The Westleaf
What's up Leafers? Welcome to the latest edition of On the Rise where we interview upcoming industry talent. Today's guest is poet, Kewayne Wadley. Kewayne is straight out of Memphis, Tennessee. He is published in 15 anthologies and has won 10 poetry contests. Kewayne is known for his sultry approach to his ideologies on love & has a deep passion for music. His forthcoming poetry collection is titled "More Songs to Listen to At Midnight". But enough from us, we caught up with Kewayne to discuss his musical and poetic origins. Check out the interview below.
Westleaf Staff: What's up, Kewayne! You're the first poet we've featured! When did you start writing poetry?
Kewayne Wadley: I've always been into the arts & love anything musical. I starting writing poetry and short stories around the age of 13 and have been drawing my whole life. I learned how to play the Alto Saxophone my tenth grade year of high school.
Westleaf Staff: Nice. What city do you represent?
Kewayne Wadley: Memphis, Tennessee.
Westleaf Staff: Dope! So how did you create your stage name?
Kewayne Wadley: Actually it's my real name. It's a mixture of both my mother and my father's name and didn't see a need to change it. Sometimes when people ask me my first name and I tell them they don't believe me lol.
Westleaf Staff: Ha! That's a good combo though. Your name is cool! How did your early life shape your interest in music and poetry?
Kewayne Wadley: I would say throughout everything, music has always been there. Among everyone in my family especially back then before I ventured out on my own into the world of music, my uncle's really helped mold my foundation. Growing up in the south I was surrounded by a bit of everything from blues, to R&B and Reggae. The biggest thing about my writing is being able to have the opportunity to inspire and go from feeling down and out to forgetting what brought you down in the first place or at least have some fun with it.
Westleaf Staff: That's cool. I love that you want to inspire people. Keep up the good work! So who is your biggest Musical influence?
Kewayne Wadley: Hmmm, that's actually a complicated question lol. The biggest!? If I had to close my eyes and give an answer right now. I'd say without a shadow of a doubt. "The Purple Majesty" himself, Prince.
Westleaf Staff: Nice. Prince is a legend! ! Next question! What's been the defining moment in your writing career thus far?
Kewayne Wadley: Poetically speaking, the defining moment in my career thus far would have to be waking up and seeing my first letter of acceptance and every one since then into an Anthology. That's the second, the actual first would be hearing how my words have been able to help someone through a difficult situation or make a tough decision when it felt no one was listening or understood what they were going through. Although life doesn't come with an instruction manual, despite everything we go through, sometimes we forget the human aspect and to me that really means a lot.
Westleaf Staff: Dope. Your writing is changing the world. Keep up the great work!
So what makes you a unique artist?
Kewayne Wadley: I'd have to say as far as uniqueness, my ability to blend thought and emotion in a way that is visually captivating on the page and paint a mini picture that highlights something you don't really see everyday in some capacity.
Westleaf Staff: Nice! I love writers that paint beautiful pictures with their words. So what does art mean to you?
Kewayne Wadley: For me, art is not only captivating. It's also a time capsule that stimulates not only one but all the senses. It's emotional and helps bridge the gap between things experienced as well as the things that have yet to be experienced. For me, it sheds light to new ideas or also reminds you to take a chill pill and reflect on a couple things before the time has passed. Whether it's on the canvas or comes out of the speaker it's the attention to detail that makes things last. A special care that's taken into consideration.
Westleaf Staff: I love that definition! Where do you see your writing career going over the next few years?
Kewayne Wadley: To be honest, I can see it flourishing into something bright. I am still actively learning and I am doing the best I can to properly align what I've learned and apply it to everything that's going on now. I can definitely say that it's interesting and if blessed with longevity we'll see when we get there lol but for now I am just enjoying the voyage and stopping to smell the flowers every chance I can.
Westleaf Staff: You're making some huge moves! I respect it and see the vision! Before we go, describe music in three words.
Kewayne Wadley: Alpha and Omega
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