Meet Noah Hawes | Rapper, Music Producer, & Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Noah Hawes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Noah, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
Although i have moments where i may entertain the thought of giving up on my dream, I never will because chasing my dream is just part of me. If I gave up on my dream, I’d really be giving up on myself. On top of that, I know that giving up is guaranteeing my failure.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started rapping and making music in the 10th grade. I became a member of this Hip Hop youth center, Elementz, and i began to learn the process of studio recording and music producing. Elementz gave me the resources and space to grow as a creative, which is a huge part of the reason I’m here today. My artistic influences also played a significant role in my creative process and growth. I learned how to rap from listening to and studying Eminem, J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, and Royce Da 5’9. From Eminem and Royce Da 5’9, I learned how to master techniques such as; cadence, multisyllabic rhyming, breath control, rhyme schemes, and wordplay/punchlines. J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar taught me how be vulnerable and introspective. They also taught me how to put together albums as cohesive bodies of work. Lil Wayne taught me song structure and one-liners. It took me a while to be able to take what i learned from those artists and create my own sound, but i’m happy to say that i’ve succeeded in creating my own style and sound.

Some important lessons i learned along the way are: be intentional about creating, there is no such thing as a wrong song structure, critiques are just glorified opinions, be authentic, and network. All of those things play a significant role in what i perceive to be successful creating.

As a visual artist, my origins go back way farther than 10th grade; i’ve been good at drawing since i was very little. I only have only influence as a visual artist: my dad. i remember we used to sit as a family and he would draw with us; he was a talented artist too. My ability to draw was always such a novelty to those around me and i used it as social currency when i was younger. Hilariously, when i was in middle school, i even used to think i was a better illustrator than my art teacher lol. As a youth, other kids used to treat me special based on the simple i could draw so well. that special treatment definitely went to my head. But now as an adult, it feels less special because i feel the need to monetize my artwork. The portraits i do now are so time consuming so i can’t afford to make them for compliments and props, like i used to do. I draw less nowadays because the payoff is harder to come by. However, it does still pay off. My output is significantly lower, but i gain more than i ever have from each piece. That is a balance that I’m happy with.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Although my best friends live here in Cincinnati, I’d recommend attending all of my favorite events happing in the local music scene. those events are: Monday Nights at The Comet, Wordplay Thursday at Japp’s Bar, and Ubuntu at Revel OTR. We’d also go to Trader’s World Flea Market.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to God, my friends, my family, my peers, Elementz, and everyone who ever made me genuinely smile.

Website: www.noahhawesraps.com

Instagram: @noahhawesraps

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrl9Hqby78O0hOPvpq-TvkQ

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Cortez True, Chenelle Jones, and Noah Hawes