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Varyus Waise is engaged in more than just writing music and poetry. He also writes graphic novels and comics. This Brooklyn native has always been and continues to be busy. As a kid, you could catch him with either a comic book or an encyclopedia in his grasp or learning about the ways of Batman and Robocop. After finishing his bachelor’s degree in journalism and Black studies, you can find him in the studio with his rhymes, hanging out at a poetry show, writing comics, or making a difference in the nonprofit sector. inCOLOR speaks with VW (Nick Florest) about his musical and literary pursuits.

inCOLOR: What inspired you to write?
VW: To write comics, I had a roommate in college who was heavy into comics and he put me on to some great stories Marvel was doing. I just caught this surge of creative energy and decided to put it to use.

To write music, I was always into poetry and won a few national contests as a kid. When I first started listening to hip-hop, I would rewrite the lyrics to some of my favorite songs, which definitely got me into trouble with my Mom, as you could imagine. Then I bought the single to Tracey Lee’s “It’s Party Time” - this was when singles were sold so I’m giving away my age a bit - and discovered the instrumental. The rest was history.

inCOLOR: How did you get involved with writing graphic novels?
VW: I wrote a semi-biography of my time with a magazine I edited in college but added in superpowers and made all my experiences different story arcs and villains. I had so much fun writing it. I went nuts. So from there, I had other story ideas I had in my head and decided to teach myself how to write comics scripts by reading scripts and interviews from my favorite comic writers. It’s been tough, but I’m glad I’m staying on that path.

inCOLOR: Is most of your work based on real-life experiences or was it made up?
VW: For my graphic novels, they’re based on experiences I’ve had but mostly on things I’ve loved from other stories. I tell stories that haven’t been told before that I would love to read. That’s the key to being a successful writer. Write things you would want to read yourself.
My music tends to be way more personal because with music it’s a lot easier to connect to people. They get to hear your voice and all the emotions that you put into it with music so I choose to write about things that I like and dislike about the world, situations and even myself.

inCOLOR: What messages are you conveying in your music?
VW: Love yourself. I’m not saying don’t have fun because I cut loose myself, but I would prefer to be known as a healer through my music. I put out things that many others aren’t saying right now as a way of saying you can be yourself and be proud of it. Once you accept yourself completely, totally, good and bad, you’ll begin to learn what your purpose is and stay away from things that are destructive to your life, whatever that may be.

inCOLOR:  Why or how do you see yourself as the nonprofit rapper?
VW: I see myself as the nonprofit rapper because I’ve done a lot of work in the nonprofit field and I don’t really hear a voice for it. I have a great amount of respect and love for people out there doing right in the world for little to no pay with little to no help even if I don’t agree with their methods and I feel that they need someone who can sing their songs. The last person I felt connected to that theme in hip-hop was 2Pac, which is why he’s my favorite emcee of all time. I want to give a voice to those who are doing all they can to make right of some of the wrongs of the world. From the grassroots organizers to those working in philanthropic departments in corporations, I’m here for you.

inCOLOR: Are you recording more music or working on an album?
VW: I’m working on three projects right now. The first to come out will be a mixtape to show my range as an artist. The second will be a soundtrack for an indie comic book character and the third will be an EP that will emphasize the nonprofit/therapeutic side of me because I’ll be telling a lot of personal stories and coming to grip with demons that everyone has faced at one point in their lives or another. Along with that, I’m getting myself on mixtapes around the country and hopefully the world, so expect a flood of Varyus Waise music to come out in 2010.

inCOLOR: What other projects are you working on?
VW: I’m scripting out some short graphic stories and working on two graphic novels, which probably won’t be out for some time. I’m also the newest co-host of Rise Up Radio, a hip-hop talk show that focuses on issues in the community, on WBAI  which airs every Friday from 9-10pm.

You can Twitter me @VaryusWaise), as well as ReverbNation and Facebook (Varyus Waise). I also have a blog www.agentofchangemusic.com. Stay up. Love yourself. Peace.

Photos courtesy of his Facebook and blog pages.

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