Authority Magazine

Rising Music Star Rawle On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry

An Interview With Edward Sylvan

[as originally published on medium.com]

As a part of our series about rising music stars, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Rawle.

Canadian R&B, soul, and pop recording artist Rawle has been compared to such contemporaries as Usher and Jason Derulo. In 2015, Rawle released his debut single entitled “Alone,” which was well-received, followed by a tour across the U.S. and Canada. In 2017 moved to Los Angeles where he quickly began booking shows in Hollywood, including the pre-show performances for the BET Awards. He has since released two singles including “Broken Love” (2020) and “Who Are You” (2021) and is set to release his debut EP in April 2022, “Find My Way,” a labor of love that details his own story of finding himself and his way through the trials and tribulations of life. The EP, which covers such ground as heartbreak, understanding, and overcoming triumphs, also features singer Melanie Amaro, winner of the first season of The X Factor US, on the song “Broken Love.”

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

Igrew in Toronto, Canada loving music. Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to be a singer and performer. My father use to play 80s and 90s music throughout the house most days of the week. I would literally start singing along to Luther Vandross, Boys II Men, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and of course a lot of reggae music. This made me want to enroll in every music class I could during my school career. My music teachers had their hands full with me because I use to try to practice on every instrument they had. They convinced me eventually to play the trombone and baritone in my elementary school band. Most of my upbringing was focused on sports and music. I would spend hours in my room listening to cassettes and watching music videos on MTV.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

My father was my first inspiration. He would sing a lot. When I got to high school there was a vocal class program which was only available to second year students and up. Some students would ask me to sing in the halls between classes. That lead to the vocal class teacher and the administration changing the rules for me and registering me in the vocal arts program. The most defining moment for me was seeing Usher and hearing his music, seeing him dance to his songs so much. I decided that was the path for me, to develop a career in music because I looked up to him so much.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

There have been many interesting moments, it’s hard to really pinpoint specific ones. I can say however, I often think of the time I ended up on tour with Mindless Behavior, B5, and Melanie Amaro. I randomly met them just before I was invited, and I remember being honest about some of the songs they had released and how I didn’t like them. They loved my authenticity and from there it was an interesting adventure, especially once we got to Jamaica for their final stop. We were almost stranded on the island after the show. I really bonded with the artists on that tour, and it made me realize that I really belonged in music. Everyone would always ask me when I was going to perform or put out music because, at the time, I was only songwriting for artists. I made bonds that are still in place today with some of those individuals.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

A funny mistake I made was thinking that I had to dress a certain way to look like a real artist. I am an R&B/pop singer, and I would dress like a hip-hop 90s rapper in baggy clothes and durags on my head. That was not who I was as an artist, but that’s how I thought I had to look. I came to learn it’s best to dress based on my own tastes as a creative.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

I am very excited about my new E.P. entitled “Find My Way.” It’s my very first mini body of work. I called it that based on my personal journey with music and having to also navigate through everyday life, which is hard for everyone. Life is not easy, it’s an obstacle course. I am finally putting it all out there and focused on building a vibrant career, and this project outlines how I had to find my way to this point I’m at now. I am beyond excited to share this music with the world.

We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?

I think its super important. Firstly, because people from different cultures will feel represented and seen by the rest of society. Secondly, it will spread awareness about those who are from different cultural backgrounds, allowing others to see the art expressed outside of their own perspective. Lastly, it makes the world beautiful and more colorful and interesting.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

1) I wish someone would have told me it is necessary for you to be yourself. Don’t think you have to change who you are for people in order to like you and your music. Authenticity is a superpower. I used to struggle with being an individual, pretending to be a certain way just to go along with what I thought was popular.

2) Always work on your craft, practice, grow, and cultivate your creativity. No matter where you’re starting from or how skilled you are or are not, keep working on yourself. Devoting time to learn how you can improve will always pay off. There was a time when I thought I reached my full potential, so I stopped working at being a better version of myself. This had me stuck and not able to be creative. I eventually started working on myself again and I began to really grow as an artist.

3) Make sure you are happy with whatever art you do or create as an artist. It’s yours, you’re the one who must live with the final product forever. In the studio while recording or writing, others can have opinions about how something should sound or what you should say. But if it does not resonate with you, keep it true to how you intend for it to be.

4) It’s okay to take a break to make sure you are mentally okay. Surround yourself with things and people that keep you grounded, and remember to take those moments in and really experience them as they are happening. Often life would be moving so fast that I would lose myself and burn out. Don’t stretch yourself that way. Taking breaks and time for yourself is of the utmost importance.

5) Finally, this is not a race. Take your time. I personally was impatient at times and wanted things with my career to be further along than they were. It was also frustrating seeing others being successful in areas I was working so hard in but reaping little results. I learned everything will happen in its time. You just have to always stay ready and be prepared for when your moments come. And you can also have more than one successful moment if you just keep focused and working on yourself. I’m still not where I fully want to be yet, but I’m so much further than I have ever been, and I have had many successful moments while still working my way to more.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

I would recommend keeping your circle or group of friends very tight-knit. We don’t realize it easily, but as entertainers we have some friends or associates around us that are energy drainers, and they literally will suck the life out of you without you realizing it sometimes. So, know who’s in your corner for real. Those folks that only want the best for you versus who’s just there to see what they can gain from you while giving very little effort to lift you up.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

If I can inspire a movement, it would be about social harmony, especially artists collaborating with each other more. Today it seems like people think it’s cool to not care and to be against one another. But that’s really is tearing communities and people apart. If more entertainers and celebrities worked together in social harmony, I feel the rest of the world would to. I think people want to live in a society that is more peaceful with less chaos.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Wow, there have been a few people, especially over the last 2 to 3 years. Some names more importantly would be David Lewis-Peart, Camille Moore, Joel St. John, Simeyon Barber, Alice Wong and Amanda Godda. I don’t believe I’d be this far along without these good people intervening in my life and helping me focus on music. I tried to work regular jobs or play a behind the scenes role in the entertainment business to not have to continue with my real purpose. But they pushed me to see my greatness and not let me feel sorry for myself when I tried [laughs]. They have supported my career without wavering and I am eternally grateful. I absolutely needed their help.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Never stop trying. Do not give up.” This has been the theme of my life. I have been knocked down more times than I can even remember, but no matter what, I found a way to get back up and keep going. It has helped realize life is truly a journey and a marathon and if your lungs still have oxygen then you can keep going and things will get brighter. The sun sets and the sun rises no matter what. “Never stop trying. Do not give up.”

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them.

This so hard for me to answer because there are a few people I’d like a private breakfast with. However, I would love to have a private lunch with Jay Z. I am very business minded and he is such a role model for me. He’s a mogul and one of all-time best entertainers. I know my life would change completely just from hearing him drop some gems on me. I would absorb everything he told me and sprint to the moon and beyond.

How can our readers follow you online?

I can be found on all social media platforms @rawlemusic. I also have a website which leads to everything about me and my platforms www.rawlemusic.com. Or they can also just google Rawle Music and information will pop up about me.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!