Sociology senior and rapper Eddie Wellz strikes a pose for the camera at the Tempe campus. Wellz has been working on his new mixtape "Keep Your Head Up" and will release it later this semester. (Photo by Shawn Raymundo)Local hip-hop artist Eddie Wellz, a 22-year-old sociology senior at ASU, recently announced he will be releasing his new mixtape "Keep Your Head Up," which will be available for free download on datpiff.com in late October.
"Keep Your Head Up" will be the follow-up to Wellz's debut mixtape, "Speed of Thought," which was released last July.
Wellz says his main goal with this new mixtape will be to show people that he is not your stereotypical rapper. Inspired by the likes of Lupe Fiasco and Ab-Soul, Wellz insists on making conscious, intelligent and articulate music rather than the "ratchet music" for which other rappers are known.
The majority of Wellz's musical inspiration comes from his personal life experiences.
Throughout his childhood, Wellz spent the majority of his time moving from city to city with his adopted family. Being raised in an adopted family and traveling around the country helped him "think outside the box" and accept different types of people, which he said he applies to his music.
Out of everything Wellz has experienced in his life, he credits his time at ASU for helping him reach new levels as an artist.
"I didn't start rapping seriously until my freshman year in college," Wellz said. "Being on my own at a big school opened my mind and helped me become more mature. Anyone who heard 'Speed of Thought' will see how I've grown as an artist on my new mixtape."
Melodically, "Keep your Head Up" will have a "laid back, smooth jazz feel" and will show his growth as an artist, Wellz said.
Many people Eddie worked with in the past have applauded him for his work ethic and have noticed his musical progression.
"When I first met Eddie, he didn't even want to be a rapper," said Chris Vaughn, a record producer and audio engineer for Warner Records. "Back then, he didn't realize he was that good. By the time we finished his first mixtape, he was already better than 99 percent of the artists I work with."
Larry Lynn, Wellz's manager and co-owner of Truminati Brand Clothing, was eager to share his experience working with Wellz.
"Eddie is one of the realest artists I've worked with," Lynn said. "I spend a lot of time and money on artists, and they wouldn't do anything to better themselves. Since I met him, he has become a better writer and a performer."
Wellz has performed numerous shows around the Valley since the beginning of his rap career but decided to take a hiatus to focus on finishing "Keep Your Head Up."
Wellz will be taking the stage Sunday, Sept. 22, at Joe's Grotto in downtown Phoenix on the Northeast corner of 32nd Street and Thunderbird Road. The show will be hosted by Phoenix rapper Cut Throat Logic and is presented by The Underground Railroad.
Upon graduating from ASU, Wellz plans on touring his music. He also wants to help his community by working with adopted children who have had similar experiences as him.
Until his graduation in May 2014, Wellz plans on building and connecting with his ASU fan base.
"With Eddie, I can tell I'm not wasting my time," Lynn said. "He really wants to change the world through his music."
Reach the reporter at cmgaray@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @ghost1effect
