MAESTRO has evolved beyond his “Let Your Backbone Slide” days, but people still associate him with his first hit 15 years ago. Does that bother you? No way! For MAESTRO it is through his achievements as an artist that he has evolved and he fondly and proudly remembers his early years.
To date no one has surpassed the levels of achievement that MAESTRO has reached. To date, 7 music awards, 7 albums, 11 JUNO nominations, gold and platinum albums, gold singles, and a mix of other film/TV awards and personal achievements. All this, plus a career in film and television? No wonder his latest album is called Urban Landmark 1989-2005 – he’s obviously made his mark, now let’s see where he goes from here!
One of my first radio interviews was with MAESTRO, when I was working at York University radio, he was a special guest on a show called “The Cutting Edge”. I realized then, after our brief hour together on the show, that this is a passionate man! He is passionate about what he does, who he talks to, what he gets involved in and most of all passionate about MUSIC. It’s the same passion that I saw and felt when we (Liesa Norman and I) sat down with him the day before his CD release party. He really is “running things” now more than ever, his life is a full blown “Symphony in effect”: he just proves that he is “built to last”.
HAVING WORDS WITH WES
Do you seem to have a love affair with Canadian contemporary and rock artists? This isn’t your average hip-hop approach, is it?
WES- Janet Jackson sampled Joni Mitchell, who is much further away than me, a Canadian artist, sampling another Canadian artist. See?
Yeah, but you’re the only one who’s been recognized for doing it.
WES- No, Swollen Members did too, but not many people know that they did a song with Sarah MacLachlan that was HOT. This was part of their last album… I don’t know WHY those guys didn’t make it into the single, it was so hot!
To date you have worked “with” HAYWIRE, GUESS WHO and now Gowan!
WES- It’s something I like to do. Take Canadian rock records and renew them. I have these albums, I like them, I collect them.
So within the song you’re listening to, do you listen to another song?
Orlena, Hip Hop up n’comer Subliminal, Liesa WES- yeah yeah. Like when I heard “Stick to Your Vision” (track from her latest album, which samples The Guess Who’s-These Eyes), I thought… Whooooo! That was a good reflective song to talk about what you’ve been through and inspiring at the same time.
So that was a favorite?
WES – Hell yeah! (chuckles)
Lyrically, do you find that the words come first or the music?
WES – There is no specific formula. A concept can come first and then the music after. You know I never try to assimilate, I try to innovate.
So your last song, Criminal Mind with Larry Gowan, was it something you heard within the song, or was it something you conceptualized on your own?
(left) Orlena, Actor-Richard Leacock, Liesa WES-Nah. It was more like the original version was talking about being a criminal and having a criminal mind. I had the opinion that the justice system is more criminal. But, at the same time, we as a community are not in a position where we are more of a follower, rather than the leader that we should be. In life you have to be a leader and STOP GIVING EXCUSES for whatever! With the song I put my own touch on it. What I love is that Randy Bachman and Larry Gowan like what I did with the song.
Were you in the studio with Larry Gowan?
WES – No. He was in his living room when I played the track for him when he finished and I saw the hairs on his arms stand up. Then we go downstairs to watch her Criminal Mind video and then my new video, in which she appears. The video is in full rotation now, it’s just BANANAS!
Do you consider that violence is faithful to what the media portrays? Or do you really feel that there is a surge of violence within minorities?
The Showstoppers(ctre) Maestro
and Kardinal Offishall WES- Yeah, Yeah (while sighing). It’s a bit of both. However, a bit of sensationalism still ensues. But, to me, it’s embarrassing for all people that we get along with each other like this. We don’t have to be like that. We have lost our ability to “talk” to each other. My question is, how did the weapons get here in the first place? Who brings them to the country? That’s the last line of my song Criminal Mind. I come from a good place and I hope people will gravitate towards what I’m doing.
The album, which came out on August 23, has 5 new hits?
WES- The album doesn’t really have 5 NEW hits, but 5 previously unreleased songs. These tracks have been out before, but only on the radio and more as singles that weren’t available for purchase.
Well, your greatest hits album will cover the span of your career. Are you ready to do any of those moves you used to do for “Let your Backbone Slide”?
R&B Sweetie Melanie DurrantWES- Oh yeah. I’m going to have a full-blown show! Choreography, the works… It’s going to be hot!
You’re still overheated after all these years. You still have the same fever and taste that you had when you were younger. It’s good to see! What are you listening to in your car right now? Do you have any musical influence?
WES- I’m listening to myself right now (burst of laughter from all of us). I have the CD of my program and I am practicing it over and over again.
Laughter aside, you have a reputation to uphold, if you don’t say the right thing you know people are going to write about it! Watching and waiting for you to fall…or just everyone off stage!
What a night! WES- Okay… look… keep looking!
We will do it!
FYI- The next day MAESTRO came with him and blew the roof off the MOD CLUB! The place was packed, people were rioting with his hits and when he let us listen to the final track… it was all over. Hey! When MAESTRO left the stage, everyone else left.
