BY BRITTANY DANIELLE for WEEKLY VOLCANO 6/12/2026 |
Walter the Rapper did not set out to make a debut album. He set out to have fun.
The South Sound artist started making music the same way countless teenagers do: hanging out with friends, writing verses, and recording whatever they could.
Inspired by Odd Future, the Los Angeles rap collective that helped define youth culture in the early 2010s, Walter and his friends started creating music of their own. Led by Tyler, the Creator, the group built a devoted following through irreverent humor, skate culture, self-produced music, and a do-it-yourself approach that resonated with a generation of teenagers. For Walter, it was proof that a group of friends could pick up a microphone, create something authentic, and build a community around it. More than a decade later, not much has changed.
Walter is still making music with his friends. He is still chasing the energy that first pulled him into hip-hop. The difference is that those years of singles, EPs, collaborations, and live performances have now culminated in Forever in the Circle, his first official full-length album with Tacoma producer Drew the Alchemist.
For Walter, the album is about celebrating the journey.
“I had a great time making this album,” he said. “I know we have more great memories to make performing this project for venues all around.”
That attitude has been a defining part of Walter’s career from the beginning.
Growing up in Olympia as the youngest of six siblings, music was always around him. His older brothers and sisters introduced him to artists and records that continue to influence him today. Early inspirations included Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, Lil Wayne, and Eminem. Later, artists like Lil Peep, Juice WRLD, XXXTentacion, and Suicideboys became part of the soundtrack for a generation of young rappers finding their own voices.
What began as a hobby eventually became a passion, but Walter never lost sight of what drew him to music in the first place. Fun.
“The first time I really thought this was for me was probably the first big 100-plus-person event I played when I was around 17,” he said. “Once we started playing shows that size and bigger, I became very passionate about performance art. There is no better feeling.”
That love of performing lives throughout Forever in the Circle. While Walter is capable of writing introspective songs about depression, love, and life’s struggles, this record is built for movement.
“I want the fans to turn this album up full blast and rage,” he said. “This album is meant for pure headbanger good vibes.”
And after listening to it from beginning to end, I told Walter it was my new summer jam. I have been blasting it in my car on longer drives since he shared it with me.
The spirit of fun also carried into the recording process. Produced entirely by Tacoma’s Drew the Alchemist, the project grew from years of collaboration and friendship.
“Drew had offered to produce a whole tape for me,” Walter said. “We have very good chemistry, and I love his work, so we went for it.”
The pair recorded the album in their usual studio environment, focusing less on chasing trends and more on creating something they genuinely enjoyed making, which is the only way to create art when it comes down to it. Make something you love, and it’s inevitable that others will love it too.
“It was regular good vibes while we worked on this project,” Walter said. “Good homies just wilding out and making bangers.”
For all the growth reflected on the album, Walter credits Drew with helping sharpen his approach. Known for recording quickly and relying on instinct, Walter found himself paying closer attention to details throughout the process.
“I usually tend to make my music very quickly and more freestyle vibes,” Walter said. “Drew led me to be more focused and articulate with the slight changes and edits we did on the album.”
The album is already finding an audience. Three tracks from Forever in the Circle landed on the popular YouTube channel Sad Lyrics, and the song “Dollar $igns” was shared by professional fighter Mike Perry with his nearly 1 million Instagram followers.
Walter and Drew will also perform songs from the album live on KAOS 89.3 FM on July 2, adding another milestone to a project that continues to build momentum. The Olympia station has a long history of hosting influential Northwest artists, including Nirvana and Modest Mouse.
Away from music, Walter is currently focused on helping his family navigate a far more important challenge.
His 6-year-old nephew, Joseph, was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and is undergoing extensive treatment. To help raise awareness and support the family, Walter has partnered with the clothing brand Can’t Die Dreaming on a “F*CK CANCER” T-shirt campaign.
Proceeds will help support Joseph’s treatment journey, and Walter is also working toward benefit shows and events to further assist the family. Keep an eye out for details as information comes.
For Walter, community has always been part of the music. Whether it is making records with friends, performing for crowds, or rallying support for family in difficult times, the same values continue to guide his work.
The title Forever in the Circle feels fitting. It is a nod to friendship, collaboration, and the people who have been there since the beginning. For an artist who never stopped treating music like something to be shared with the people around him, that circle appears to be getting bigger every year.
Follow Walter on Instagram at @waltertherapper. More information on benefits for his nephew will be updated there as well.
Follow Drew the Alchemist on Instagram at @drew_the_alchemist.
