GRAMMY PREVIEW Q&A: BRENT FAIYAZ

You’ve been nominated for a Grammy previously. What does that recognition mean to you? Do you value it more as a leader of the independent sector?
I used to look at awards as an individual sport. So on a personal level, it didn’t mean much to me. I thought, People recognize me every day and say they love the music, so what difference would an award make? But that was ignorance. The work my team put into this is so much greater than any personal desire for acknowledgement. A community of people dedicated their lives and worked endlessly to make this album special. It’s so much bigger than me, and I want the world to stop and see what we did—independently.

How have you grown as an artist from the Sonder days to Wasteland?
Musically I’ve just been studying the craft. Asking questions. Listening. Practicing. Learning. Applying.

After the accolades and success of Wasteland, what inspires you now?
At this point I’m just getting started.

What did you listen to growing up? What acts influenced you the most?
I wanna push boundaries. Try new things. Inspire. Spark conversation and dialogue. Create art that’ll eventually change the way people think and communicate with one another. I wanna assist in the evolution not only of music but of people. I’m inspired by the people.

Do you have a favorite Grammy moment?
2Pac, Lauryn Hill, Jimi Hendrix, Sade, Drake, Jay-Z, Bob Marley, Prince, Sting… the list goes on.