PREMIERE: Waguan + IceyGhosts - Blang (Single) + 10 Questions

Presenting a sonic escape from reality, New Zealand-based rapper Waguan and maverick production duo IceyGhosts announce their forthcoming full-body collaboration ‘Happy Place’. Giving a first glimpse into their musical musings, the debut single ‘Blang’ is out now on BB Music Group.

Demonstrating their innate musical talents with a masterful first offering, ‘Blang’ sets the stage for their collaborative project. Juxtaposing glistening vocal snippets with darker lyrics, ‘Blang’ achieves the perfect balance between IceyGhosts heavy set production style and Waguan’s mesmerising songwriting style. Speaking about the first single, Waguan said, “it’s very very very dark and twisted when you listen to the lyrics in detail. You’ll find it is evident that I am rapping about being trapped, feeling like my light is being snuffed out, and how much it hurts when you feel like it’s your job to spread that light, but can’t.” – Waguan.

Driving over eight hours to work together during New Zealand’s first COVID lockdown, Waguan travelled from his home in Wellington to Auckland city, where IceyGhost were based during the pandemic. Tuning out the world and channeling all their energy into the studio, they pushed their boundaries and discovered new sonic territories.

Waguan + IceyGhosts sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

Waguan: My love for music in general sparked in my household. In every Zimbabwean household there will no doubt be gospel music playing in the background whilst we did our chores every morning. My parents would always be singing and encouraging us to learn the traditional songs. The day I stopped fighting it and started to participate was the day I caught my first “vibe”, since then every activity I did needed a soundtrack! Music has this mafia all way of adding narration and flavour to whatever it is you do and since that day I’ve been obsessed with flavouring EVERYTHING!

IceyGhosts: We both come from different countries and backgrounds, so I guess we’ve been influenced a lot by our upbringing and travelling the world. Being in other countries at some of the most amazing festivals definitely made me want to pursue music full time.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

Waguan: Well if I’m gonna go all out here I would have to say, Kanye West and Earthgang. Whenever I produce I always think about the principles of beauty and harmony that Kanye adheres to and when it comes to my lyrics content and influence as a rapper Earthgang baby! To get in a room with either of the two musical entities would be a dream, I have so much to ask them!

IceyGhosts: So many influences. We’ve been working on some crazy albums this year with WAGUAN, Nauti, Le0ne and Mo Muse, just to name a few, and every single one of them bring a different influence into the studio. Looking forward to everyone hearing these projects and checking out these incredible artists

3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?

Waguan: Being alone in the studio hurts my soul, and not being able to go outside cut me off from drawing inspiration from my friends and nature and stuff, which reeeeeally kills a tree hugger like myself.

IceyGhosts: Damn man this whole thing sucks, where do we start! 😂 The worst part probably would be when we went to LA last year when Covid first hit and all our flights got cancelled and when we tried to get back to New Zealand they weren’t letting non-citizens back into the country, so we had to split ways there!

4. How would you describe your sound?

Waguan: I would describe my sound as a superhero anthem for the modern day youth that wants to think a little bit deeper than they are expected to.

IceyGhosts: I don’t necessarily think we stick to a sound - we try to bring the artist's ideas and dreams and figure out what we’re trying to achieve. Definitely not type-beat producers 🤣 the shit I love to make though will always be something a bit dark and twisted that’s very bass driven.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Waguan: My proudest moment to date would be becoming a Redbull artist and performing a 64 bars, and also getting to perform at their headquarters for all the Redbull folks, they really appreciate good music and to be acknowledged by such a big entity was mind blowing for a diaspora child like myself.

IceyGhosts: Proudest moment to date would probably have to be opening up a studio with homies and being able to do music full time. That has always been the dream first of all!

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Waguan: To find out who you are, before opening your mouth. If you don’t, you might not ever get the chance.

IceyGhosts: Keep grinding , trust the process, as cliche as that sounds, if you’re made for this you just know, you gotta be stubborn and persistent as hell!

7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?

Waguan: Beam, he should be at the top of every chart and on every stage, he is the vocal range genius of our generation.

Another would be Mo Muse, a local from here in NZ - he is leading the charge lyrically with punchlines that give you God shivers, one of my big bros in the industry.

IceyGhosts: For sure, the team from New Zealand. Nauti, Mo Muse, Jess B and whole BLKCITY squad. So many talented artists out here and of course our boy Waguan. We also got a project underway with a young guy from the UK Le0ne, this kid is no joke! Can’t wait for all this music to come out man, it’s exciting.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Waguan: Donda without a doubt, Fivio Foreign’s verse on Off The Grid is now my gym mantra.

Another album which is an oldie is Drake's Scary Hours, I like the way he sits in his greatness and doesn’t apologise for it, I’m looking to do the same.

IceyGhosts: To be honest with you we’ve been deep in album mode pretty much all year so I personally haven’t been listening to much music. Always peeping the game though and listening out for inspiration.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

Waguan: I'm a university student/ family man outside of making music, so I’ll be studying music or working in my mom's garden.

IceyGhosts: On the rare occasion that we’re not in the studio 🤣 we both like to surf, go skating and being outdoors. Hella excited for this summer!

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Waguan: Notebook, water bottles, lavender oil.

IceyGhosts: Water, Fruits, The loudest pack possible.

Photo Credit: Tom Grutt