Celebrating the release of her latest single “Look At You” with a late-night Taco Bell run, Portland-based rapper Wynne is both all bark and all bite.
Skilled with quick-witted rhymes and wordplay that circles some of the better emcees in the underground, Wynne’s lyrical talent and refined pen seemingly turn heads each time she grips the mic. Possessing a potent flow that oozes hunger and tenacity in her verses, the rising star continues to showcase how hip-hop’s leading ladies are taking over — rightfully earning her flowers on “Look At You” (Aug. 24).
After being co-signed by “BILLIE EILISH” sensation Armani White and JID — collaborating on her highest-streamed record “Ego Check” — every moment Wynne has experienced this past year feels more special than the last. Boasting over 115,000 Spotify monthly listeners, the Portland rapper says that these “moments” are coupled with her finally feeling “confident in my voice.”
Utilizing all the tools in her “tool belt,” the “Lola Bunny” of the “cypher scene” is making sure that she’s heard loud and clear. “It’s like if little sis was one of the guys, but then she grew up,” she explained, as her triumphant track presence ultimately commands her performance on “Look At You.”
“You want a side piece? / Go get a holster,” she spits with energy — showcasing her knack for tearing off barrages of bars with an effortless control and attitude all her own. “Your girl Shining, here comes Johnny,” she continues on the Felix Leone-produced beat — whose notably worked with pgLang’s Tanna Leone and Baby Keem. The track itself sees Wynne loosely emulate an energy that melds the braggadocio of Cardi B and the aura of Drake’s “No Friends In The Indsutry.”
Okay, I’m outtie, don’t get me started
Hitting me at 2 A.M. like, “I know you want me”
Right, I beg your pardon, I’m not your Dolly
Tryna get your balls between my legs like you Obi Toppin
Knock it off Sway, you my Phonte
WYNNE — “Look At You”
While “Look At You” is just the latest for the 25-year-old songstress, it’s further evidence of where she’s heading to next. She’s in charge of her own destiny — and with a growing bar-heavy discography behind her — expect Wynne to keep on “wynning” as the year rolls on.
Check out “Look At You” below!
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and cohesion.
JB: “Where 2 Next” is blowing up right now — I’ve seen this track all over the place. What sticks out most about “Look At You” at this growth stage in your career? What’s special about this track to you?
“To me, this is kind of an arrival. I’ve landed at a place where I feel confident in my voice and I know how to use all the tools in my tool belt. I’ve grown into myself as a woman and the confidence really shines through the flows, lyrics and attitude.”
JB: For fans who are unfamiliar with you or your work, how would you describe your sound and what do you hope fans take away from your music?
“It’s like the Lola Bunny of the rap game. It has an effortlessness and confidence that can only come from years of honing your skills. It can be soft and sultry, and it can punch you in the face. It’s like little sis was one of the guys, but then she grew up.”
JB: “Armani White just showed you love for your freestyle of “Billie Eilish.” A moment! Describe how this felt for you being reposted by him and how this co-sign translates to what you got coming next?”
“It always feels good to have a fellow artist show love. I’ve known Armani for a while through the underground scene so it’s a cool full circle moment. Hopefully there’s a collab with him in the future.”
JB: If you had to name two of your biggest inspirations in pursuing music, who would they be and why?
“The women in my family are probably my biggest inspiration to pursue music. They’re all hard-headed and courageous, I never felt like I couldn’t do something.”
JB: It’s apparent that you have bars for days… but what’s something about Wynne that fans may not know?
“I am a big science nerd, especially natural history. I read a lot about prehistoric life and I am liable to lecture you about my passion of short-faced bears after a couple shots of tequila.“
JB: There’s been a surge of female rappers in recent years that are redefining the rules of hip-hop all on their own terms. How do you feel you have contributed to the next wave of female emcees?
“I think I have a unique perspective as a woman who mostly came up with men in the cypher-scene. It allows me to exist on this border of a very split-gendered fanbase which has been an exciting challenge. I think I pick unique instrumentation and flows because of my background as a cypher emcee that have helped a lot of people broaden their idea and expectations of women in hip hop.”
