Meet Waves the Rapper | Tennessee Underground HipHop

We had the good fortune of connecting with Waves the Rapper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Waves, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I’m not sure where I heard this so I don’t know who to credit, but this has really stuck with me…

“Practice turning people to trees.
When you’re in the woods you see all these trees. Some are straight and others are crooked. Some are tall and some are short. Some have thick, full trunks and others are thin, gnarled and twisted up. You see them and you know, without even thinking of it, that they grew that way. Either they got too much sun or not enough. Maybe their soil is more fertile. Maybe they get more rain than others. You know this and you let it be. You don’t try to change the tree and you don’t let the tree change you.
The moment we get around humans we lose all that. We tend to say things like “You’re too this” or “You’re not enough that”. She’s too fat or skinny. He’s too arrogant or she’s not nice enough. We forget that they all grew that way. Either they received too much love or not enough. Maybe they had less nourishment and enrichment in their lives. We want to change people and shape them into a version that we find agreeable.
So, I practice turning people to trees. I appreciate them for who they are, but I don’t try to change them. And I don’t let them change me.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an underground HipHop artist. Completely independent. I released an EP several years ago (The World’s Last Poet). I released a full length album in February 2024 (Barely Human). Those are available right now on all streaming platforms. I have two more full length albums written and ready to record. Taking my time with these next two projects. I also make my lofi hiphop instrumentals. After these next two albums are released I will be putting together instrumental records under my group name (Nothing Is Real) so look out for those in the near future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would definitely have to set up a comedy night. Hit up Zanies and there are tons of great restaurants to try. The Nashville Zoo would be on the list. The last few times we took the kids they were still doing a lot of construction and additions but its nice. I’m not much on clubbing but we could definitely bar hop around the downtown area. If I’m feeling dangerous we would find us a skatepark so my buddy could watch me a crack a rib or something. (I’m too old to be skateboarding and not very good at all, but IDGAF)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I haven’t had much success … yet, but that’s not really why I make music. I make music because I don’t know how NOT to make music. I guess if I had to give a shoutout it would have to be to some of my influences; bands and artists that really stuck with me and left an imprint on who I am. (p.s. This list may be a bit confusing to some since I am a hiphop artist but I have never been boxed in. I listen to all different genres of music)

1. Deftones
2. Maynard James Keenan
3. Tech N9ne
4. Haystak
5. David Gilmore
6. The Eagles
7. Bone Thugs N’ Harmony
8. Gangstarr
9. Mob Deep
10. Pantera

Website: https://linktr.ee/wavestherapper

Instagram: https://waves.the.rapper

Twitter: Waves_therapper

Facebook: wavygang615

Youtube: WavestheRapper.official