Photo: Sebastian Harrigan-Labarca
Today, The FADER is premiering a new project from D.C. DIY rap standout, WiFiGawd. Heat Check Volume 2 is a follow-up to WiFi and producer Tony Seltzer's collaborative tape from 2018. Over the past few years, WiFi has been one of the DMV area's more prolific artists, releasing over 10 projects since 2018. Each of his efforts build on his reputation as an artist willing to experiment with a wide range of production styles — at times, it's brooding and heavy and at others it's light, with delicate synths looping throughout. Heat Check Volume 2 is somewhere in the middle, with songs like "Legg" having anthemic hooks with arcade-sounding beats while "Official" has chords that feel closer to 2000s R&B. Listen to the project below and read WiFiGawd's takes on what making the project was like.
You and Tony Seltzer collaborate a lot. Was there a particular approach you two had in mind for this collectively or is it more of a natural thing now when you come together?
We approached this project as a cohesive piece of work. Tony made all the beats on site and we really tried to focus on simple, hard knocking beats that would hit live.
Did the making of any track particularly stick out to you?
Personally, "Legg." As soon as I finished the vocals, Tony played it back and we just listened to it on loop like five times smacked out of our minds like, Damn...this is so hard. That's probably my favorite.
Outside of people enjoying it, do you have a desired way for people to process this tape?
Given that everyone is on lockdown in their houses right now, I suggest taking a moment to let this album take you out of your current headspace. Turn it up loud and envision a dark room full of people turning up. Or light some good weed in your car and take a long drive, night time on the highway with no destination type vibes.
