Art Is Community: HAAWWS on Roxbury, Leadership & Fact Based Hip-Hop
Roxbury doesn’t whisper — it teaches. For HAAWWS, growing up in Grove Hall meant observing, learning, and grounding his music in lived experience. He calls his sound fact-based hip-hop: records built from reality, meant to document, not distract.
Art is community. Community is art,” he says, framing creativity as responsibility, not performance. Influenced by his mother’s love for art and lessons from basketball, HAAWWS approached music with patience, focusing on craft over hype. Tracks like *East Side* reflect Boston’s streets as character, not backdrop.
Beyond music, he leads as a commissioner on Boston’s Black Men and Boys Commission, extending artistry into civic engagement. Integrity, longevity, and presence define him. His advice: read more, move patiently, and stay true — let the world catch up.
HAAWWS isn’t chasing moments. He’s building a legacy — and Boston remembers those who stand firm.
BYHHM. Published on October 2025
HipHopMunchies: Your music is often described as “fact-based hip-hop.” Where did that mindset come from?
HAAWWS:
It came from how I grew up. I’m from Grove Hall, Roxbury. You see a lot early, and you learn fast that exaggeration doesn’t last. I never wanted to create a character. I wanted the music to document real experiences—what I saw, what I lived, what I learned. That’s what felt honest to me.
HipHopMunchies: Before music, basketball played a big role in your life. How did that shape you creatively?
HAAWWS:
Basketball taught me structure and accountability. It was about brotherhood and discipline. Showing up for something bigger than yourself. When competition started outweighing the love, I stepped away—but the lessons stayed with me. I bring that same mindset into music.
HipHopMunchies: Early on, were you focused on releasing music fast or developing your sound?
HAAWWS:
Development. Early studio time wasn’t about attention—it was about learning how to write better, how to listen, how to let records breathe. I didn’t want to rush anything. I wanted the music to last.
HipHopMunchies: Records like “East Side” feel reflective and grounded. What were you aiming to capture?
HAAWWS:
“East Side” was about atmosphere and honesty. Late nights. Real thoughts. Boston energy without forcing it. The city isn’t a backdrop—it’s a character. I wanted the sound and visuals to feel lived-in.
HipHopMunchies: You’re also involved with Boston’s Black Men and Boys Commission. How does leadership connect to your art?
HAAWWS:
Art doesn’t stop at music. Impact doesn’t end at the mic. Leadership is an extension of creativity. Being present, giving back, helping shape what’s next—that’s part of the responsibility.
HipHopMunchies: You once said, “As a man, my legacy is stand-up. As an artist, my legacy is loud.” What does that mean to you?
HAAWWS:
Integrity first. Ambition without ego. Confidence without compromise. I want my actions to speak, and my art to amplify truth. That balance matters more than moments.
HipHopMunchies: What advice do you have for artists coming up in Boston right now?
HAAWWS:
Read more. Move with patience. Stay yourself long enough for the world to catch up. The city is growing creatively, but we need deeper connection—more collaboration, more risk, less waiting for validation.
HipHopMunchies: How do you want this chapter of your career to be remembered?
HAAWWS:
As consistency. As building records, not chasing moments. Something that lasts.