The reign, regiments & mystic styles of WesdaRuler
Athens, Georgia artist WesdaRuler — aka Wesley Johnson — released one of the greatest slept on records of 2019 that you have yet to hear with the opus Ocean Drive. An album that recalls the realness and rawness that resembles conscious aspects of the Backwoodz Studioz repertoire, the west coast experimentation of Tyler, the Creator and cohorts; Ocean Drive is a record ahead of it's time. Wes saw the tides and trends turning toward unprecedented circumstances with the eerily clairvoyant cut "Stay at Home", the subdued creative inspirations of "Let da Music Play", the deep moods and mentally driving modes of "Butterfly", the personal trajectories of "Get ur Ass in the Car", the heady vibrations of "Life Life", elevating jazz trio stylistics into the new-new grooves of hedonism and desire with "Lose it 4 Tonite" and "Wannado". The title track is an instrumental that is the best jam that Dām-Funk never made, that joins the illustrious ensemble of interludes that are interspersed throughout the album. Presenting the following exclusive artist curation that is a year overdue — yet now more timely than ever — we proudly give you:
WesdaRuler’s Week in Pop
The king is in the building — WesdaRuler; press photo courtesy of the artist.
Mndsgn., Body Wash
The great Mndsgn. via Bandcamp.
I’ve been a huge Mndsgn (pronounced Mind Design) fan for years at this point. I pre-ordered “Body Wash” right before he went on tour. He was playing at the Drunken Unicorn in ATL the same day that I was set to receive the record in the mail. My plan was to meet him and get him to sign it after his set. Unfortunately, the record came the next day, haha. I also didn’t get to meet him that night. I did get to experience one of my favorite shows ever. I did eventually get to meet him a year later. Opened for him in ATL.
Kendrick Lamar, TPAB
Cover art from To Pimp a Butterfly.
I just remember being super impressed with how this record sounds. Hearing production by people like Flying Lotus and Knxwledge along with Dr. Dre and Pharell was just…..it was super dope. I’m also a big K Dot fan. The subject matter was very personal and emotional. He was crying and shit, and completely exposing his state of mind in the tracks. I loved it and wanted to make an album like that. It motivated me to start writing Ocean Drive.
Seeing Mr. Dibia$e play in ATL
The one and only legendary producer Dibia$e; via Bandcamp.
I got to catch Dibia$e play in Atlanta. Anyone who knows me knows that he is the GOAT in my eyes. This dude’s productions are just wild man. He also has this I make what I wanna make vibe that I really dig. He somehow carries that into his production without coming off rude or negative in any way. It just makes you respect him more. Even better, he was one of the most chill and laid back people I’ve ever spoken to. Seeing him play was a reminder to make the music I want to make.
I went back to school and saw a psychiatrist
The reign of WesdaRuler; press photo courtesy of the artist.
Mental health is the main theme of the album. While working on it, I decided to go back and finish my degree. It was something my mom always wanted me to do and since she was such a huge part of the record it felt like the time was right. I took a psychology class in an attempt to learn more about the mental health situation I was dealing with in my personal life. This led to me seeing a psychiatrist for the first time. I was diagnosed with depression. It was suggested that I keep a diary and put what I’m feeling to paper. It was very awkward to do at first. I started making beats based on what I was feeling that day and then would describe the beat. The description would be my diary post for the day. Three of these tracks and diary posts are on Ocean Drive. I also graduated from University of North Georgia!
The champion WesdaRuler; press photo courtesy of the artist.
90s Busta Rhymes live
The immortal & iconic Busta Rhymes; via Twitter.
I LOVE Busta yo. Especially 90s Busta, but homie has a respectfully long resume. I love to watch old performances on YouTube. Especially ones that happened when I was still a kid. There’s one stand out performance that I always go back to:
I love this set. It’s simple, but perfect. Flawed, but beautiful. They legit mess up on the first song, but it still BANGS. From the way he’s dressed to how he demands you attention, he is one of the best performers ever. It was fun and unique. It made me think a lot about how I wanted to present my project after release.
WesdaRuler’s Ocean Drive album is available now via Happy Happy Birthday to Me.