Name: Vanavia ‘Navy’ Weatherly
Major:
Double Major: English and Communications
Minor: Music Enterprise & Media
Hobbies: Promoting and managing local artists, singing, hanging out with friends.
Involvement on campus: President of the OSU Freestyle Rap & Beatbox Club, Campus Rep/Promoter for PSG (Prime Social Group).
HC: What’s it like being the president of a student org?
VW: Being the president of a student org is exciting, but also challenging. It’s nice to have meetings and plan events that people can get involved with and enjoy themselves and also meet new people. But then on the down side, sometimes planning and organizing things can be stressful and overwhelming. Sometimes it feels like a job, but it’s something that’s a part of me and I have come to love it.
HC: Tell me about your background in beatboxing, and how you started getting your name out.
VW: I started beatboxing when I was 11 years old. I started doing it because it was a nervous condition really. Haha. I was really shy and so I would beatbox, but not openly. I didn’t realize what I was doing until I saw Blake Lewis on American Idol and he beatboxed. I was like, “oh man, people are digging this,” so I began to do it more and openly. Once I hit high school, I performed a few times for talent shows and such. Coming to college is when people knowing I beatboxed became a big deal. Still to this day, I am surprised when I see the reactions of the people I beatbox for. My name got out initially by helping Keith Shields with the OSU Freestyle Club. And from there, things sparked with Buckeye Showcase, Freshman Student of the Year, Cal Scruby, etc.
HC: Because hip hop is a male-dominated scene, especially beatboxing, are people surprised when they find out about your talent?
VW: I have a ton of guys, in fact, who doubt me. But I actually love when I am approached by guys who are doubting the fact that I can beatbox. This feeling has actually evolved over some time, because in the past I would get so intimidated by guys who would come to me and say, “Oh, so I heard you can beatbox, lets hear this.” But once I truly started believing in myself and my talent, I now have no shame in my game. I love when people are surprised by me beatboxing. This is a reason why I continue to perform. Being able to shock and keep people surprised, that feels good.
HC: What advice do you give other ladies who are interested in rapping or beatboxing?
VW: Don’t ever let someone tell you anything to deter you from what you believe is right or real. Whether that be you rapping, singing or beatboxing. It may take some time for people to notice, but someone out in this world is listening.
HC: What’s the one thing about yourself that’s changed the most since freshman year?
VW: Since freshman year, I have learned to be more open and honest with my opinion. When artists ask me for critiques, I am now right to the point, there is no beating around the bush on how I believe they sound as an artist. I feel that has changed me a great ton. When starting in the OSU Freestyle club and people asking me for feedback, I realized that I was too nice and didn’t really say all that was on my mind. As of now, I give constructive criticism, which I find to be very helpful.
HC: What’re your future aspirations?
VW: The path that I am on now, promoting for the artists I manage and networking in Columbus. I truly want to take this gift further into other cities and states. I love beatboxing. And with that, I love promoting local music. I honestly hope after college that I can go to a larger city and make differences and changes. There are so many hidden talents and I want to be the one to find those. Motivating, promoting talented artists and networking are just a few things I love doing, and I hope to make a career out of it someday.