Today we’d like to introduce you to Wilamina Wilson.
Hi Wilamina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’m Willie Thee Bawdy (formerly known as Wiltavious) from Lanett, AL. I’ve been musically gifted since I was about 5 years old. Growing up, I sang in the church choir. Being Baptist and queer at such a young age, you can imagine the amount of hate I received for being the “flamboyant child.” I’ve always been the go-to for ANYTHING regarding music. However, I was always shunned. I’d say was pretty much a guinea pig to some. Most queer people in rural areas are.
Years later, I joined the LDS Church and moved to Utah to pursue my degree in social media marketing. Shortly after moving out to Utah, I ended up thrown out of a house and homeless. I slept in my car until my professor offered me to stay at his place for a night. Then I left there and stayed with a close friend for a few weeks until I found a place downtown SLC. That was a very traumatic experience for me. Being thrown out of a home of a family, I thought cared about me but it only revealed that I was only a charity case to make themselves look like saints.
During the period of dealing with my trauma in 2016, I wrote “Dontplaywitme” which is a cover song from Bryson Tiller’s hit single “Don’t.” It was a second ‘coming out’ for me. Coming out about my depression, anxiety, and hatred. And coming out as queer once again. The music video received over 14k views on Facebook.
After a great response, I then started to take music seriously. In 2018-19 I released more music and got positive reviews.
Then I did a collab with local rapper Rhyme Time called “Drop Dat” and that was a MOMENT for me. I was grateful for that moment. It opened doors for me. And I started performing at Metro Music Hall, The Trapp, Why Kiki (then Bottoms Up), and more. However, once the recognition increased, so did the hate. I then started to see how people treat you in the industry when you’re black and queer, and talented! I was pretty much taking over the music scene. So much so that I graced the cover of City Weekly during Pride Month. I had no idea I was going to be front page! It was an exciting time for me. Here I am, in a city where hardly anyone knew me, and I was able to achieve so much in such little time.
But with success comes controversy and blackballing. I noticed that there were local radio stations that would use me for my talent but wouldn’t give me any exposure. It’s frustrating because these very same people say that they support local talent. I’m local, and I have talent beyond this world, and I kept trying to figure out why. Why was I being snubbed when I’m so talented and have the PR to back me. When I don’t get a response, I can only draw to conclusions that it’s either because I’m black, queer, too talented, being silenced by higher-ups, or all of the above.
Even though I knew that I was being snubbed because of my talents, I didn’t let that stop me and kept going.
After all of the local fame, I then had a disagreement with roommates and was falsely accused of DV. Thank goodness the charges were dropped. This is what forced me to move back to my hometown because I was homeless again and living with a friend and his family.
Now it’s 2023, and I still see the powers at be that are trying to keep me at the bottom, but that doesn’t stop me. I’m now focusing on being a content creator, and I plan to release more positive music along the way. Sometimes in life, we feel like we have to prove something. I’m in a good head space now where I don’t have to prove myself to anyone.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a hard road for me as an Artist.
1. I’m black and trans (she/her they/them)
2. No one wants competition, so they do all they can to silence
3. Marsha P. Johnson fought for me, so I will continue to resist and persist.
4. Music isn’t my end-all-be-all anymore. I want to have longevity.
5. I’m grateful for the people who believed in me. Enrique Limon, Aja (from RPDR), and my friends and family, and fans.
6. Being homeless is the worst thing a person can go through. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Right now, I still create music and content on social media. I’m now using the skills I’ve learned in life and throughout the years to promote myself in a more positive and ICONIC light.
I would have to say I’m probably the most talented artist out of SLC. After all, they do call me ‘The Queen of Salt Lake.’
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
If anyone would like to collaborate or support me, I can be reached primarily on Facebook or email willietheebawdy@gmail.com. Follow me on all social media. Every like and share goes a long way for underground artists.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willietheebawdy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willietheebawdy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/willietheebawdy
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/willietheebawdy
