Less Is More: Wa$hington Shares How He Shapes Albums With Meaning

For rising artist Wa$hington, creating music is more than simply piecing together tracks — it’s a deliberate process rooted in meaning and emotion. His catalog showcases a range of moods and genres, but each body of work is tied together with intention and focus. “When it comes to deciding which songs make it onto Wa$hington’s album or playlist, his selection process is based on thinking about tracks primarily in terms of themes and messages,” he shares. “My previous bodies of work all served a purpose, and I packaged them according to a theme. For Imposter, it was an intimate album about self-reflection and overcoming self-doubt. For 15 Minutes of Fame, it was a carefree, fast-paced, summer vibe. For Nightlife, it was rage/trap/hip-hop that was made to embody the nightlife but still carried an ominous theme. I believe less is more, and when thinking about bodies of work, everything should have a similar sound that feels like part of the same moment.”

That philosophy has shaped many of his biggest records. Wa$hington explains, “Most of the hits I’ve created I kind of knew were hits, considering they all had an element where I felt as though I tapped into an energy outside of myself, and no matter how much more tweaking, it was impossible to improve the track. That happened with both Raincheck and Money Talks.” Still, surprises have emerged along the way. “A surprise hit I would mention is either Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen, which was meant to be a carefree meme track but turned out to develop a fanbase, as well as Hyde, which is essentially an EDM/trap crossover that I didn’t necessarily expect to become as big as it did,” he states.

As for his creative direction moving forward, Wa$hington is clear that growth lies in balance. “When I’m working on new music, I balance experimenting with new sounds versus sticking to what my audience loves by not putting myself in a box creatively. In short, I’m always experimenting and taking in ideas from outside influences. I don’t necessarily have a specific sound, but I know my audience wants to hear some bars, and no matter if the song is more wavy and chill, I will definitely sprinkle in some thought-provoking bars.” Wa$hington’s approach reflects an artist who thrives on innovation while respecting the connection he has built with his listeners. Each project is not just a collection of tracks but a carefully curated statement, revealing his belief that music should capture both a moment and a message.