Vibrant Ways: Harmonizing Beats and Consciousness
Vibrant Ways is rapping a path to peace and positivity.
Photo: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
The Dalles, Ore., April 8, 2024 – In the heart of the Columbia River Gorge where the big river carves its path through the landscape, local musician Joe Slowik, also known as Vibrant Ways, is on a mission to transform the world one beat at a time. His music—a blend of hip-hop, lo-fi, and acoustic is not just an auditory experience; it's a movement towards love, understanding, and a higher consciousness.
About Vibrant Ways
Born in the bustling dense urban city of Los Angeles, Vibrant Ways's musical journey began in the diverse and multicultural streets of Lawndale. Influenced by the peace-promoting tunes of the Beatles, Bob Marley, and Joni Mitchell, his early exposure to music was rooted in the desire for global change. However, as he ventured into his late teens and mid-20s, the materialism prevalent in the hip-hop scene of the time left him feeling empty.
It wasn't until the emergence of Kid Cudi, an artist who brought sensitivity and emotion to hip-hop, that Vibrant Ways found his calling. "Kid Cudi was the first rapper to really resonate with me on an emotional level," he reflects. "It inspired me to start writing lyrics, to add my voice to the soundscape of change."
Vibrant Ways most recent track is Up/Down, a song about maintaining your peace despite the ups and downs of life.
Over the past decade, Vibrant Ways has dedicated himself to creating music that reflects his vision of a more loving and open world.
His lyrics, direct and impactful, aim to address social issues head-on, inviting listeners to ponder, reflect, and engage in the conversation for change. "It's all about the love," he emphasizes. "If I can inspire more love, more self-love, and more love for each other, then I'm fulfilling my purpose."
When asked about his music's technical aspects, Vibrant Ways highlights the prominence of his message. His tracks, characterized by clear and eloquent lyrics, often feature lo-fi beats, reggae rhythms, and even piano ballads. "I'm not confined to one genre," he says. "I believe in exploring all musical possibilities to convey my message."
Photo: Cole Goodwin
His message: Radiate love, ground in nature, and practice daily affirmations to raise your consciousness.
“The Buddha said “The mind is everything. What you think, you become” that finally clicked for me recently. What you say and think matters,” he says “My first album, I was repeating these phrases from a previous experience of life that I had and I felt like that was my niche, my call to the world, to kind of like be this person that talks about the bad things and the good things and bridge them. But now I've realized that if I stay in that world, I'll continue to have those negative thoughts. So, this year, absolutely everything is going to be positive, high vibrational, loving music. That's the biggest evolution that I've gone through musically.”
For Vibrant Ways, music is more than just entertainment; it's a platform for philosophical inquiry and spiritual growth. "I've called myself a philosopher rapper, (Philosorapper)" he admits. "My ultimate goal is to create a world that works for everyone, a world of equity and sustainability."
He says he hopes that his music can help the millennial generation heal.
“We have so many conflicting ideologies. And the worst thing about it is we're just so busy surviving. You know, trying to take care of our rent, which is insanely high and we're grinding every day, and then a lot of us were filling our minds with empty media,” he explains. “I think it's really important that we start slowly working positive stuff in, even if it's just a song on your commute to work. Positivity can change your chemistry, shake up your cells a little bit and bring some more love into the world.”
With a newborn baby at home, his approach to music has become more deliberate, ensuring that every track contributes to the positive, high-vibrational energy he wishes to spread.
The Slowik family enjoying some sunshine with their new baby at Sorosis Park.
As for his goals this year, Vibrant Ways plans to release one song a month directly to streaming platforms, focusing on Spotify.
His upcoming track “Souler Power” is slated to release mid to late April.
”I sing about some troubling activities going on around us, the call inside to do something about it and some ideas on how we can make changes for a brighter future.” he says.
He also hopes to interface more with the community.
Community engagement is at the heart of his mission. Having participated in local events like Earth Day celebrations and performing at various venues around The Dalles, Hood River and White Salmon, he's committed to being an artist for the community.
Vibrant Ways performing live in the Gorge.
"I'm here," he states firmly. "I'm an artist for this community, and I invite everyone to join me in this journey of love and change."
As Vibrant Ways continues to navigate his musical and spiritual journey, he hopes to be a beacon of light in the Gorge and in the world, inviting us all to tune in, unplug, and reconnect with the earth and each other. In a world often clouded by chaos, his music offers a clear path toward harmony and peace.
Listen and learn more about Vibrant Ways upcoming performances by visiting: linktr.ee/Vibrantways
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