INTERVIEW: Genre-Bending Hip-hop Artist Navé (Lovemaxwelll)

From Atlanta with a big heart for California, Navé (Lovemaxwelll) found his growth and passion really be able to come into fruition when he moved to NY. He started as a poet and used that grounding to really find himself as a writer and then tackle things as a M.C. He studied M.C’s to find the creativity of flows and improve. And from his love of music as a kid with his dad, he continued until he could never stop wanting to share my words.

1.Can you tell us a bit about how you got started and where you come from?

Navé: It really all starts with my father and growing up in Atlanta. Just riding in the car with him all the time and just loving everything he played in the speakers. Which was mostly oldies. The classics from the 80s and back.

2. Who were your first and strongest musical influences that you can remember?

Navé: You can say my biggest influence is to be original and always creating a vibe. And growing up with my dad. I learned about Funk. And just loved the style. Then when I started getting into rap, I was attracted to songs who sampled classic funk bass lines. And who came and approached the rap game different and unique. Like a lot of west coast rap/hip-hop and southern rap and hip hop. Too many people come to mind though to give names.

3. If I was to turn on your media player right now, which artists/songs would I see on your recently played list?

Navé: Right Now, Lil Wayne, J Cole, Ice Cube, Tribe called Quest, Nas , Outkast, 50 cent. When I listen to music, it’s like class, so I’ll go through a whole era in a day, finding flows and ideas, and digging to really work on my craft.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners?

Navé: Energy is everything to me. I always want my music to feel good. So even though I pride myself on my lyrics and content. KEY element would be the vibe always.

5. Could you tell us something about your latest project?

Navé: My newest project Fragments, out of all my projects is definitely very unexpected sound wise. No one not even myself thought this was going to be how my first project would be like. So different, futuristic, such energy. My props go to my producer Jon Blok for the creative push to make this different. He really saw my many different abilities as a rapper and did his best to pull them all out.

6. When putting together a song, do you usually start with the beat first, or do come up with a narrative first?

Navé: A lot of times my producer just throws on a beat and I will just go off my head and we’d dissect that. And build back on what I freestyled. But a lot of times my producer sends me the beat and I’ll figure out the concept and write it then. However the song talks to me my response just has to find that same frequency no matter what the sound.

7. Do you ever write a song with current musical trends, formulas or listener satisfaction in mind, or do you simply write what comes from your heart?

Navé: I simply write what comes from the heart. This project definitely shows that because it is COMPLETELY not following the trends of music now.

8. What is your process when writing, recording and producing your music? Do you collaborate with others or outsource any of these tasks?

Navé: My favorite part of music, is experiencing it with others. The best songs ever came with collabing and being with that artist or producer. And everyone being on the same wavelength. Feeding off each other. And that is the only way I really prefer to do things. Like I said before it’s all about the energy.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your career or life so far, and how did you overcome the event?

Navé: Oh wow, well I guess you can say moving from Atlanta to New York. I didn’t know anyone or anything. I did the old school thing and just picked up and moved to follow dreams. And here we are. Many many other tough things I had to endure. But I guess that was a huge event for me.

10. What would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your career so far?

Navé: Simple, finally releasing my first project and getting this snowball effect going. Because I have so much more to give.

11. What is the best piece of advice regarding the music business that you actually followed so far, and what is the advice you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?

Navé: On what I regret not doing. I’m not sure I really have an answer for that. But the best advice ever is to never stop. And there is no such thing as too late. Following your passions and working hard for yourself and dreams. Makes life hard as hell but the most rewarding. Because no matter what it’s for you.

12. How do you handle criticism, haters and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

Navé: It is very simple to me. I believe in myself and intentions. So if you hate me or don’t believe in me. Then have fun doing that m, it will never stop what I have going on. So I don’t have time to give it attention. Unless they want to pay me for it. Besides that, its negativity, and negativity can always take the back seat. Matter fact, it can just get the hell out the car. I’m driving and pushing forward without it.

13. Which aspects of being an independent artist excites you most and which aspects discourages you most?

Navé: Indie life is hard, and is gonna stay hard until it all ends. But it is the most rewarding if done right. The hard journey is nerve racking, but I love adventure. So there’s no discouragement just a good amount of anxious anticipation.

14. What is your relationship with visual media? Do you think videos are important for your music, and do have a specific video clip you would like to recommend that fans watch to find out more about your craft?

Navé: I love visuals and am big when it comes to imagery. I love having a video with my favorite songs. And I don’t have any yet for my own music. But get ready, because I have amazing things coming.

15. In general, do you consider music and social media platforms as fundamental in building a career in music today, and what is your personal relationship with the new technology at hand?

Navé: I think it is one of the biggest ways if not the biggest. Nowadays. Social media has proved to be the biggest platform to reach people. I teach myself everyday better ways to use this new tool. I’m not great at it yet but I’m working on it.

16. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style?

Navé: I listen and find inspiration in so many different types of music. Inside me is a crazy melting pot of everything. Then I play the mad scientist and play with all my ideas and inspiration and piece together all these different things until they make one single amazing sound itself. And my originality is the product of using my unique mind to piece together everything brewing in me.

17. Creative work in studio environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two do you ultimately prefer and why?

Navé: Such a great question. I love people, and when I see someone enjoying my music, it is the greatest feeling. But nothing beats being in the studio and having that creative release with friends and your fellow artist. Collabing and feeding off each other’s passion and energy. There’s something about it, that feels so good.

18. Do you have a personal favorite track in your catalog that has a specific backstory and/or message and meaning very dear to you?

Navé: “Carousel” on my new project Fragments. Was one of the craziest studio experiences for me, ever. We did that song in 1 take. And I had never heard the beat before. My producer just told me to put the headphones on and just go. He pushed play and I started free-styling and just playing with this weird beat. And what you hear is the product of just pure energy and talent. To me it was like driving home blind and only getting there safely off energy.

19. What do you find most rewarding about what you do?

Navé: Being able to release my passions. And share my words.

20. Do you have a specific vision or goal that you would like to achieve in 2020?

Navé: To keep up with the pace I’m moving in. I have 3 more projects releasing before June. And I don’t want to slow down. But also keep introducing the many sides of me. And I hope I can accomplish that and gain some fans on the way.

Connect with Navé on INSTAGRAM and his MUSIC STREAMS