THE VAULT: HIP HOP

Jen G.: Looking back, do you think you could have gone through that without Christ and come out so strong emotionally?

WeezAy: Honestly? No way! I think I would have done things I would have regretted. We are human; we all do human things, such as act on anger! Without Christ, I would be in a hot mess right now. I would be so lost. If I could watch myself from the sky without Christ, I would cry because a life without Christ is meaningless, oppressed, and stressed.

Jen G.: What have you found in your relationship with Christ that no earthly man can give to you?

WeezAy: Security, trust, real love, and peace. Men are human, and God is divine. Think about it. People will always disappoint, but God will never disappoint.

Jen G.: I know one of your favorite female artists is Stacie Orrico, so I have to ask: does “I’m Not Missing You” relate to your situation?

WeezAy: That’s odd that you should mention that! On MySpace, I have a blog that shares my experience and uses “I’m Not Missing You” as the subject. That song in particular just spoke to me… Although Stacie’s music is more mainstream now, God still used her music to touch me and minister to me because she has such a genuine heart for the Lord. I think that Stacie’s Beautiful Awakening album was a “Beautiful Awakening” for me, too. I love Stacie! I want to thank her so much! Maybe one day in person!

“Through making this album, my whole heart has gone into it. I’ve shed many tears, and I’ve reached down into my soul where I’ve expressed deep sorrow, pain, happiness, and fear.”

Jen G.: Your upcoming album Another Day is an incredible arrangement of songs that paints a picture of a woman of faith who won’t be held back. Tell me about the journey of making the album…

WeezAy: The journey into making this particular album has been a whole new experience for me. Through making this album, my whole heart has gone into it. I’ve shed many tears, and I’ve reached down into my soul where I’ve expressed deep sorrow, pain, happiness, and fear. This album is me. Making this album has been a wonderful and healing experience. God showed me a lot about myself in making this album, and I feel so blessed to know Him.

Jen G.: Who wrote the songs?

WeezAy: I wrote 90% of the songs on the album! The other 10% are from the other artists who contributed verses on collaborations. My brother Dean co-wrote a couple of the songs, and last but not least, “Need Your Love” was written for me by one of my dear friends, Casey Vera.

Jen G.: How’d y’all come up with the beats?

WeezAy: My brother Dean D. is my producer. He makes it all from scratch! He does all the hard work; I do all the easy stuff! Dean is just amazing. He is my role model!

Jen G.: Who’s going to be featured on the album?

WeezAy: Manwell, J. Bingo of the Kenoly Brothers, SMC, SupaMan, Whuteva, RSA (an amazing femcee), Prozpera “D,” and my brother Dean D.

Jen G.: Which song would you call your lyrical testimony?

WeezAy: “Let Him Go” is a true story about my life that I feel will reach out to so many women who’ve gone through similar situations.

Jen G.: “Pressure,” where you ask, “Will You Break Under Pressure?” is seriously hot. It reminds me of that Scripture that God won’t put more on us than what we can bear! What inspired the song, and whose are the male vocals?

WeezAy: I was inspired to write “Pressure” to explain that everyone goes through hard times and everyone has a breaking point. But no matter how hard life can be, it doesn’t mean you need to fall off the deep end. And if you do, get back up.

The male vocals belong to the one and only Whuteva. He’s from New York, and he has such an amazing style and testimony. I had to get him on this track!

Jen G.: I think that song can apply to so many temptations of the world. How would you tell someone to weigh the cost of their temptation?

WeezAy: I’ll put it this way: IT’S NOT WORTH IT!!! DON’T FALL INTO TEMPTATION! I repeat, DON’T FALL INTO TEMPTATION!!! There are consequences for every action. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. Don’t allow any sin to keep you away from what you know in your heart is right because, in the end, you’re only robbing yourself of the blessings.

Jen G.: In “Faithful,” you talk about God being faithful even when we’re not. There are so many questions in that song, but you give the answer, which is Christ. How do you know He loves you no matter what?

WeezAy: I’ve been through so many hard times in my life where I felt like giving up, but I didn’t. I stayed faithful to God in every aspect of my life. There were times when I was weak, but He made me strong. I never truly knew the Lord until I saw Him answer my prayers because of my longing to serve Him with all my heart. One day, I started to realize how faithful He is and wanted to write about it. I know God loves me no matter what because I have this peace in my heart that passes all understanding. God sees my heart and knows I am sincere; therefore, His faithfulness is beyond all comprehension.

Jen G.: I’m loving the “Hostile Interlude” featuring J. Bingo! Tell me a little about how he was involved in the making of your album.

WeezAy: Bingo is such a wonderful friend and a caring individual. He’s like a brother to me. When I was in high school, he and his brother Sam joined forces and cut an album called All the Way. It was the encouragement I needed to help me get through the year. I never thought in a million years I would have the opportunity to work with one of the Kenoly Brothers. Bingo is always there when I need encouragement and prayer. He has been such a big influence in a positive way. I love my brother! He has a true heart for God.

Jen G.: “What If” is an out-of-sight rock-rap feel! Tell me a bit about the creativity that went into that particular track.

WeezAy: I wrote “What If” because deep in my heart, I felt there was a need in the young people of this world today. “What If” makes you think. I believe it was necessary to touch on subjects such as suicide, drugs, and alcohol, and how each has an effect on the world we live in. I write whatever God puts on my heart, and at the time, I was thinking about all the young people who are throwing their lives away. I just want them to know there is a better way, and they need to stop and think about where their lives are headed.

Jen G.: What work have you done with Group 1 Crew?

WeezAy: I’ve had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with Manwell of Group 1 Crew! He is an encouragement to me and such a wonderful friend.

Jen G.: What can we expect from you in 2008?

WeezAy: I’ll still be doing my thing for God! I’ll never give up or give in. God wrote the music in my soul, and without it, I’m lost! Be expecting to see me pursue my goals in music and reach out to as many people as I can through my testimony, experiences, and my music.