William Casanova
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., United States | Established. Jan 01, 2015 | SELF
Music
Press
If you happen to be walking down a DC sidewalk or are traveling underground in NYC one day and hear a sound you haven’t heard in over a decade, no you’re not imagining things. Reminiscent to the 90s music that made you sing into a hairbrush and slow grind the air, there’s a DC-area native that is ready to give you that old thing back.
He’ll tell you he’s “fat, black, and ugly as ever,” but there’s something wooing about the voice of William Casanova. Also known by his social media moniker, Fat Boy Crank, the 23-year-old from the burbs of Clinton, Maryland is evidence that the R&B we once knew and loved is alive and ready to take back the reigns. Stating that he knew he was destined for greatness since he was a little boy, Will has developed his own sound based on what he’s known his entire life: It takes a certain amount of humility and confidence in your craft to take your talents to the streets. William performs on street corners, subways, and wherever else people are willing to listen. At first listen to Will’s latest single “Selfish Ways” you’ll think of Sisqo before Dru Hill returned to the streets of Baltimore: passion mixed with pride over sensual melodies. Traveling through the artist’s SoundCloud page you’ll experience several familiarities to your own life: unrequited love, your best sexual encounter, the pain that comes with pleasure, self-doubt following a claim of self-worth. These are many truths that have seemingly faded to black in today’s R&B scene, as far as male singers go. - By Queen Li
Here’s a young man coming from an extensive background of musicians with a genuine passion for REAL music. For William, music is more than a hobby or something to do, instead, it’s a form of expression as a songwriter, many of the music you’ll hear from William are based on experience.
He is also a street performer who travels between D.C. and New York performing in Subway Stations and on city streets. This shows that it is very clear that nothing is just handed to you. However, his strong will and determination is a direct reflection of his personal life and love for his craft.
William’s goal is to re-direct the public’s focus to real R&B, which is what inspired his movement The Return of an Era, referencing the era where R&B was appreciated. To bring back something that has been missing for some time now, the perception of music as an art, focusing on the integrity of music versus, what’s hot right now.
Although there is no official release date for his project titled, The Sunrise William’s new single, Selfish Ways is now on sell on iTunes. Also, you can check him out this Saturday night at EchoStage where he will be performing as an opening act for rapper, Yo Gotti and Wednesday, June 17 at Pure Lounge nightclub. - By Quionne Flythe
Up and coming R&B singer William Casanova is kicking 2015 off with a little bit of a reminder with his single titled “Selfish Ways.”
Singing out, “So for the first time, this what I’m gone do / I’m gone worry bout me, you can worry bout you – like you’ve always done,” the singer lets his soon-to-be ex-lover know that when you’re greedy with your love, you get left alone to your selfish ways. - by Ni'Kesia in GROWN & SEXY, MUSIC
This Washington, D.C. Native says its music by any means, he's not just a writer or singer but a detailed hand in his craft of music! He's restoring R&B one track at a time embracing real life situations, drama, love, seduction one single at a time! Remember the name William Casanova he's emerging and carrying his own sound of originality! - Shadyville DJ's
William Casanova is a building movement out of Washington, DC. He has a, ” By any means necessary”, type of attitude when it comes to his music. Not only does he, produce, write & arrange his own music, but he also is a Street performer who travels between DC & New York performing in subway stations and on the streets . This started because he understood that just because he was talented, didn’t mean that anyone owed him anything. He knew he had to work hard for the dream he wanted. So he went out to and grabbed it. His talent goes hand in hand with his ambition. He believes in being relatable & real. That transcends from his personal life, to his music. - TaniaOnTheScene
Live Interview By TONY REDZ AKA MR. 24/7 , WPGC 95.5 - TONY REDZ AKA MR. 24/7
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
The Man Behind The Voice
William Casanova is a 23 year old singer, songwriter, and producer born in Washington, DC. He was raised in Clinton, Maryland with his mother where he lived the majority of his adolescent and teenage years. He spent his weekends with his Father in the Northeast region of Washington, DC, where he discovered his love for music. William’s father, David Pannell, is a talented bass guitarist and singer with various gospel quartet groups in the DC area. He took William to his rehearsals and performances, giving William the foundation which he built his passion for music.Based on the exposure given to him by his father, William began to create his own path in music. He started playing the piano at the age of 5 and the Alto Saxophone at 10. It wasn’t until age 11 when he realized that he had a voice. William started singing in his church and middle school choir. He continued his musical journey and started making beats. At that point, he had earned his self the nick name, “Fatboy” which followed him into his high school years. William wrote his first song at the age of 13 entitled, “If I was your Boyfriend” for his 9th grade crush. It was at that point he learned how to take his feelings and experiences and translate them into soundtracks of life.
William used all of these skills to create a unique sound for himself. He idolized the musical integrity in 90’s R&B music. He channeled that to integrate an old-school feel, with a new-school sound. His voice and talent has allowed him to perform at places such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and the world renowned Apollo Theater in New York City. William has also had local musical success within the DC based musical genre, “Go-Go”. He has sung with local legendary bands such as 3rd Dimension Band and The Reaction Band. In 2013, William released his first CD entitled, “The Three-Year Engagement”, a 17 track mixtape recorded over a span of three years. The mixtape received great local notoriety, and put William on the front stream as one of the best up and coming vocalists in the DC area.
In 2014, William took a step further in accomplishing his dreams and started doing street performances, singing covers of popular songs. He traveled between Washington DC and New York City at least once a week while still working a full time job. The outpour of support was tremendous, with people of all walks of life stopping on the street and in the subway. Crowds began standing for 30 minutes or more, making requests for William to sing. As of now, William is more focused than ever. He dedicates every waking moment to being successful, perfecting his craft, and striving to be one of the best singers that has ever lived. He is currently working on a new project entitled “The Sunrise”, set to release in the summer of 2015.
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