Ever since she completed her music degree at the University of Oregon and moved back to Portland a year or so ago, I have been meaning to check out Wynne’s new studio—situated in the bedroom of a ninth-floor condo on the Eastside. The studio, with a breathtaking view of the Portland skyline, is where the blonde-haired MC breathed fierce life into the bulk of her sparkling 2019 debut mixtape If I May.., which sees the artist genuinely confronting her privilege, setting admirable intentions, and slaying complicated, reference-heavy rhymes over monstrous production. A week before Wynne hit the road to join EarthGang’s “Mirrorland” tour, flanked by b-boy/hype man Rafael “Raf” Newman and engineer Itay Lerner, I went to chop it up with her about all the exciting moves she’s made, her decision to stay in Portland, and what she still hopes to bring home to the Rose City.
MERCURY: So how are you doing? I heard you slipped a disc?
WYNNE: I’ve had so many health issues in the last month, it’s been horrible. I just kind of have a bad back and then I got hit by that car—that was two years ago—and my back never really fixed itself. And so we started preparing for the show and for tour: I’m going to the gym everyday, I’m running on the treadmill—which I’m not supposed to do because I don’t have a disc between two of my vertebrae, so impact is not great. Ended up slipping a couple discs and couldn’t really walk for a couple days during rehearsal. Supposed to be wearing a back brace 24/7, but forgot it today. And I got really sick, I’m kinda getting over it now. Had a three-week virus, a cold. But feeling better! Ready to leave in a week!
