Photo by: Jordan Skubal
Born Andrew D. Wold on December 27th, 1984, Drew Lines is making waves in the music industry as a rapidly rising hip hop artist and songwriter. Currently based in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, with his family, Drew officially became the first hip hop artist signed by Stryker Records, a label known for releasing rock music. With years of experience in the music scene, the artist aims to put Stryker Records on the map of the hip-hop genre while simultaneously cementing his legacy in the industry. His latest remix, “15 Minutes of Fame,” was launched on March 11th, produced by Malcolm Springer and Scott Wilson at the House of Blues Studio in Nashville, featuring Scotty Austin and Jason Null.
Drew creates music that inspires people to be themselves. Since the age of 13, his passion was writing poems, even when he was in prison, some of which have been published, such as his award-winning poem called “Rose,” which was recognized by The International Poets Society. But his years of pursuing his talent were coupled with challenges. He shared that for many years, he wandered aimlessly in search of himself. Still, despite the obstacles, Drew fought through his battles and handled the cards he was dealt with.
Before finding his way into the music scene as one of today’s thriving hip-hop powerhouses, he recalls his time behind bars with his friend, Antwon Evens Jr., who witnessed how he nurtured his talent despite the odds. Eventually, he found the melodies for his poems and turned them into music. “I would actually sing at night while we laid in our bunks at lights out. Two people from different worlds, but in the same breath, a similar struggle. Eventually, I picked up a pen, just a little 3-inch rubber tube with an ink tube and tip, and started writing on my yellow legal pad. I wrote so damn much that I would get lost in the pages,” he shared.
Drew also shared that the music industry is such a cutthroat landscape that one cannot avoid losing a bit of oneself in the process. He experienced feeling overwhelmed by it all at some point and said that the road to becoming an artist is not for the faint of heart as there are people who would take an artist for granted, and it is not easy to find genuine people who will be on your side. But Drew has found his own intimate circle he trusts, and it has made his music journey less daunting.
“This music life isn’t for the weak ones or the quitters. You are going to fall and fail away more than you will win. My life, my struggles, my trials and tribulations molded me. I’ve been through enough to know that everything finds a way to work itself out,” Drew explained. “If you’re trying to grow something new, fresh, real, you can’t just plant the seed on top of what’s there or has been there. You have to clean out the roots, give whatever is going to be new a fighting chance. Things don’t happen because they are supposed to. They happen because they were meant to happen. That’s how I’ve been learning to live, to rebuild myself. To really make a change, in life, your relationships, your job, music, whatever, you examine every bit of yourself and the situation all the way to the root of each. There’s always time to learn. It’s not always easy, you will not always win, but you will always have the ability to learn,” the hip-hop artist said.
Opinions expressed by NY Weekly contributors are their own.
