Roll Call: Wil May
November 18th, 2008 by Rodney Carmichael in Music news, roll call
For today’s Roll Call, we call out Atlanta’s favorite black hipster, Wil May, who’s been hibernating in L.A.
Who are you?
I am Wil May aka Bill Whitfield aka Lil WiWi fa sho. My mom calls me WILLIAM. I am WILLIAM E. MAY by birth. Regal, I know. And, in college [Emory University] they used to call me POSTMODERN. So I am POSTMODERN. I am an artist/music producer/the orchestrator of the MAKESHIFT movement.
Describe yourself in three words.
Uber, Astute, MAKESHIFT
Whom — dead or alive — would most you like to meet?
As of now, Mr. Barack Obama. I wouldn’t want to just meet him. I wanna be homies with him.
Whom would you most like to slap in the face?
Billy O’Reilly (make sure you put Billy). He just says dumb, insensitive, incendiary shit to me.
What song do you wish you had written?
I can’t just say one song. Debussy’s “Clair De Lune,” Pink Floyd’s “Time,” OutKast’s “Elevators” and T.I.’s “What You Know.”
Lil Wayne or Little Richard?
Weezy F. Baby. Say what you will about Weezy but Lil Wayne’s work ethic is amazing. Peep the skit on his new mixtape Dedication 3 called “You Love Me You Hate Me.” He explains his work ethic in a hilarious way. Plus, Kanye, TIP, and Wayne are basically giving ppl evidence that the music industry still exists in a major way. And, now WEEZY is expressing that he wants to start pushing the boundaries of his craft. Hopefully he’s serious. So Weezy F. Baby over Little Richard. Plus, I was never a fan of Little Richard’s perm. I feel what he was doing back then in the beginning of rock ‘n’ roll and all, but now, nahh.
LP, CD or MP3?
The MP3 is liberating by nature. So the MP3. Only high quality ones though … 320kbps. The LP is cool, but for cultural reasons. CD’s are just annoying at this point.
If you could start one trend, what would it be?
I feel like I have. I was wearing Topsiders, colorful ones too, way before they got popular again, back in my early URBAN W.A.S.P.in’ days.
I would like to start a trend to seriously use and continually improve alternative, green and cheap energy to the masses.
If you could end one trend, what would it be?
I’m not easily annoyed by things, trends or ppl. Trends are trends because they comment on something profound or seemingly profound. Ppl don’t like trends because they become clichés, and “errbody got ‘em.” But clichés are clichés only because at some point they were profound or interesting or cool … to a lot of ppl.
But one trend I would definitely end is 360 artist deals. It’s unethical.
With whom would you most like to play a game of spin the bottle?
I think I played enough of that in high school during those summer nights on Lake Michigan, but still, who’s not down for a game of good, old-fashioned spin the bottle. So I would say Janelle Monae is with whom I’d play.
Download “Sweet Confusion” MP3
November 18th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Wil May is a young visionary, after I posted this dudes track to my blog I contacted him and we had one of the best conversations about music that I have ever had.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Wil May is that dude! Only criticism is that he is not blessing us with more of those bangers he has. When is the EP dropping?
November 18th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
…its me, wilmay, badmotha f*cka, got the homegrownnnnnn, topsiders oooonnnnnnn… you love the word astute like i love MSP – nice invu meng
November 18th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
The talent doesn’t stop at music. Wil May is a true talent across the board. Great music inspires me to “get that money mane”
November 18th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
William May was always exceptionally brilliant and it is no surprise he mad it as far as he did. As a fellow musician and a music lover I respect and admire all that he has accomplished. Rock on Willi May!
November 18th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Growing up with William I always knew he was acceptionally smart and would go far in life. But as a fellow musician and music fanatic I have grown to respect and adore him far beyond my wildest dreams. All I can say we love you Will!
November 18th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
The 808 Experiment: Vol 1
Sweet Confusion – Wil May & Toussaint
Download the project now!!!!
http://www.zshare.net/download/514993816ecbfd6e/
November 18th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
What is the name of the dope song you did with SMKA productions???? that song is the anthem of ‘09!!!! their beats are hot!!!!! it was a smart move teaming up with SMKA on the production tip. keep on working with them playa!!!!!
November 18th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
cool interview. wil may is definitely that dude to look out for. and his beats are crazy too.
November 18th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
…been bumpin the lil wiwi fa sho since we were riding in the mayflower …wil may = a brand, a genre, a Movement. Blissful marriage of sound and swag. keep keepin on.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Props to WM, dude has grown like a fuckin beast over the last few years. Its good to see passion and dedication to the game. If I was to compare the first records I heard to now there is no comparison. Dude is on the right track. Keep pushin’ I know you see that LIGHT and you got more vision then most of em’ out there..
PEACE
Word to the MOTHERSHIP…
November 18th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Wil May is a genius! His swag is crazy. His music is always on-point. Keep your eyes and ears open for this dude.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:02 am
The lyrics on this song are absolutely next level
I wanna just reach her and say I got cancer, to hope she picks up the phone.
F’ing brilliant! This song really speaks to me!
November 19th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Keep doing your thing mayne. The music is hot. I definitely would like you to bless my project.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:41 am
My dude you went in on that interview
November 28th, 2008 at 11:04 am
That’s my dog!!!
“You don’t deserve the horns”…