Forget everything you thought you knew about Waiian. You might remember Waiian for his off-kilter rhymes and cartoonish bravado. But with the release of his third studio album BACKSHOTS? It's a different beast entirely. Sure, the trademark quirkiness is still there, like a mischievous grin peeking out from behind in his album cover. But underneath the playful surface, a mature, almost unsettlingly self-aware artist is emerging.
"I think right now, in 2025, Waiian is gonna be unapologetically him," he proclaims, a statement that lands with the force of a well-placed backhand or a BACKSHOTS if you may. And he's not wrong. The nine-track is a masterclass in controlled chaos, a tightrope walk between the absurd and the profound. It's the sound of an artist who's finally found his voice that's both hilarious and mature. "My writing has shaped to completely suit my personality outside of music," he reveals. "So when I do enter the studio for work, I will spend time writing with intent, but it will feel like I’m just talking." This raw, unfiltered approach is what makes BACKSHOTS so compelling. It's like eavesdropping on a late-night conversation with a brilliant, slightly unhinged friend.
It's Lods!
Don't let the goofy facade fool you. This album is for the grown-ups. It's for the ones who've seen real shit, but refuse to be tied to it. It's for those who understand that humor and darkness can coexist, that the most profound bars are often found in the most chaotic scenarios.
"Working with different producers will always pull new energy from me, but what will make the song sound 'Waiian' is the wit of my writing, whether it would be about love, my struggles, my experiences being a lodi, money, hardcore lyrical assassin rap shit, or family matters," Waiian, reflecting on his artistic evolution.
" [It's the] fastest album I’ve made in my life, it only took me Kashira and PISTOLGRIP 3months to finish it," he said. "My target was to craft it honest and fun. I loved every single session we had. Every time we laid down a great idea it felt like how cavemen felt when they first discovered fire. this album was made to make you think “wtf, this guy’s different.” And it's true, there's no artist in the scene right now who would kick off an album like he does with the enigmatic "August 27." His wit is comedy gold, a twisted, brilliant brand of humor.
The album's sonic rollercoaster doesn't stop there. Track opener, “MALAKING BIRD,” is a masterclass in lyrical dexterity, nailing both humor and social commentary. “MAN IN THE MERROR” dives deep into the artist's mentality much like a raw confession. "MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES" is an undeniable earworm, a certified banger that's destined for repeat plays. But it's "SI LODS NA BAHALA" that truly hits home, a deeply personal narrative of family and friendship, delivered with a mature yet profoundly humorous touch. It's this blend of raw honesty and comedic brilliance that makes Waiian, lods.
Ayan na si....WAIIAN
Taking his own "MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES" to heart, Waiian embraces a uniquely positive, if characteristically quirky, approach to self-motivation. "No one’s like me. Only I can produce the songs I write. The economy of the country will plummet if I quit writing music," he deadpan delivered with bravado and self-aware absurdity. But beneath the playful hyperbole lies a genuine drive to create something singular.
"I’m only responsible for my own legacy," he continues, "I’ll show these kids they don’t have to conform. They can build their own path from learning from people who also made their own." This isn't just about music; it's about forging a unique identity in a scene that often favors conformity. And Waiian, in his own inimitable way, is doing just that.
"I don’t see myself with the same line up of rappers every month," he said. "I feel like an avatar being able to hop from different scenes of music, art & passions. I’m not another rapper in the hip-hop world. With this, I get to see and experience different ways of life. It makes me have more compassion for others and be able to bring that back to the hiphop world."
Consider BACKSHOTS Waiian's coming-of-age, a sonic gut-punch of maturity laced with his signature, unsettling quirk. He's not just grown up; he's weaponized his evolution, turning hard-earned wisdom into a potent mix of raw honesty and off-kilter charm. He sums it up: "This guy went from dreamer, advice giver, vices in the liver to slightly bastos na sweet lover." And his final, unwavering decree? "Be different! Be authentic! Speak your truth!" The man's here.
