Wells come from?
It’s funny how the name C Wells came about. I was in the streets early as a kid and very early on we chilled on Grove st. There was a bunch of us by the name of “Chris” so I came to the block one day and we all had nicknames and they were randomly calling me “C Wells” I didn’t know how it was spelled or where it came from I thought it was C Wills at first cause my names Chris Williams but the streets were correcting me on my own name like nah it’s C Wells that sounds better. I tried to run from it at first but eventually, it stuck now here we are.
Talk to us about your early years, what were you like as a younger C. Wells? Did it play a part in what you are today?
Yes, that’s pretty much why I kept the before rap name I was given and didn’t change it C Wells made a name for himself already. Growing up I would say I had pretty strict parents but ever since elementary school I either chilled with people much older than me or the friends I did hang out with my age played a little sports but was also getting into trouble early. I’d say the rapping came from the older friends I had growing up so I took that with life experiences I allowed myself to have on my own which was dope because a lot of the people that’s been following me since day one feel like they watched this grow.
How long have you been creating music?
So I was always in love with music since birth but I just never knew how to reach it. As I got older I want to say around 2002 God Son came out I heard “Made You Look” by Nas and I was highly inspired then I come across 50 Cent “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” and my decision was made mind you, I’m 9 years old. I meet Jo Jo, a staff at this after-school program I went to, called Gregg House. He created a project for us that we got to make a song to perform he seen how hard I was working on that verse and helped me take it to another level. Other than that there was really no studios around the city that I knew about so all it really was for me was writing from like 9 to 14 when I got to high school and a rapper I met there introduced me to a studio.
To all the new listeners, what are 2-3 must-listen songs from your catalog?
3 songs I’d say the listeners have to listen to are “For The Paper”, “Where I’m From”, and, of course, “Goat”.
If you could describe your music in 2-3 words what would they be?
Lyrical, Catchy, and Unorthodox.
Who were some of your influences growing up? Musical influences?
50, Nas, Jay Z, Bow Wow, Lil Wayne, Drake and J Cole.
Where is C. Wells from?
I’m From Lynn, Massachusetts. “Lynn, Lynn the City Of Sin …”
What was it like growing up in Lynn. Massachusetts? Was music something that was accepted as a career path?
Growing up in Lynn was definitely tough I grew up in a time rapping wasn’t really accepted, I could say there wasn’t really any direction yet as well. Not many people were making it out of Boston yet other than (guru, Benzino, etc.) but it had been a while. Let alone the small city called Lynn who hasn’t been given much to believe in besides sports and I could say I played a big role in that When I started rapping. My goal was to do things people around my way haven’t seen before knowing I was going to have to do 100 times the work due to the lack of resources we have here. Because the talents certainly here at least now .
Can you talk to us about your pen, your craft, and your abilities? Where did the abilities come from?
I’d take it back to when I was 9 Righteous (Jo Jo) hates when I say it but he helped me write my first verse I was a kid but I knew all I needed was that boost. I’m hands-on anyways I just needed to be shown how this works, Besides this was somebody I already respected as a good rapper so there was nobody better than him to show me.
Then comes the rappers and music I was listening to come high school when I decided to take rap serious and I could say I was listening to a lot of Drake, J Cole, Lil Wayne & Hov knowing that if I wanted to be the best I had to study the best and how they were doing it at the time. I feel like being a student always wanting to learn plays a big role in my craft.
Do you tend to freestyle or write?
I really go off my mood. I love free-styling but something I also figured out through college is I love writing as well. If I have a lot on my chest you just might catch me walking in the booth with nothing but a fronto rolled but if I feel like really articulating something perfectly I might sit and write for a few minutes and I’ll most likely know it by heart.
How did your record with G Herbo come about? How was it making a record with him?
A mutual friend of ours actually made that song happen and I appreciate him still to this day for making that happen. Making the record was dope that was probably the first time I watched an artist not write a verse, just go in and it was actually fire. A lot of dope moments come from that song for sure. It had to happen I could honestly say that was one of those things my city hasn’t seen yet so We had to make to make that happen.
Your latest single “Goat” is gaining some mass attention across plenty of media outlets as your song continues to grow. How does it feel to begin to garner the attention that you are receiving?
It’s something I’ve certainly been waiting for looks like it’s on its way to being one of my biggest songs. I don’t feel like I rapped on this it was more like a painting that should be displayed in a gallery to me.
What was the creative process behind “Goat”?
I just wanted to take it back to why I do this not only remind myself but to remind others that I built this myself. Soon as I heard the beat it didn’t take long at all for the words to come to me.
What are 3-5 studio essentials for C. Wells?
Fronto, Weed, and Water (if there’s food there fire).
What do you want others to take from your music? Is there a certain message you are looking to get across with your music?
The all-around message to get across to the world is there are people out there who do understand both sides of the fence whether it’s being from the streets or having your diploma and we don’t have many voices for that and I want to be that.
If you could work with 3 present artists, who would they be?
Drake, Tyler The Creator, and Joey Badass.
If you could work with 3 artists from the past, who would they be?
Jay Z, Lil Wayne, and Jadakiss.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
The Live Famous Brand feeding my family for sure & reaping the benefits of all the hard work that’s been put in no matter how this goes.
What do you have planned for the rest of the year? New music anytime soon?
I Have a bunch of new music ready to go along with videos all I needed was this moment right here to get the ball rolling.
What separates you from everyone else that is creating music these days?
Nobody my age right now is really rapping or even giving a good balance of everything. Where I come from is very diverse and I bring my city with me everywhere I go so adapting is never an issue neither is changing direction nor is reinventing not many artists have that.
Is a tour or any events planned for the near future?
Definitely would love to tour. Me being part of a tour is usually random so who knows but as long as covid working in our favor I’m open to all opportunities.
What is it like to completely bet on yourself with this music path you are choosing to pursue? Talk to us about the highs and the lows of this all, the pressures?
I can’t even lie to you this road been tough but when it’s good it’s good. I’ve been betting on myself for so long though I’m numb to it the odds have been against me every time especially in sports with coaches playing favorites but right here I control the outcome. I can’t blame anybody for my losses and take all the credit for wins.
Although you might not be at your final destination and where you truly see yourself. Your work ethic is undeniable. Do you have any wisdom or advice to give to your pees or those that are looking to take the same route as you?
Don’t let anybody tell you anything. I went from the kid who got his first mixtape thrown out of people’s windows to inspiring others to rap you’ll enjoy the results later.
Thoughts on the music industry? Is it as cutthroat as everyone says?
Yes. If I knew what I knew now coming into this would I be into it? Who knows but it’s definitely not what 9 year old me thought this game was but I’m willing to accept that we here can’t stop now just got to weed through to find what you love in this & stick with it.
Do you want to sign somewhere eventually or do you see yourself taking the independent route for the long run?
If the opportunity is right sure I’ll sign. If I could also get to where I need to be independent I’ll take that as well. It’s all about sharing a vision with me either route I’ll make history where I’m from it just has to be done right and feel right to me there’s already enough bad business that goes on.
What type of music did you grow up listening to?
Anything my mother listened to her taste for music was influential she’ll go from listening to Billie holiday to Tupac to Mary j to method man to Monica to DMX etc. I could definitely say I got my ear from her then according to my dad they named me after Christopher Williams music was in my face before I even knew it.
What is your favorite record that you have dropped to date? Not the fan-favorite, you’re favorite. And why?
I’d say it was a song I dropped on SoundCloud called “get the message?” a while back. It was a song that I felt didn’t get the listens it should’ve been like other songs I’ve released but it showed how talented I was early being able to tell a story backward. Growing up I always felt like being able to rap telling a story backward was fire like when Nas did it and I wouldn’t tell myself I was any good till I was able to achieve that and I did.
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