CCM Exclusive: GAWVI Releases New Single ‘GET EM’

CCM Magazine recently caught up with Christian Rap/Hip-Hop artist GAWVI to talk about his new single and upcoming album. Here’s what he had to say…

CCM: What’s the story behind your latest single?
GAWVI: I wanted to have fun with this song and bring an aggressive sound that I hadn’t brought in any of my previous music. Plus I wanted to introduce fans to some really special guys that I have been working with and believe so much in. I thought this would be a great introduction for them.

CCM: How did you arrive at the name of your new album?
GAWVI: This album is a very personal project for me. I opened up more on this project than I ever have. I wanted to give people more than just a glimpse into my ups and downs as a young man, as a Christian. We have a tendency to sometimes only want to give just a piece of ourselves to people. For me, in just the place I am in my life right now, I wanted to share my raw emotions and feelings of not having it all together sometimes and being okay with that. Panorama is that. When you think of a panoramic photo, you’re seeing the whole picture. That’s what I want this album to be for people. I want this to be me standing in all my vulnerability  and giving you permission to see what life looks like on my side. I want to encourage people that it’s ok to be honest, but also it’s necessary to see that these struggles are a small piece of a bigger picture.

CCM: How important is your faith or spirituality within your music?
GAWVI: It’s important. At the core, it’s who I am. I want my music to inspire people. I want it to move people and bring people together. I want people to walk away after listening to my music and challenged to live their life with purpose.

CCM: What led you to pursue a career or ministry in music?
GAWVI: I’ve dreamt of this my whole life. I grew up in a musical home. I was always listening to music. I played the drums. It was always in me. Starting out as a producer was such an amazing experience for me. Creating a soundtrack to people’s lives, that is so fulfilling. As my career continued to grow, I realized that I had something to say, not just produce music and hang out behind the scenes, but I wanted to communicate something with my own words. I felt it was good to come out of the shadows and share my voice with my culture, be a voice of a generation yearning for something different.-

CCM: If you could tell the world about another artist/band to check out, who would it be?
GAWVI: As I mentioned earlier, I have these amazing young guys featured on my new single, “Get Em.” These guys are like a breath of fresh air. They’re young, their passionate, they love God. They believe in what we’re building and I want to see them grow. I believe they are the future of our genre. They all bring something different to the table. Aklesso is from Haiti and has a missionaries heart. His talent goes beyond Hip-Hop. Rhomar Jessy is from the Philippines and has a heart for people. He’s creative and hilarious and TROSSTHEGIANT, brings the foundational Hip-Hop sound but with the new school vibes we all are loving right now. So yea, make sure to look them up.