Behind The Beats with Willy Winarko

Summary

Willy shares his journey from being an average student who aspired to work in a bank to discovering his passion for the creative industry, particularly in hip hop and entertainment. He emphasizes the importance of exploring different interests to find one's passion, drawing inspiration from personal experiences like love, frustration, and growth. He encourages authenticity in creating music, advises against fearing criticism, and highlights the power of building a unique audience. Willy's first performance in a music venue made him realize his love for being a musician and creator.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Despite wanting to work in a bank, academic grades made it challenging for him to pursue that path.
• 🎤 He turned to the entertainment and creative industry, particularly rap and hip-hop, to build a career.
• 💡 Kanye West's phrase 'everything I'm not made me everything I am' inspired him to embrace what he couldn't do and focus on what he could.
• 🎶 Music, especially hip-hop, became his first love, and he started creating music from personal experiences like growing up, love, and frustration.
• 🎧 He emphasizes authenticity in music and believes that staying true to oneself is key to staying relevant.
• 🤝 He dreams of collaborating with other Indonesian musicians, such as Iwan Fals.
• 💪 He believes the challenge is not just being a media personality but building a genuine audience for one's work.
• 🔑 Creating authentic and heartfelt work is his primary focus, followed by considering who the audience will be.
• 🗣️ He views music as a two-way conversation between the artist and the listener, where both sides are engaged.
• 🎤 His first experience performing was in a small music cafe filled with musicians and rappers, which deeply influenced his passion for creating music.

Q & A

What was Willy's initial career aspiration during college?

Willy initially aspired to become an entrepreneur or businessman and even considered working at a bank.

Why did Willy not pursue a career in banking as he originally intended?

Willy's academic grades were not sufficient for a career in banking, which left him unsure of how to build a successful career.

How did Willy shift from his initial career aspirations to the entertainment industry?

Willy decided to explore the creative and entertainment industry, focusing on rap and hip-hop music, which he saw as a way to express himself and build a career despite his academic limitations.

What famous quote by Kanye West inspired Willy in his journey?

Willy was inspired by the Kanye West quote, 'Everything I'm not made me everything I am,' which helped him embrace his limitations and turn them into strengths.

What were some of Willy’s creative endeavors besides music?

In addition to making music, Willy has also been involved in radio broadcasting and content creation.

How does Willy describe his relationship with music?

Willy describes music as his 'first love' and something that has been a constant source of inspiration in his life.

What advice does Willy give for discovering one's passion?

Willy advises that if you're unsure about your passion, you should try everything and experiment until you find what resonates with you.

Where does Willy draw inspiration for his music?

Willy draws inspiration from his own life experiences, including feelings of frustration, love, and growing up, which he incorporates into his music.

What does Willy believe makes music relevant?

Willy believes that staying true to oneself and being authentic is key to making music relevant. He emphasizes the importance of knowing your own 'red thread' or central theme.

What challenge does Willy identify in the entertainment industry?

Willy sees the challenge as not just becoming a media personality, but building a dedicated audience who genuinely connects with and appreciates your work.