Interview: Mississauga, ON Rapper/Producer Will Ryte Discusses His New Album "Nothing in Common"
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““Nothing In Common” means to me that I am in my own lane. I believe that producing, engineering and mixing all of my songs on my own sets me apart from the average musician.”
What is your creative process when developing new music? Also, what do you look for in production that you write to?
When making new music I always start with the beat. After making my beat if I feel inspired by it, it goes in my writing folder. If it doesn’t inspire me, it might inspire someone else and it gets put into a beat folder where I sell beats from.
My process with writing is I usually set the mic up and have all my vocal effects on while I write so I can see if what I wrote sounds good so far. After getting a blue print recorded I re record everything professionally and then mix and master. I feel like it’s also a great idea to add things to the beat after the song has been recorded and mixed if you feel like it needs more.
Congratulations on the completion and release of your new album "Nothing in Common"; what does that title represent to you as an artist/producer coming out of Mississauga?
Thank you! The title “Nothing in Common” wasn’t actually my first choice; I was having a hard time figuring out an album name so I had to consult a few close friends. After going through the track list, we realized “Nothing In Common” would be a great fit for me.
“Nothing In Common” means to me that I am in my own lane. I believe that producing, engineering and mixing all of my songs on my own sets me apart from the average musician.
Were there any songs that you recorded, planning to include on the album, that didn't make the final cut? If so, why didn't they?
There’s always going to be songs that don’t make the cut. I think this time there was 5 that didn’t fit on the album.
Sometimes it’s a matter of exposure and if the song will get enough traction on the album. Some songs are really meant to be singles and marketed on their own. Other times the song just doesn’t fit the vibe.
How would you say that the Metalworks Institute has helped fuel your growth as an artist/producer?
I would definitely say that Metalworks Institute has been a huge part of my growth as a musician and as an individual. I dropped out of high school in grade 11 and got caught up in drugs and crime landing me in jail on several occasions. After 18 months of collective sentences, I found myself reconnecting with my musical roots. Metalworks helped me focus on the more important things in my life.
The school enabled me to learn from music professionals such as Alfio Annibalini , Chris Crerar and Lenny DeRose, a Juno award winner for his work with the Philosopher Kings. He has also worked with Three Days Grace, Mother Mother, Walk Off The Earth, The Barenaked Ladies, The Tragically Hip, Motley Crew, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, The Trews, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Honeymoon Suite, Prozac, Michael McDonald and many more.
Learning from these musical geniuses has been the most career advancing experience I have ever had.
Who are some Toronto rappers that have inspired you as an artist throughout the years?
An obvious inspiration from Toronto is NAV. I think it’s important to look up to someone in the game and learn from them as much as possible.
Another artist from Toronto that I see as an inspiration is Ali Gatie. Although his music isn’t something I would regularly listen to, I respect and admire the way he marketed himself into the spotlight.
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