What's Black Is White
Producer, musician, and songwriter Anayalator, and a cadre of New Jersey musicians led by lead singer & rapper “Will” Williams formed What's Black Is White (WBIW) in 2017 to address a much-needed change of pace in an industry of music afflicted by monotony. Their mission, simple yet exacting, was to bring the funk into everything they do musically. The result is a panoply of songs that ensures head nods, shaking booties, hands in the air, swaying bodies, moshing, and serious air-guitar’ing.
The band's name takes inspiration from the word 'blackwhite' – a jargon term pulled from the fictional language of Oceania, called Newspeak, found in George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel, 1984. Loosely ‘blackwhite” means the ability to believe whatever you are told, regardless of the facts; or, as Orwell described it as “the ability to BELIEVE that black is white, and more, to KNOW that black is white, and to forget that one has ever believed the contrary.”
Driven by top-notch musicianship, inspired songwriting and stellar production the concept of ‘blackwhite’ comes to life in WBIW’s music, which brings elements of rock, funk, R&B and rap together seamlessly, making the word "genre" almost lose its meaning.
WBIW is an entertainment juggernaut, yet their songs are socially and politically motivated aiming to address issues facing the current generation while always keeping the funk alive. Be it about our tweeting president, online dating, legalization of marijuana, police violence and brutality, and of course heartbreak, love, loss and the ladies… the relatable lyrics and catchy grooves of WBIW's songs are irresistible.
For more tune in here https://whatsblackiswhite.wixsite.com/whatsblackiswhite
Featuring
Will Williams
Lead Vocalist / Rapper / Guitar, Mandolin & Percussion
Photo By: Stuart Tyson
Will Williams is the lead singer and frontman of WBIW. His throaty vocals are reminiscent of Seal and Lenny Kravitz. He is also a skilled rapper with a socially conscious lyrics similar to that of well known rapper, Common. Hailing from Roselle Park in NJ, Will's interest in music began when he was a teenager, listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and various hip-hop artists like D'Angelo & Musiq Soulchild . Before joining WBIW, Will rapped and produced for the Jersey-based hip-hop group 5iveheads, doing gigs all around the tri-state area . Will also plays guitar and is an avid songwriter.
ANAYALATOR
Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals
Producer & Engineer
One of the most important aspects of WBIW is the funky bassline. The man holding down the low end for the band is Nayan Lassiter aka Anayalator, hailing from West Orange, NJ. Nay has produced, played on, engineered and remixed hundreds of records and worked with some of the biggest chart topping acts in the world. He has worked on a vast array of artists including, Elle Varner, Kanye West, Robbie Williams, Joe, Sneaker Pimps as well as many classic artists like Evelyn 'Champagne' King. He works out of his own personal recording studio, Bass Mint Studio in West Orange, NJ, but has also worked at many world class studios, including Hit Factory, Sony, Right Track, Sound Track, Power Station, Unique, and Capitol, just to name a few.
Matt
Funabashi
Lead and Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals
Matt Funabashi’s rockin' guitar riffs and supporting vocals bring forth the grit of What's Black is White. As a young kid growing up in Wayne, NJ, Matt was fascinated by the performances he saw on MTV. It wasn’t until watching Blink-182 perform “All the Small Things” that Matt would realize how much he yearned to play guitar. So, at age 11, he picked one up and has been playing ever since. His time spent playing music has landed him gigs with actress Abigail Breslin, singer-songwriter Gia Farrell and Lady Gaga’s producer Rob Fusari. Other musical influences of his range anyhwere from Michael Jackson to Linkin Park.
Photo By: Stuart Tyson
SIMON FICKEN
Drums & Electronic Percussion
Simon is the driving force of the band. Originally from Asbury, NJ he has been playing the drums since the age of 4. He hails from a musical family including his father who also plays the drums. At the young age of 21 he has studied, everything from Jazz to Orchestral pit playing. Most recently, studied under renown educator, Joe Bergamini. Simon was a founding member of the original band 'Idaltu' in which he was writing and recording with Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios. Primary influences include Rush, Van Halen, Miles Davis and more recently Tool, Mastodon and King Crimson.
Photo By: Stuart Tyson
CHRIS AGUAYO
Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards and Backing Vocals
Chris Aguayo is a New Jersey native guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer, & producer. He grew up with influences such as System of a Down, Muse, & The Cure, and over the years has grown to love Hiatus Kaiyote, Explosions in the Sky, & Kurt Rosenwinkel. Chris Aguayo is recognized by WFMZ-TV as a "uniquely talented songwriter" and has been featured on their show on multiple occasions in addition to hundreds of other music performances under his belt. He graduated from Moravian College where he studied music composition and jazz guitar. Chris' music has also been featured in the movies "A Score To Settle" (starring Nicolas Cage & Benjamin Bratt) and "Night Sweats" (starring John Wesley Shipp).