Meet The Artist: Tristan Grant

Name: Tristan Grant aka Wolf Castle

City: Pabineau First Nation

Genre: Hip hop

Been rapping since 16. I didn’t even know how to make music or write or do anything, I just had drive. I was inspired by people like 2pac and Mac Miller to build something from nothing and make my vision come true. From the rez to a big stage, ya boi gonna make waves and change the world 👏🌊#wolfcastle #rap #hiphop #rapper #golden

A post shared by Wolf Castle 🐺🏰 (@realwolfcastle) on Apr 16, 2018 at 12:00pm PDT

A bit about myself:

I’m a Mi’kmaq rapper, producer and singer. I’ve been making music since I was 11 or 12 years old but only started taking it seriously when I was 16. Besides music, I always loved performing. It didn’t matter if it was a school play, being funny in class or presenting for Science Fair — something in me was attracted to performing in front of crowds. When I saw artists like Mac Miller rise up independently and make a name for themselves, I was inspired to do the same. I decided at 16 I would work towards becoming a professional rapper.

I’m a self-taught musician. I first learned to play piano by watching people’s hands in Youtube videos. It took years and years of that before I was even close to being a competent composer. I didn’t know anybody who made beats or rapped, so I just followed the example set by Tyler, the Creator and Mac Miller, and made my own beats instead of waiting to find producers. I never had a musical childhood; it was around, but I was too busy playing with Lego. I literally had no skill in music at all. The only reason I got this far was because of the years of constant practice.

Influences:

Tyler, The Creator, Mac Miller, Oh Hyuk, Koji Kondo, Kanye West, Wu-Tang Clan, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, *NSYNC. And literally every ’90s pop act.

The first album I bought:

Watching Movies with the Sound Off by Mac Miller

The first concert I went to:

Legit, it was Mariana’s Trench. Saw them perform in Halifax last year.

The last concert I went to:

Shift from tha 902

The last song I listened to:

Cudi Montage by Kids See Ghosts

My favourite song of all time:

I Want You Back by *NSYNC

The one song I wish I’d written: 

Pick Up The Phone by Young Thug and Travis Scott (ft. Quavo).

My dream gig:

A sold out show at Madison Square Garden.

Myself in three words:

Positive. Ambitious. Persistent.

Best piece of advice I’ve ever received:

“Don’t overthink it, just do it.” Given to me by my Uncle Raymond.

Beatles or Rolling Stones:

If I had to choose, it would be Beatles.

What I do to pay the bills:

Currently working in the basement of a heritage museum doing genealogy research.

When I’m not making music, I’m …

Writing stories, drawing, skateboarding, reading, and honestly playing way too much Tetris.

Something people would be surprised to learn about me:

I spent four years at Mount Allison University studying Theatre Arts. I just graduated this year with a Bachelor of Arts.

What I’m currently working on: 

My second album under Wolf Castle, titled Rezurbia (editor’s note: watch for it this August!). It’s about my life growing up on the Rez as well as my life currently. Still living there and loving it.

If my life were a song, the title would be …

Cruise Control

Wolf Castle’s first single from his forthcoming album is now available on Spotify and other streaming services. For release details, follow him on Instagram and Facebook. 

(218)