Artist Profile: RetroHawki.

By: Smoove.

Introduce yourself.

I go by RetroHawki– I’m from Philadelphia. Did most of my recent work in New York City & I’m on my way to take over Boston.

I started making music with a dear friend in 2nd grade. My mom bought a tape recorder for me and we wrote notes down and then recorded them on it. I took a hiatus but began recording again in late 2014. I record music because it’s always been a pleasure enduring the creative experience. Sound is powerful. I also have been through a lot and I have an insane story & ear that need to be heard. I want to prove to myself and everyone that I am an artistic powerhouse and can sustain myself off my natural brand alone.

How would you define your sound? Who is your “average” listener?

I have multiple sounds that fall under my general sonic umbrella. I can go dark & eerie with trap undertones accompanied with melodic rap flows or avant-garde vocal approaches with verses.

But my main sound is “nightcore”--which already exists as a genre but I’ve rebranded it to my small audience as night time music, for the late night into the early morning. The sounds resemble vintage vaporwave & retro R&B samples, with introspective, trap & industry rap approaches.

My average listener is the everyday artist and outcast, women, men & etc who struggled to come into their own. I’m still ironing out who my true target audience is.

Who would you say some of your influences are in the music industry?

My influences are Drake, Sade, PartyNextDoor, Biggie Smalls, Hov, Meek, Kur, $uicide Boys, Kendrick Lamar, Alan Howarth, Hans Zimmer, and Maze & Frankie Beverly to name some. Also a lot of my peers.

What is your favorite thing about making music and releasing it to the world?

I absolutely love the process of bringing my thoughts to life sonically in the studio. I’ve been recording myself lately in my iPhone & it’s made a huge difference. I get to showcase an aspect of my true nature to people that know me and strangers and it brings me peace.

The beats I go over truly evoke nostalgia from me which helps me to create personal bodies of work. With both of my parents deceased, recording and releasing music has been quite therapeutic. The process of releasing the content also fires me up because I enjoy branding my work with cover art and roll out footage. I’m a multifaceted artist so I finally get to show folks how I’m truly coming.

What is your studio ritual?

If I’m actually sliding to a booth by myself or with friends, I need a bottle of champagne for the final listen through and a few spliffs. If I’m recording myself at the crib, I just need some tea, water & fresh prince or Martin playing on the laptop in the background on mute.

What is your favorite song of yours?

I honestly can’t name a favorite. I’m always seeking my favorite track. I have a favorite song until I have a favorite song of mine if that makes sense..I get bored/infatuated easily with my music. Some of my favorites as of now are Sonic Odyssey (PM Passion Vol. II), Nothing’s Forever (STORM Tape), C’est La Vie (Soundcloud), Lips on Fire (PM Passion Vol. III), No Neighbors (Vol. III), Lately It’s Soju (STORM), Tabria Majors STORM), Shannon’s Regards (Vol. III), Walking on Nantasket (Vol. III), & Do Not Disturb (feat. Tony Pesos).

Biggest lesson you’ve learned since the start of your career?

Do not fall into imposter syndrome. Believe in yourself, and breathe/stay present as you ride the waves of creative droughts and breakthroughs. And stay disciplined.

What has been your favorite or biggest accomplishment this year?

Honestly being able to lay a few tracks down. I’ve been battling a big depression wave and have been doubting myself. But each track I’ve made this year surprised me. I’m content with where I’m going sonically. I even made a dance song a while before the rest of the industry started hopping on the wave so I’m eager to share my contributions (shoutout to Philly.)

Whats the theme song to your life?

A Real Hero- Electric Youth

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