Faizan Ghor
[WRKINSILENCE](https://www.instagram.com/wrkinsilence/?hl=en) lets his name speak for himself. Pronounced “work in silence,” the name is inspired by the fourth law in Robert Greene's _48 Laws Of Power_, which states Always Say Less Than Necessary. If you’re trying to impress people with words, the more you say and the more common you appear, the less control you have.
Hailing from Riverside, California, the recording artist transcends the genres of emo, pop, R&B, and hip-hop, creating music for introverts all over the world. Boasting 57K followers on Instagram alone, WRKINSILENCE started out making music anonymously with a mask over his face. Breaking out in 2018 with his debut single "[Fall](https://soundcloud.com/wrkinsilence/fall)", his lyrics encompass the reality of life’s struggles from relationships to inner demons to mental health.
Fast forward to 2020, he’s officially revealed his identity and has received standout cosigns within the industry from various artists and athletes — including his song “Not In My Direction” being featured in [Jake Paul’s vlog.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hKpgPEZoNk&t=341s) One spin of his music, and you’ll understand why. Most recently, he released the official music video for his new single titled “Not Right Now,” following his previous release "[Oh Whoa](https://www.complex.com/music/2019/10/wrkinsilence-oh-woah-video)".
Still currently working at a gas station in San Bernardino, WRKINSILENCE is putting in the work as an independent artist and doing whatever he needs to exercise his passion. Flaunt caught up with him to discuss his roots in Southern California, his sound, why he ditched his mask, the independent grind, his loyal fanbase, new single “JEFE,” and more!
**Talk about the early stages wearing a mask & your intentions with that. What happened to the mask?**
I left my mask in my car outside of a studio in long beach, my mask was stolen and so was my laptop with all my music.
**How would you describe your sound?**
My sound is dark and gloomy, has that type of vibe. It has that hype behind it where at the same time, you can turn up to it. I have a diverse catalogue where there's room for whatever mood you're feeling.
**Being from Riverside, what was the household like growing up?**
Riverside is cool, it's not much going on in Riverside. The IE in general: Corona, Colton, San Bernardino. I work in San Bernardino, that's where it gets a little crazy. That side’s a little bit intense but when you're in Riverside, it's more of a chill vibe.
**How is it working at a gas station in San Bernardino, in that environment?**
That city is full of drug addicts who'll shoot for no reason. Literally 2 weeks ago I was working, the store I'm working at got shot up. My coworkers got in an argument with a customer and boom boom boom, shot it up for no reason and just left. That’s just a day in the life, it’s wild.
**Talk about dropping your first song and getting Jake Paul to feature it, how did that happen?**
Dropped my first song in 2018, I wasn’t really making music. I was fucking around. “Not In My Direction” randomly ended up on this blog, that's where I got traction with a lot of his people. “Yo, who’s this guy? This artist?” From there, it got momentum. It was random, I dropped the song on Spotify and Apple Music and it randomly happened.
**Bring us to the recording session for "Not In My Direction."**
“Not In My Direction" was a record that I made with my boy DJ Swanzy. He's the main DJ at all those clubs: Playhouse, 1 Oak, Nightingale. I'm not really into the club scene. I don't really like being around too many people like that. I left the club early one time and looked up a local studio in LA and made the song Not In My Direction.
**Talk about the early stages wearing a mask, what were your intentions?**
The mask was mainly to get people to focus on the music more so than my physical appearance. People are too judgemental these days. I care about the craft more than anything, the music. That was my main purpose for wearing the mask. A couple months ago, my car got broken into outside of Long Beach. They stole the mask and my laptop, which had a bunch of my music as well.
Honestly, some of my people said “we gotta find a replacement mask. We gotta figure out a different look for you” since the mask I had was a one of a kind mask. Before this incident happened, I reached out to the person that made the mask, and she said that the manufacturers stopped making the same dye and material. The closest replica that she would be able to make would’ve been a blue mask with a thicker fabric. At that point, I didn’t even want the mask. The idea of wearing a different mask was just corny to me. Also, every time I’d walk out with the mask on and try to keep up with that image, it was just extremely draining.
**How did bounce back from all the music being lost?**
One thing I fucked up on was not having a hard drive. Luckily for me most of my music is melodic. There’s a good lyrical substance to it too but because it's so melody-driven, I'm able to recreate those melodies on the spot.
**How does it feel to have no mask?**
It's cool. It's nothing different, but it's also like relaxing. I don't have to worry about keeping up with an image. It gets fucking hot, it gets hot as shit to wear that.
**You recently released “Not Right Now,” who or what inspired this record?**
That song was just a vibe. That record’s produced by [Dougie On The Beat,](https://allhiphop.com/features/dougie-on-the-beat-talks-chynna-working-with-meek-mill-and-more-2azq-sr0zE-0LL7frxZmdA) Meek’s boy. I made that record because we were working on my EP and I heard the beat, I’m like "yo I gotta drop this song ASAP.
**3 things you need in the studio?**
I need some substance, I need dark lighting, and some hot tea.
**How’s the independent grind?**
The independent grind is difficult. I keep hearing a lot about “how you should be independent, you should do this and that.” I'ma keep it real, I don't think there's a lot of real independent artists out there. The people that claim they're independent, they've got an investor, they’ve got a manager that have connections with people in the industry and basically a whole fuckin team around them. They're not truly independent. When I say independent, I’ve built my platform from the ground up and I’m not nearly close to where I want to be. I’ve done everything without having any connections.
**Can you describe your drip?**
You’ll only see me in dark colors. Nothing bright. Plain black tee, hoodie, or jacket. Black jeans or sweats and White Air Force 1s. On rotation.
**What inspires you the most?**
Connecting with people. Connecting with fans. I have a good cult fanbase. I have my fan phone right here to conversate with them, always texting them. I love hearing from the fans, them letting me know my music helps them with whatever. This one kid said “yo, your music helps me get through med school." What the fuck? My music has nothing to do with med school, but that's the power of music. Whatever issues you're going through, as long as you resonate with it, it can be a powerful remedy.
**What can we expect from your new single “JEFE”?**
"JEFE" talks about how you gotta boss up. Whenever enemies pray on your downfall, fuck em!" You have to keep doing you.
**Goals for yourself as an artist at this point of your career?**
One of my goals is to perform once the world opens up. I've never performed in my life. I also can’t wait to meet up with my fans and seeing them on a face to face level.
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