http://www.westsiderap.com/interviews-vboy.htm
http://www.westsiderap.com/audio/VBoy-FourCorners.mp3
WSR: Tell me bout your life growing up? I know you came from a big family and after ya mother's passing you ran into some trouble and did some time. How has your upbringin molded you into the man you are today?
I'd say growing up taught me its better to sell dope then to do dope. See I come from a long line of fiends. My momma was clean but with eight children and no men in the house she couldn't do much. All that work just cleaned her out. She was only 50 when she passed thats why my tattoo for her says "no more pain" Shit I taught me to be a man.
WSR: How did you get started in this rap game?
My boy Mack got down. He would write rhymes for me cause I had a better voice. Once he moved away and I was out on my bang, I started freestyling with the other BG'z and when the game got me some fades, I bought my first couple of pieces of gear and thats that.
WSR: How did you come up with the name V-Boy?
After my mom passed I did some time and got sent to a group home where I ran in to some Vietnamese Crips that went by the name V-BOY's. I dug the name and change the V to Violent due to my arrest record plus I've always had a thing for the letter V cuss my name is Vince.
WSR: Who were your influences comin up?
Way back Rakim, Slick Rick, Ice-T, Eazy-E & Ice Cube Recently, Andre Nickatina, Andre 3000, Chunk, and E-40.
WSR: Who do you wanna work with in the near future? And who in the distant future?
I wanna fuck with the Jacka and Husslah from the Mob Figaz, The Game, Mitchy Slick & Ecay Uno. These are people I feel I can touch. On a mainstream level I'm feeling Joe Budden. With beats it would be Nick Peace & Sean-T.
WSR: What's the official release date for the album?
October 28th for the bay folks. It should be at rasputin's, cdbaby, cduniverse, friscostreetshow and madmuzik's online websites for purchase shortly after for you outta town kats.
WSR: I'm feelin that album cover. It's hella tight... and very unique. Where did you come up with that concept? And why the name "Studio Fix?"
My wife owns a Mac compact (makeup for the guys) that said it on the back,. She toy'd with the idea and it made sense. I was rebuilding my studio at the time (which I had to buy back from some bitch I dated who helped pay for it) and music is my drug. I figured the bay sound was played so everyone could use a fix of my shit. I'm hear to give you the product, fix you up so to speak.
WSR: Tell me about the making of "Studio Fix." You got A-Wax on there, Big Rich, Equipto and more. Sounds like a hot line-up. Who handled the production for the album?
We got mostly new bootys on here (I hate to sound like everyone else). I did some of the beats, Vik Bhalla, Davey D, J-Staxxx, Studio Pete, Dayme, Shiesty, Taz Twisted, and my folks Creed A.D from Unafeyed.
WSR: How'd you hook-up with A-Wax, Big Rich, Equipto, etc. etc. for your album? Are these folx that you knew prior?
I thank the Siccness & Raptalk for the chance to work with these hitters, e-mails and cellphones, mouthpiece and mouthpiece, that's what it took. I chose the people that I thought would best contrast my style without being to different from my style and could draw some attention to the project.
WSR: What's your favourite track off ya album and why?
"Thursday." It's a song I did for my wife and it is very special to me. It's the story of how we met and it's exactlly how it happened, damn near word for word. She loves it so I do too. Besides that it would be "B4 Me" cause it's a message to a couple of people in my life that deserved to know what I'm about and what I've done for them.
WSR: What's the biggest difference between "If These Trees Could Talk" and "Studio Fix?"
The two biggest diffrences is patience & structure. Its gone from a bunch of drunk drug dealers who didn't give a fuck, people who just wanted to stick they chest out in they own hood to a 24 hour a day business. Our mixdown, beats, song structure, and attitude are much more carefull. We're no longer in a rush to hit shelves anymore.
WSR: What's next for you and Alleyway Entertainment?
We got the mixtape "6 Dollars & 50 Cents In A Nikey Shoebox" coming, the new Unafeyed cd with the first single "Freak Of Nature" featuring Techn9ne and the new V-BOY solo which so far may be titled "F@#! V-BOY" but that ain't concrete yet.
WSR: What is going on with the Unafeyed Souljahz? You got them workin on the album, anything else?
The guys from the U are doing their thing with our cousin company Skrillkon Vali ENT out in San Jose. It's my homie Creeds label. I'm focused on me as a solo act for now. Me and Kuwan might be doing a cd titled "2 From The U" soon but you may see less and less collaborations due to how bizzy we both are.
WSR: Tell me bout the mixtape "$6.50 In A Nike Shoebox." Who ya got on that and when's that gonna drop?
Were gonna have a grip load of up and comers on this cd. Maybe some features, a remix of the song my group did with Techn9ne and a remix of the song I did with Nickatina. Its all good, some mainstream beats some original beats some exclusives it should be a pretty hype album.
WSR: Mixtapes have always been real popular along the East Coast and Down South. Lately, alotta West Coast artists/labels have been puttin out mixtapes. What's your outlook on mixtapes? Inparticular, Bay Area mixtapes.
I think they're a great way to keep your name in the public eye without having to spend the money on a real album. It's also a good way to sharpen your skills and try out new ideas.
WSR: For your next album, how do you think you'll be able to improve/grow from this one? What would ya do differently?
The mix. It's always the mix. I learn stuff everytime about how to pan or EQ or compress better so that will improve. And the beats. I can't stand the triton. You can bet there will be no more triton beats on my next album. I will contract out the better production even though the beats on my shit are tight, thats always gotta improve.
WSR: What happened at the show in Gilroy on September 5th? You had an altercation with one of your old homies?
I put hands on a dude I used to run with who is also a member of Unafeyed for calling my wife a bitch cause he believes she was the reason I quit fucking with every cat in my click. The real reason is that I see no future in living the way they do and was tired of supporting those that did not support me.
WSR: Being a Bay Area artist, what are your thoughts on the Bay scene in general?
Its a joke. Too many old artist putting out under par shit and eating off there once great names. Too many new cats coming out with sorry shit cause its easy. Too many fans quick to pass judgement on others like they could ever do better. Too many business men, not enough artists.
WSR: Where do you fit into the Bay scene, with it being so flooded.
New Bay
WSR: What are your thoughts on "The New Bay?" They been takin a lil heat lately from some of the Bay veterans but have also been recieving support from others veterans.
I thinks it's good. I think change is needed. If your an artist that's mad, I can understand. I would be scared too if I thought some hot youngsta was gonna take food off my plate. If you're an artist that supports it, cool, theres plenty of money for all, there's a market for everybody.
WSR: There's been some talk within the Bay about artists and especially producers chargin too much for a feature or beat. What's your take on all that?
I aint gonna lie, people around the Bay charge way too much for there services. $500 a beat, $1000 a verse and can't guaruntee you no sales. Only a hand full of these artist we grew up on could get me as much sales as I could with the right beats, promotion, and packaging. I plan to invest in the beats, the website, the t-shirts, stickers, flyers, etc. If I decide I want a feature, it will either be a hot up-and-comer or a out of state type. I'm tired of bay rappers style.
WSR: You're a frequent user of the siccness and raptalk. In fact, you have your own forum over at RapTalk. What do you like about those websites and what's the main benefit for you from using them?
The network! Getting to chop it with people worldwide and share your art with the the public. It helps you grow as an artist, getting that honest feedback, not like homies from the hood that love your shit cause you scream out the set all day. Plus you get to meet and collab with the industry's next big artist, producers, and graphic designers. I wouldn't be shit without those two websites.
WSR: What is ya goal in this rap game?
To stay true to the art form but eat off it at the same time. Is that possible" I dont know but I'mma try.
WSR: Any final comments you wanna make to ya fans?
Albums out at the end of October. Check it at rasputins.com, friscostreetshow.com, cdbaby.com, v-boy.com and music retail stores.
Later!!
http://www.westsiderap.com/audio/VBoy-FourCorners.mp3
WSR: Tell me bout your life growing up? I know you came from a big family and after ya mother's passing you ran into some trouble and did some time. How has your upbringin molded you into the man you are today?
I'd say growing up taught me its better to sell dope then to do dope. See I come from a long line of fiends. My momma was clean but with eight children and no men in the house she couldn't do much. All that work just cleaned her out. She was only 50 when she passed thats why my tattoo for her says "no more pain" Shit I taught me to be a man.
WSR: How did you get started in this rap game?
My boy Mack got down. He would write rhymes for me cause I had a better voice. Once he moved away and I was out on my bang, I started freestyling with the other BG'z and when the game got me some fades, I bought my first couple of pieces of gear and thats that.
WSR: How did you come up with the name V-Boy?
After my mom passed I did some time and got sent to a group home where I ran in to some Vietnamese Crips that went by the name V-BOY's. I dug the name and change the V to Violent due to my arrest record plus I've always had a thing for the letter V cuss my name is Vince.
WSR: Who were your influences comin up?
Way back Rakim, Slick Rick, Ice-T, Eazy-E & Ice Cube Recently, Andre Nickatina, Andre 3000, Chunk, and E-40.
WSR: Who do you wanna work with in the near future? And who in the distant future?
I wanna fuck with the Jacka and Husslah from the Mob Figaz, The Game, Mitchy Slick & Ecay Uno. These are people I feel I can touch. On a mainstream level I'm feeling Joe Budden. With beats it would be Nick Peace & Sean-T.
WSR: What's the official release date for the album?
October 28th for the bay folks. It should be at rasputin's, cdbaby, cduniverse, friscostreetshow and madmuzik's online websites for purchase shortly after for you outta town kats.
WSR: I'm feelin that album cover. It's hella tight... and very unique. Where did you come up with that concept? And why the name "Studio Fix?"
My wife owns a Mac compact (makeup for the guys) that said it on the back,. She toy'd with the idea and it made sense. I was rebuilding my studio at the time (which I had to buy back from some bitch I dated who helped pay for it) and music is my drug. I figured the bay sound was played so everyone could use a fix of my shit. I'm hear to give you the product, fix you up so to speak.
WSR: Tell me about the making of "Studio Fix." You got A-Wax on there, Big Rich, Equipto and more. Sounds like a hot line-up. Who handled the production for the album?
We got mostly new bootys on here (I hate to sound like everyone else). I did some of the beats, Vik Bhalla, Davey D, J-Staxxx, Studio Pete, Dayme, Shiesty, Taz Twisted, and my folks Creed A.D from Unafeyed.
WSR: How'd you hook-up with A-Wax, Big Rich, Equipto, etc. etc. for your album? Are these folx that you knew prior?
I thank the Siccness & Raptalk for the chance to work with these hitters, e-mails and cellphones, mouthpiece and mouthpiece, that's what it took. I chose the people that I thought would best contrast my style without being to different from my style and could draw some attention to the project.
WSR: What's your favourite track off ya album and why?
"Thursday." It's a song I did for my wife and it is very special to me. It's the story of how we met and it's exactlly how it happened, damn near word for word. She loves it so I do too. Besides that it would be "B4 Me" cause it's a message to a couple of people in my life that deserved to know what I'm about and what I've done for them.
WSR: What's the biggest difference between "If These Trees Could Talk" and "Studio Fix?"
The two biggest diffrences is patience & structure. Its gone from a bunch of drunk drug dealers who didn't give a fuck, people who just wanted to stick they chest out in they own hood to a 24 hour a day business. Our mixdown, beats, song structure, and attitude are much more carefull. We're no longer in a rush to hit shelves anymore.
WSR: What's next for you and Alleyway Entertainment?
We got the mixtape "6 Dollars & 50 Cents In A Nikey Shoebox" coming, the new Unafeyed cd with the first single "Freak Of Nature" featuring Techn9ne and the new V-BOY solo which so far may be titled "F@#! V-BOY" but that ain't concrete yet.
WSR: What is going on with the Unafeyed Souljahz? You got them workin on the album, anything else?
The guys from the U are doing their thing with our cousin company Skrillkon Vali ENT out in San Jose. It's my homie Creeds label. I'm focused on me as a solo act for now. Me and Kuwan might be doing a cd titled "2 From The U" soon but you may see less and less collaborations due to how bizzy we both are.
WSR: Tell me bout the mixtape "$6.50 In A Nike Shoebox." Who ya got on that and when's that gonna drop?
Were gonna have a grip load of up and comers on this cd. Maybe some features, a remix of the song my group did with Techn9ne and a remix of the song I did with Nickatina. Its all good, some mainstream beats some original beats some exclusives it should be a pretty hype album.
WSR: Mixtapes have always been real popular along the East Coast and Down South. Lately, alotta West Coast artists/labels have been puttin out mixtapes. What's your outlook on mixtapes? Inparticular, Bay Area mixtapes.
I think they're a great way to keep your name in the public eye without having to spend the money on a real album. It's also a good way to sharpen your skills and try out new ideas.
WSR: For your next album, how do you think you'll be able to improve/grow from this one? What would ya do differently?
The mix. It's always the mix. I learn stuff everytime about how to pan or EQ or compress better so that will improve. And the beats. I can't stand the triton. You can bet there will be no more triton beats on my next album. I will contract out the better production even though the beats on my shit are tight, thats always gotta improve.
WSR: What happened at the show in Gilroy on September 5th? You had an altercation with one of your old homies?
I put hands on a dude I used to run with who is also a member of Unafeyed for calling my wife a bitch cause he believes she was the reason I quit fucking with every cat in my click. The real reason is that I see no future in living the way they do and was tired of supporting those that did not support me.
WSR: Being a Bay Area artist, what are your thoughts on the Bay scene in general?
Its a joke. Too many old artist putting out under par shit and eating off there once great names. Too many new cats coming out with sorry shit cause its easy. Too many fans quick to pass judgement on others like they could ever do better. Too many business men, not enough artists.
WSR: Where do you fit into the Bay scene, with it being so flooded.
New Bay
WSR: What are your thoughts on "The New Bay?" They been takin a lil heat lately from some of the Bay veterans but have also been recieving support from others veterans.
I thinks it's good. I think change is needed. If your an artist that's mad, I can understand. I would be scared too if I thought some hot youngsta was gonna take food off my plate. If you're an artist that supports it, cool, theres plenty of money for all, there's a market for everybody.
WSR: There's been some talk within the Bay about artists and especially producers chargin too much for a feature or beat. What's your take on all that?
I aint gonna lie, people around the Bay charge way too much for there services. $500 a beat, $1000 a verse and can't guaruntee you no sales. Only a hand full of these artist we grew up on could get me as much sales as I could with the right beats, promotion, and packaging. I plan to invest in the beats, the website, the t-shirts, stickers, flyers, etc. If I decide I want a feature, it will either be a hot up-and-comer or a out of state type. I'm tired of bay rappers style.
WSR: You're a frequent user of the siccness and raptalk. In fact, you have your own forum over at RapTalk. What do you like about those websites and what's the main benefit for you from using them?
The network! Getting to chop it with people worldwide and share your art with the the public. It helps you grow as an artist, getting that honest feedback, not like homies from the hood that love your shit cause you scream out the set all day. Plus you get to meet and collab with the industry's next big artist, producers, and graphic designers. I wouldn't be shit without those two websites.
WSR: What is ya goal in this rap game?
To stay true to the art form but eat off it at the same time. Is that possible" I dont know but I'mma try.
WSR: Any final comments you wanna make to ya fans?
Albums out at the end of October. Check it at rasputins.com, friscostreetshow.com, cdbaby.com, v-boy.com and music retail stores.
Later!!
