VAWNE comes from the ashes of a phoenix. Whether you want to put a positive association to it or delve deeper into it, doesn’t matter. Skinny Slayah has reverberated a fire chakra through his hip-hop tunes for quite some time. This alter ego becomes the more present, balanced version of what burns down every inhibition and roadblock that has ever been experienced by anyone struggling with identity or the monsters inside. This one is called Pyromaniac, so prepare yourself for arson.
- Your identity has directed the sound of your tunes for sure. Who are some obvious and lesser-known inspirations to your music, VAWNE?
I have a lot of inspirations because I listen to a lot of different genres. It goes from Euro pop to country, and from classical music to gaana. But the sounds that shaped this album came from artists who connected with me the most when I was at one of the lowest points in my life. Kenny Mason, Papa Roach, Slipknot, Slowthai, Denzel Curry who is one of my GOATs, System of a Down, and Maximum the Hormone all played a big role in influencing this project.
Building, to the beat
As verses and a connect with energy go, VAWNE is setting the tempo and pace. Charizard opens the EP, bringing that dangerous Pokémon to life through verses. You can see how well he is able to switch between the kind of verses we go through, while setting the canvas for what has to come with full flavour. You’ll love the opening of Kang as well. The 808s pummel through the silence, while lyrical penmanship bring technical and emotional outbursts, balanced with quirky, offbeat lyrics that have a powerful link within the music.
- Your album is called Pyromaniac. What is the destructive connotation you are referring to with this collection?
Pyromaniac is a metaphor for burning down everything that held me back. Expectations, cultural boxes, and old versions of myself. It is destructive only in the sense that sometimes you need fire to clear space for something new. These songs were born while I was breaking cycles, losing people, rebuilding identity, and removing anything that felt fake in my life. The destruction in this album is about transformation, not violence.
When the trap beats flow in, you can hear the lyrics in full dev, fiery lyrics setting the temperature raising. Jason was packed with references, wordplay and a natural rhythm that I feel VAWNE borrows from his Skinny Slayah days as well. You’re now standing in the middle of the gurukul, as Skinny transforms as a rite of passage. When there are bouts of rage-there is spirited understanding as well; as he acknowledges the existence and the evident upgrade.
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In vision, a rebirth to witness
- What made you collaborate with Skinny Slayah for Pyromaniac? Is there a chemistry there that just sparked instantly?
Skinny Slayah is not a collaborator. He is the older version of me. The part of me that was reckless, loud, angry, and convinced that chaos was the only way to survive. You can hear that side in tracks like Ashes, where even in the middle of struggle there is always a pull toward reckless abandon. Pyromaniac is the final conversation between who I used to be and who I am trying to become. The chemistry people hear is really me facing my past self, accepting him, challenging him, and finally transforming him. It is especially clear in tracks like Fire and Ashes where both identities show up.
Ashes might be where you’re seeing the real transformation, like how Kendrick leaves you gasping for escapism as he shows his spin with humour-while purposely making sure no beat takes any of the weight away. The bouncing percussion of Fire will vacuum you in, while the track becomes the diamond hard exterior VAWNE has been building towards.
Making music and the impact
- Tell me about your process of making music. How do you go about compositions?
My process is messy. It is emotional rather than technical. Sometimes a song starts with a feeling. Sometimes it begins with a single line that refuses to leave my head. Perhaps a beat hits the right nerve and everything flows out at once. I rely on instinct more than structure. If it feels honest, it stays.
There are meta-metaphors and slices for the sharp listeners. Now that we’re beyond the spark, we’re watching the flames engulf the ego, the pride and everything else on the sides as lines are delivered with conviction.
The process, in motion
- Has there been a place where you script out certain lyrics and a beat just fits? Is your process a to and fro or unidirectional?
It is always a back-and-forth. I write lines randomly all the time. When I am travelling, at work, on bad days, on good days, and basically whenever something hits me. Sometimes months later a beat appears and those words suddenly make sense. Other times the beat comes first and forces the lyrics out. Most of the time I feel like I am just the tool and the song is the one taking shape.
- Are you planning a tour with this album release? How is your approach to performing these tracks live?
Not a tour yet since this is only my first step as Vawne. But I did host a show recently with a couple of my friends called the Pyromaniac Party and it was crazy. The response and the turnout were unbelievable. We sold out within a week. The lineup included Mad Rassi, Vrun, Swarkaar, Shiv Dhudh, and The Moshpit Collective which includes Annewsh Ray, Silvan, JWA, Tamizh Aadhavan, and Spideymus, followed by Forty2. After that I took the stage with my crew Voltage B. The group has JBE, Akroniim, and Sunil Jacksz, who also was the MC for the evening. DJ 808BL4CK closed the night with a powerful set. More than an album release, the night turned into a celebration of underground hip hop.
When the family collaborates
This is where closing with In The Zone makes all the difference. Sunil Jacksz & RXZOR come through to put all the real accents this song needs. From Tamil verses that completely shift the flow to tear open a whole new pocket. This is where the community comes together-to watch a brilliant display and proudly quote that VAWNE is in the family just as deep.
- What was the toughest song to put together in this album?
Fire was definitely the toughest. It is a very emotional track and it forced me to revisit memories I did not want to face. It made me have a conversation with myself that I did not think I needed.
Future plans, and more
- What is next for VAWNE? More collabs on the way?
There are a lot of big things coming. I have been doing this for a long time as Skinny Slayah and I know exactly what I want to do next. The next steps are going to be major for me. Even if they are small moves, each one will be intentional and impactful. I have another track coming out with a crew member, Sunil Jacksz, who is an incredibly talented rapper. It is going to be a cultural collision and we cannot wait to put it out.
With this catharsis, you’re shown that what holds you back need not define you. The growth of Skinny Slayah to this is now lore, captured and immortalised through this impactful album. As one leaves the fold one enters it, and the homecoming is glorious:
Self professed metalhead, moderately well read. If the music has soul, it's whole to me. The fact that my bio could have ended on a rhyme and doesn't should tell you a lot about my personality.
