Hameed Idowu, one of the first musicians to blend modern, alternative trap and pop music with Afrobeats, moved to the DMV area from Nigeria as a child nearly 20 years ago. Now, after only a few years of recording music, Idowu continues diversifying the American music industry with his viral song, Wazy, originally released September 22nd, 2016.

In a 2018 interview with AfroVibes, the Nigerian-born American rapper, singer, and songwriter discussed his experience as a musician.

Why did you move from Nigeria to the U.S.?

For the Dream. You got to go abroad. Everyone thinks you have to so that you can get big but the truth is, when you go abroad, it's not really what it seems but because we're so strong, we make the best of it.

You have been making music for just 2 years now, how have you managed success?

It's God. He got me through something bigger than myself. There’s a lot of things I've been through and whether it's the message within the music or the lyrics, I don’t think it’s me; I think I'm just a vessel. So, at the end of the day, I make music because I want to connect with people around the world. It's either you go into politics, you do movies or, like me, music.

And you chose music?

Music chose me and I chose music. A lot of my songs comes from day-to-day activities. The people around me, inspirational situations, and even imagination. But I like to keep it as real as possible because music is too powerful for you to just play with it. You can’t just say anything.

So what does the word "Wazy" mean?

Wazy is a lifestyle; it's family, it’s security, it’s believing in something bigger than yourself.

Did you make the word up?

I didn’t make it up, it came from someone higher. Also, I think humans think the same because I thought I was the only one using the saying until one day I went on Google and saw someone else was as well.

What advice would you give someone trying to chase their dream?

Chasing your dream shows confidence and for you to make your own means is a very important thing. I don't think we were created in this world to just do what other people say. We're all superior. So, if you can, do anything to show the best version of yourself. Music was my way.