Music producer Wodii is the inaugural Grand Rapids Beat Down beat battle champion!
Presented by GRHipHop.org, the competition took place September 25, 2021, at Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation during ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, MI. Wodii confidently walked in ready to win. We hope he returns to defend his crown at Winter Beat Down on Jan 8, 2022!
A multi-time beat battle champion, Wodii’s won numerous high-profile contests across the country. On this night he survived the challenge of several talented musicians, including an instant classic semi-final round versus The Fist Coalition’s producer Big Shaady, to stand proud as the victor.
In THIS INTERVIEW Wodii talks about competitive chemistry, winning the Grand Rapids Beat Down, and what audiences learn about him! THIS is for YOU!
Wodii, when you get ready for these events, is your first thought to impress or is your first thought to win?
I think it kind of goes hand in hand, but I’m more win oriented. I try to strategize the best scenario, especially starting out. I try to always impress my first round, always with a blast no matter what the matchup is. That’s to win and that’s for the crowd too. I need the crowd!
You’ve been a part of some huge events, but most will agree that the ArtPrize atmosphere is another level. What did it feel like winning a beat battle during one of the biggest art cultural events in the country?
I’ve been to a lot of beat battles and it’s usually just that event. I was excited when I heard there was one going around ArtPrize. You can feel the energy from all the other arts. You could tell by the appreciation of the crowd that it meant a lot to them to be at the event they were attending. It felt great.
As the night progressed what did you notice from the crowd and what did you notice from the judges?
To be honest, the judges were a tough read. I try to read the judges as best as I can. I try to pay attention. They were a tough read in the first round, but I eventually won them over. They got on my vibe and appreciated it, so I liked that.
As far as the crowd, it was their energy. It was love from round one on.
There was a young man at the contest, 9-years-old, that was rocking with you from the first track you dropped. We found out that he’s an up-and-coming artist himself. How does it feel being able to impress the future of what you do?
It feels special! I like when I do anything that influences the kids to do something productive. I don’t have none of my own so I’m kind of the uncle to a lot of little ones. I take pride in that role. I always try to encourage the little ones. I ask them, “What are you doing with yourself? What do you like to do? If that’s what you like to do, keep on doing it!”
It made me feel good to know that I reached out to somebody.
We’ve seen three battles that you were in with rounds that we consider classics. Two of them were against the same opponent, “Player One” Mark Cooper. One was The Jump Off finales and the other was a 1st round clash in Detroit.
That was a feature battle! We were the mainline for a tournament battle, so they had us go at it.
Classic!
Aye! Mark Cooper’s a beast! Shout out to Coop. That’s my brotha.
The other classic was your semi-final versus Big Shaady at the Beat Down.
Again, that’s my brotha.
How is it to have such competitive chemistry with other producers?
It’s exciting but it’s scary, too. You’re standing across the stage from somebody that you know well. For the Beat Down Shaady made me go deep into my bag! Deeper than I’ve ever had to go!
When you won, we asked you in front of the live audience what you learn from events like that one. As a competitor, as a producer, as an artist, as a creative person, what do you want the audience to learn about you – win or lose?
That I just love my crowd!
I want them to see that I work hard at what I do. Win or lose, as long as you appreciate that, I go home happy. I’ve lost a lot of events and had people come up and say I should have won or that I was their favorite. I appreciate that. |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
