Meet Wifty Bangura | Musician & Sound Healer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wifty Bangura and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wifty, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
My favorite quote comes from the first Matrix movie. In the scene, a young boy demonstrates his ability to bend a metal spoon with his mind. He explains to Neo to not try and bend the spoon, and only to remember the truth, “…there is no spoon.” To me, this means that the world around us is indeed a simulation. It was created, and then more was created within it. Just as we were created and now create. We are reflections of who or whatever created us and our creations, be they tangible or emotional, are reflections of our inner worlds. It’s like a never ending mirror.

This quote taught me that everything we experience happens within us first. If you are attempting to manifest something, if you want to “bend the spoon”, you must bend. There are no bounds to creation because simply put, there really is no “creation”. There is only creator, staring into that mirror. I don’t think this will make sense to everyone but, yeah. That’s my favorite quote.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After graduating from Baltimore School for the Arts high school, I went to Morgan State for a year on a choir and honors scholarship. I ended up dropping out after my first year, and became kind of a floater. I stayed with some friends, and started singing and playing guitar at open mics. Eventually, I met Black Assets and started singing back up for her. I watched the way she performed and built community through music, and took notes. This time in my life was hard. I was 19, alone in a new city, a drop out (it wasn’t cool yet), and lost. She really pushed me to keep going, and gave me my first solo performance-like with my name on a bill. From there I started booking more shows, managed to get sublets on Facebook and little restaurant jobs. I found my way.

My art currently consists of musical works-performed and produced. I’m usually singing or rapping on someone’s stage. If not that, you can catch my score in a short film, or my song in a commercial. I also have a few features out on all streaming platforms AND an EP out on Soundcloud. Stream “NuTreeEnts”

I’m 25 now, lease signed, booking bigger shows, working with a label, and I just landed my first sync placement with Netflix. (The Upshaws Season 2 Trailer)

These are the lessons I’ve learned so far:

1. Ask, and it is given.
2. Trust the process.
3. Allow yourself space for healing.
4. It’s okay to move on.

and of course

5. “There is no spoon.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you’re going to Baltimore, you’ve gotta check out the Crown. It’s my favorite hole in the wall with great food and *very* strong drinks.

You could make a mission out of eating at all the Black owned restaurants in the city. Some of my favorites are Dovecote Cafe, Land of Kush, and Grind House Juice Cafe.

The best adventures in Baltimore are the ones you find just exploring. Do not stop at the Harbor. Check out Druid Hill Park, Hampden, and Fells Point. There’s so much to do, but you won’t always find the fun on Facebook events. You gotta ask the locals.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thanks to my mommy. Thanks to my dad, who introduced me to my love for music.
Much love to Latik McNeil for referring me!
Thank you to Black Assets for taking me under your wing when I was a wee lad.
Thank you Tee for loving me fully as I am.
Shoutout to my team at Epic Fam for giving me the space to be my fullest self.

And last but not least, thank you to me..for being.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiftybangura

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wifty-bangura-b8b5a3202/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WiftyBangura/featured

Other: Tiktok: @WiftyBangura

Image Credits
Sydney J. Allen and The Carpography