Following the success of his debut album DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE, hip-hop artist Will McClean returns with his new 6-track EP, WALKING THE WALK, set for release on November 29th. The first two singles, FIND MY WAY and WALKING THE WALK, mark an exciting new chapter for Will, establishing a new launch point to jump to the top of Aotearoa’s hip-hop scene.
Youthful but wise beyond his years, Will McClean is heavily inspired by Mac Miller and Tom Scott, and writes music written through the lens of an everyday kiwi, for everyday kiwis. Jazzy saxophone melodies, fluid basslines and lyrics culminate into a deep dive into the depths of vulnerability, allowing a cathartic experience for his listeners. Creating music packed with perspective, McClean is a vessel leading the way for the youth to self-identify and follow on their own journeys.
Speaking on his earliest influences and the establishment of his artistry, Track 1: FIND MY WAY pays homage to where Will has been and where he’s heading, underlaid by a sample, string-rich beat and delivered with unapologetic Kiwi flair. Track 2: NO NEED TO PRETEND, speaks from the perspective of an everyday person stuck in the cycle of life. With a chopped piano driven beat, Will shares stories he’s lived through the pen and speaks to the honest struggle of disenfranchised Kiwis, holding up a mirror to the struggles we sweep under the rug.
Will steps up to the next stop in Track 3: WALKING THE WALK, a track that embodies the themes of authenticity, resilience, and living up to one's words; along with FLEETING MEMORIES, a sonic changeup featuring continued script pertaining to pain in one’s journey.
In Track 5: RICHIE MCCAW we are reminded of the comforting essence within McClean’s lyrics, making references to icons familiar to kiwis. Capturing the feel of his homeland and chief influence Home Brew, McClean uses RICHIE MCCAW to explain himself. Track 6 WAITING is the final stop, characterised by a flirtatious Raye, Amy Winehouse-inspired hook, featuring collaborator JClean.
In McClean’s words, “WALKING THE WALK is about showing up, being genuine, and making an impact through actions, not just words. The dynamic between having the passion and then taking actions required to achieve results is an interesting balance to work out. I was walking at 9 months which was over a year before I spoke words hah”
Will McClean has shared the stage with some of Aotearoa’s top homegrown artists such as Home Brew, Summer Thieves, Ché-Fu, Troy Kingi and Fat Freddy’s Drop and proves to be an artist to watch in Aotearoa’s hip hop community, with WALKING THE WALK being the current landmark on his musical journey.