Joshua Raw
With growing popularity from Tik Tok, Joshua Raw is a new face in the rap community. Charlotte native, Joshua Raw has quite a way with words, and creative new beats that bring something new to the alternative rap genre.
With lines like “I’m just tryna surf, not like Hawaii but a crowd” from quick tempo “Blowing Steam” to “I wish I was with ya/Kissin’, that’s a tongue twister” in “Puppy” with Max Leonard, Joshua really shows off his versatility across the genre. Currently with just under 83,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, I see a bright future for this highly underrated artist and am excited to see what is coming next from him.
It is very clear that this talented artist has a diverse taste in music of his own. On his Instagram, with just under 2,000 followers, he has demonstrated his presence at several live shows. Ranging from artists such as Aminé and Tyler, The Creator to Lizzy Mcalpine and up and boy band WESTON ESTATE, Joshua is engaged in several parts of the music industry even when he isn’t making his own music. His creative lyrics are written and recorded from his own bedroom, but reach listeners around the world, with his current top listening cities being London, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas. In the coming year, I hope to see this expand across the globe with some new killer tracks.
Below is the inside scoop on all things Joshua Raw, in his own words:
GRRRL Music: How would you introduce yourself to new listeners, or people who don’t know you as well yet? What’s your story, and what should everyone know about Joshua Raw?
Photo Credit: Provided By Artist
Joshua Raw: Joshua Raw is the future of alternative rap. Just a college kid in his bedroom that thinks he can rap better than your boyfriends favorite artist. I love making hip-hop music and love the genre as a whole 10x more.
GM: What do you see coming next for you? Is there anything in the works? What should fans be looking forward to?
JR: As of right now I’m dropping a handful of fun rap singles to get the blood pumping but in the not so distant future expect a more serious, conceptual project. It’s in the works.
GM: You are a lyrical genius— every line is so creative and sounds very intentional, and it hits me every time one of your songs comes on! Do you have a creative process? What inspires you?
JR: I’m not the most vocally gifted so I try to keep my lyrics interesting and unorthodox at times. As far as creative process goes I usually start out by mumbling out the flow of my tracks, then I find the lyrics and subject matter as I go. I’m a big fan of winging it and just letting the song find me instead of forcing anything. I personally love when artists use witty word play or clever phrasing so I try my best to include this in my own work.
GM: On your Instagram, you have a whole highlight for concerts you’ve been to, and there are a ton of different artists on there! I saw artists ranging from Tyler, The Creator to Lizzy McAlpine, how would you describe your music taste? As an artist, would you say your personal music taste stays out of your own work, or do you use certain artists as inspiration? What’s the best concert you’ve been to?
JR: I definitely indulge in music within the realm of the type of stuff I make but most of the time I listen to artists that differ from my style. I really like trap, bedroom pop, indie and folk to name a few. Since I’m not a huge singer I mostly incorporate the sonic elements into my beat selection when I sometimes collab with my friends to produce the beats I use. I also really gravitate to artists like Lizzy and Quinnies penmanship. My favorite concerts I’ve been to is probably tied with my friend Greek and Lizzy McAlpine.
GM: Beyond being a musical artist, you have impeccable style and tasteful creative visions. Do you have any other inspirations, opinions, experiences, interests, etc. that have contributed to this?
JR: Majority of my clothes are thrifted so that might be a catalyst for my grandpa/dated looking outfits. But who doesn’t like a good grandpa sweater anyway. Despite being pretty frugal when it comes to clothes I am really into fashion, more specifically 70s men’s fashion. Music is my second love, the first being art and 2d animation, which I still practice and indulge in from time to time. I also really love movies; i wouldn’t call myself a movie buff by any means but I think I have pretty good taste.
GM: Do you enjoy collaborating with other artists? We’ve seen you work with Max Leonard and jev. before, is there anyone else you are looking to work with in the future?
JR: I listen to a wide variety of music and there's so many elements of different genres that I want to include in my own work. It’s difficult for me to just stay in one lane; I’m still finding my sound. I love collaborating with other artists, I have a million songs with Max Leonard and Garrett Sparrow. I just also worked on a couple of demos with Frank Sativa, who’s having a crazy run right now. I would like to work with other rappers though, like Mavi, Diz, Wiseboy Jeremy or JIMMY to name a few. I love freestyling just for funzies but I prefer to write my lyrics to fully capitalize on having interesting fleshed out bars.
Interview & Article by: Zoe Lester