Wynter Gordon Sheds Light on Debut Album, Nicki Minaj, and Estelle
Wynter Gordon may have just released her EP, The First Dance, but she’s already focused on putting the finishing touches on her debut album, With the Music I Die. While the Queens native held an intimate listening of her EP for a group of bloggers at Polar Lounge in New York City last week, she divulged tidbits regarding her forthcoming project as well as some music industry superstars she fancies.
With the Music I Die is set to reflect the 25-year-old’s honesty and persistence through adversity. During the recording process, Wynter dealt with the dilemma of balancing a heavy workload with playtime. “My friends would be like, ‘Why are you so busy? Why don’t you come hang out with us? Come to the club!'” Wynter tells staging-rapup.kinsta.cloud. “And I’m like, ‘No, I gotta stay here and do this.’ It’s about struggling and having hard times without friends and the lonely life.”
Producers like David Guetta have blessed the songstress with choice tunes like “Toyfriend,” yet, for her debut, one of her favorite beatmakers, Warren Okay “Oak” Felder, created three tracks. But their long hours in the studio aren’t just reserved for recording. “When we get together we watch the Food Network and YouTube videos,” she shares. “Then we go back to work and I get to be as crazy as I want.”
Perhaps that craziness in the booth is a result of attending a music and performing arts high school, which another female entertainer also calls her alma mater. “Honestly, [Nicki Minaj and I] went to the same high school [Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School],” Wynter says. “We’re from the same neighborhood in Jamaica, Queens. She’s one of those people, aside from Lady Gaga, who just came out and did who they are.”
These days, she may not get the chance to rub elbows with Nicki due to clashing schedules, but there is one U.K. darling she hangs with on the regular—Estelle. “She is one of the few artists that I tell my secrets to and call for advice or hang in the studio,” she admits. “We talk about men [and] we talk about our problems.”
All this girl talk happens during Wynter’s down time though. Despite not having an official release date, she’s working as if her project is coming out tomorrow. Just expect to be surprised by her sound. “The EP will not be anything close to my debut album,” Wynter reveals. “No one has seen my personality yet. I feel like I’ve been in a box and it took a long time for me to say I’m gonna be me and I’m about to show everybody who I am.”
–Evelyn Kim
Photo credit: Mykwain Gainey