Today we’d like to introduce you to Solomon Thomas.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Solomon. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always been an avid lover of music. When I was a kid, I was always humming things around the house and not really knowing what I was doing. I took piano lessons as a child, which definitely helped spur my abilities musically. But when I got to high school, me playing music disappeared and my creative energy and time went to my pursuit of athletics. So for about 3 and 1/2 years, I didn’t touch the piano or anything of that nature. I kinda stopped cold. But during those years, I consumed music more than any point in my life at that point.
Going into high school coming from being homeschooled till the 8th Grade was awkward, so you can imagine how that went! Music was always my best friend but during this time, it got super close to me. Hip Hop, Pop, R&B were genres that grabbed me sonically at the time. A lot of Drake, G Herbo, Bryson Tiller, Travis, and, of course, Ye. I found myself so in love with what my ears were hearing that oftentimes I would run a song back like ten times before it could reach the chorus because I loved the feeling that those opening moments brought.
So here I am, a senior in high school, not sure about what he wanted to do in life. I was actually very down emotionally during this time because people around me seemed so certain about there plans after, and I wasn’t. But I did know one thing. I did not want to live my life doing something I didn’t love. I have always been creative and very vocal about running my own business, even as a child. I even attempted to start making games but, the programming was not for me!
And one day I was on YouTube trying to find new music and I stumbled across videos of producers like Southside, Zaytoven, Nick Mira making beats. I knew there were people behind the making of the music that I loved, but I kind of always saw it as something incredibly hard to do. But when I saw these guys, and how young they were and how they were making the vibes that can carry you through the day, that’s when it kind of clicked for me. This was something that I truly loved and God willing was something I could make a living off of. So from there, I dove headfirst with the idea that “This is what I’m going to do. I’m going to be a producer”. That thought kind of solidified when I had the opportunity to make a beat for a senior class video (it was shown to the whole school). I had just started making beats at the time, and when my part came on, folks started riding to it. I thought to myself “Well, at least I know I’m not trash” and that gave me some confidence to really get better.
Now, I am just taking things day by day, trying to create better music everyday, and I still have faith that I will be apart of something great soon. Check out my latest releases!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not really to be honest. And this is not due to outside factors, but internal ones. I know I (and many other creatives) struggle with heavy self-doubt. Some days I feel like I can really get to where I want to be one day, others I feel like I have wasted my time. So you know, you just have to remember the reason why you started creating. Some people won’t see what your chasing as worthwhile, some wont take it seriously. Sometimes that person is you. I can get discouraged by looking at others my age (or younger) who have accomplished way more than I have, and you think, “Am I really good enough to do this”? Uncertainty in things freaks most human beings out, and I have been learning to deal with it. But at the end of the day, I keep creating. Because it is the action that brings me the most and purest joy in my life and that itself is enough.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a Producer. My job as I see it is to create a world for an artist to live in, and create an experience for a listener to enjoy. At this time, since I am relatively new to this, I don’t believe I am known for anything yet, but I do try to achieve a soulful feeling in any of my creations. I am most proud of my ability to keep going. Whether it’s a drum sound I can’t find or a chord progression I am trying to work out, I am not going to quit until I get it to where my ear is happy with it. I have a very vast collection of influences, so when I’m just making beats, none of them really sound exactly the same. I am still trying to find “my sound.”
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Faith. Perseverance. Humility. Hunger to learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://taplink.cc/ask4wisdm
- Email: ask4wisdm@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ask4wisdm/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ask4wisdm
Image Credit:
Elias Moment
Israel Perez
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
