Interview with Baltimore Ravens Anthem Rapper Da Kid Gowie

To me, one of the most rewarding parts of being a journalist is being able to conduct interviews. They allow you to get personal with your subject and see what really makes them tick as a person. And this week, I was able to do exactly that, when I interviewed Wendell Gowie. Gowie, known as, “Da Kid Gowie” is a native of Baltimore, and a rapper most known for his song, “Baltimore Ravens Anthem” (Purple & Black).

KT: How did you come up with your stage name, Da Kid Gowie? And does it have a particular meaning?

WG: The meaning isn’t really deep. Gowie is my last name. “Da Kid” comes from my childish ways. I’m 23 years old, but I’m such a kid at heart. I still watch cartoons. I’m a full-time goofball. I play video games from time to time, and the list goes on.

KT: Are you a Ravens fan? If so, why? And who are your favorite player(s)?

WG: Been a Ravens fan since I started watching football as a child. In fact, my first NFL jersey I owned was a Ravens Vinny Testaverde jersey. My favorite Ravens player is and has been ever since he entered the league, Terrell Suggs. Aside from the Testaverde jersey, every Ravens jersey I’ve owned after that has been Sizzle’s. While everyone favorited Reed and Lewis, Suggs was my guy. His personality is what drew me to him. He’s goofy like myself, but when it’s time to play, he’s engaged and looking to take you out. That’s how I see myself. I’m all fun and games, but when it’s time to handle business, beware!

KT: What do you think the overall outcome will be for the Ravens this season? Do you think they will win the Super Bowl or at least make it to the playoffs?

WG: No doubt in my mind, the Ravens will make the playoffs. That’s Ravens football. I predict they will end the season with no less than 10 wins and will reach the AFC Championship. If the secondary plays at their full potential, they’ll advance to the Super Bowl. If not, that’s where their journey will end.

KT: What inspired your song Baltimore Ravens Anthem (Purple and Black)?

It was football season, Ray Lewis already announced he’s retiring at the end of the season, and I knew an anthem would be perfect. There was a lot of energy during Ray’s last ride so I wanted to make the anthem more aggressive to get listeners amped.

WG: Honestly, as an aspiring musician, it’s very difficult to get people to listen because there are so many other musicians in the world trying to get heard as well. I sat around brainstorming, “What’s something I can create that would be appealing to my city?” It was football season, Ray Lewis already announced he’s retiring at the end of the season, and I knew an anthem would be perfect. There was a lot of energy during Ray’s last ride so I wanted to make the anthem more aggressive to get listeners amped. I asked my peers on Facebook if I should do an anthem, and they all approved.

KT: Was Purple and Black your first song to get any radio play? If so, how did it make you feel?

WG: Purple and Black was the first time I’ve gotten airplay on a FM station. I’ve had music aired on Internet radio stations, and my song “Miley Cyrus” aired on an AM station. This really meant a lot to me because I didn’t expect it to get as big as it did. Not only did it get airplay, but it was aired on 98Rock. The fact that a rock station aired my rap song and loved it, really made me happy. Definitely an experience I’ll never forget.

KT: In what ways, if any, did Baltimore as a city, including the Ravens and its affiliates, show you support for your song?

WG: Well, 98 Rock is one of the biggest stations in Baltimore, so that was the biggest support I received. Kelechi Osemele actually was the only Ravens player to acknowledge the anthem. He re-tweeted it on Twitter, which was huge to me. Shout out to K.O.! He always shows love. A few Baltimore blogs, including Ravens blogs shared the anthem. So the support was real!

KT: Do you think your song for the Ravens advanced your career as an artist in any way?

The thing about music is you never truly know who’s listening. You have the fans who reach out and acknowledge they enjoy your music, but you also have the silent followers, and those are usually the bigwigs.

WG: In a sense. I received a lot of attention when the anthem blew up. Attention from listeners, blogs, and I was even told by a manager of another rising artist that my name was brought up in a business meeting he attended. The thing about music is you never truly know who’s listening. You have the fans who reach out and acknowledge they enjoy your music, but you also have the silent followers, and those are usually the bigwigs. With that being said, it definitely helped me get a feel of what’s to come if I truly do decide to pursue a career in music. Some people fold when the attention’s on them. I’m looking to prove I deserve the attention.

KT: If you could work with any mainstream artist to do a remix of your song who would it be, and why?

WG: That’s tough. I have a list of artists I would love to work with someday, but if I had to choose one, it would be Wiz Khalifa. Think about it. Not only is he one of my biggest inspirations, but he blew up from Black and Yellow. I gained some buzz from Purple and Black. It would be awesome to sit down and work on a Steelers/Ravens rivalry remix. Nothing like that has been done before.

KT: As an artist, how important is it for you to have full creative control? And did you have that while working on the Ravens Anthem?

WG: Very important! As an artist, the one thing I never want is to be stripped of my creativity and forced to make music based on someone else’s ideas. That takes the “art” out of being an artist. A suggestion here and there is fine, but in the end, it’s my lyrics, my vision and my voice. While making Purple and Black, it was me, a laptop and a microphone locked in my bedroom. No producers, no managers, not even family. Just me. 97% of my music is made when I’m alone. So it’s safe to say that I have full control.

KT: Besides having the ability to make music, what is one other thing that you are talented at doing?

WG: As I mentioned before, I’m a full-time goofball. I’ve had my share of success with comedy. In fact, I’m more known for my comedy than I am for music. I’ve been featured on World Star Hip Hop 3 times, I have a few viral YouTube videos, Vines and memes. I just love to entertain. Even if all fails in life and I’m just another person working a boring 9 to 5, I will never give up entertaining. It’s my life!

KT: Who do you believe are your biggest supporters and why?

WG: Honestly, my biggest supporters are my mom and dad. It’s weird because when I started rapping, I thought my parents would disapprove some of the content I rap about, but they love it. My mom would like me to clean up my language a bit, sorry mom, but other than that I guess they approve because I’m staying true to myself. You will never hear a hardcore or gangster record from me because that’s not me. I only rap about my life. Some of these rappers lose themselves in their lyrics. Never paint a picture you can’t decode.

Clearly, Da Kid Gowie is a bright kid with a promising future ahead of him in whatever path he chooses to follow. Let’s hope that he continues to follow his passion for music because it would be amazing to hear a Steelers/Ravens rivalry remix.