BY TARA ALEXANDER

Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee; Ian Wharton who goes by the stage name “Soulfully, Me” has seen a lot of negative things around him. Needless to say, it didn’t take his spirits or his voice away. Being a younger sibling of music he had no idea that this would someday become a reality for him as well.  A young man whose currently pursuing colligate studies in Biology as a sophomore in Richmond, Virginia while chasing his dreams of making a change in music welcomes you in to understand his soul. His debut project, Confessions of a College Kid – which is currently promoted solely by him, gives reassuring hope and proof to fans of music that real music still lives among a society that seems to have gone totally commercial.  

Full Blast Magazine: Where did “Soulfully, Me” come from?

Soulfully, Me: Jan 20, 2010 I wanted it to be something creative and it just came to me one night, it just popped in my head.

FBM: What type of music is hot out there in the D-M-V area right now, other than you?

Soulfully, Me: To be honest, the Richmond area doesn’t have, well they have a different Hip-Hop scene. There’s a good scene up in the D.C area, but all in all it’s a good place.

FBM: Who have been some of your musical influences?

Soulfully, Me: Well I’m only 21 years old, so a lot of the 90’s cats I had to go back and listen to them. I definitely listened to Jay-Z, Kanye, Naz, and Talib. The artist I really got with from the beginning till now is Kanye. I listened to 2Pac and Biggie. One of the artists I love right now is Kid Cudi.

FBM: Who out there in the music industry today do you feel is making a difference right now?

Soulfully, Me: I feel like everyone is making a difference. I feel like everyone’s music has a place, like when they say ‘so and so is killing Hip Hop,’ I don’t really feel that because everyone’s expression has a place. It might not be popular with that quote unquote Hip Hop heads but I feel like everyone has the right you know to make music. Music is one of the greatest things that we can do. I feel everyone is making a difference whether it is good or bad. A lot of people come down on Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane or Waka Flocka. I figure you think about it, if they weren’t around, what would you play in the clubs? Everybody can’t be conscious; it has to be that balance. If everyone was conscious yeah it would be cool, but it wouldn’t be anything to shake everything up.

FBM: When did you begin work on Confessions of a College Kid?

Soulfully, Me: Last January I started hitting my stride and went into Confessions of a College Kid.

FBM: How did you come up with the title and concept for Confessions of a College Kid? Where did it come from?

Soulfully, Me: Well not too many people know this but the first title was called Taking You Higher. It was right when I started. It wasn’t till early spring that I switched it. I said hey I’m in college, I thought it would appeal to people more with the college thing. A lot of people in college are doing music as well, so I thought I might as well try it. I decided to play off the word “confessions” that’s why I split it up in acts, because I wanted it to feel like its confessional. That’s the concept I wanted to play off of, even with the artwork, which was actually was done at my school. That’s pretty much what I was trying to play off of. Before you listen to the music I wanted everything to bring you in, from the artwork, to the title including the track listings. I wanted to draw people in first and then when you get to the music, so they’re like ‘Wow wow… okay!’ I wanted everything to be on the same level. You know you can’t have great artwork, then have terrible music or vice versa. So I just really wanted everything to be on the same level when it came to that.

FBM: Listening to your album, Confessions of a College Kid I noticed live instruments in the background. Did you have live bands recording on the project?

Soulfully, Me: Some of them may have been recorded live and added a little twist with it. A lot of the beats are from a guy in D.C. named Odyssey. I like his beats, his music fits me. When I first heard him; I was like wow this is perfect.

FBM: Do you sometimes find yourself being compared to B.O.B., Talib Kweli, or Lupe Fiasco when you’re doing shows or performing?

Soulfully, Me: I think every artist has their share of comparison; I’ve had my share definitely. I get Lupe, J. Cole, and Kid Cudi. People actually say I look like Kid Cudi. It kind of discouraged me a little bit at first, because I’m my own artist. But when I thought about it, I’m like well music isn’t started by you. So I have a bit of different artists in me. So everyone has different influences in them from all ages and all genres of music.

FBM: Would you consider yourself to be more freestyle or consolidated as a recording artist?

Soulfully, Me: Well I think I’m a good mixture of both. I won’t say that I’m the best freestyler, but I do like to take the time to write my stuff down. At this point, at this stage I just feel like that’s the best way for me to get out everything I need to say. Now don’t get me wrong I can definitely freestyle, but I think that’s a part of my game that I can definitely get better at. I’ll say it in this sense; if I’m going to pursue to be a great artist then I have to perfect my craft.

FBM: I was listening to your freestyle cover up of “Diamonds” how did you come up with that?

Soulfully, Me: Well I was trying to come up with a way to come across to the public and in this game you have to stay relevant. So I was like let me think of something to put out to these broads and what not. My friend and I was riding and listening to the Late Registration album (by Kanye West). I guess it was just one of those days; I was just vibing to it. I went home and played it again, I said you know what I’m going to go ahead and write to this. It was kind of stressful though because that’s a classic it’s either a hit or miss, there’s no in between. When you go over those instruments you have to come with it. I was like well I hope they like it. I feel it shows my growth and talent in that area.

FBM: What are some of your personal goals that you hope to achieve in the music industry?

Soulfully, Me: 2011 I really want this to be a big year. I’m releasing some videos for Confessions of a College Kid and I think that would be (some new projects). I really want to step my game up with the new album coming out. I would love to get a deal this year, but I realized everything happens for a reason, so it will come when it come. Hopefully it’s before I graduate.

For more on Soulfully, Me check him out on Bandcamp.