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Interviews Smooth Vega
Interviews Smooth Vega | Smooth Vega |
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| Written by Floyd Stevenson | ||
| Thursday, 31 January 2008 | ||
 We have been seeing the name Smooth Vega pop up over the past few years through various events, primarily in Funkytown (Ft. Worth). Then we started hearing about his cameos with underground rap icons like Chino XL, Crooked I, Royce Da 5’9, Sinful (El Pecador), DJ Smallz and had to wonder what this dude is doing to get up like he is. Peep what he was putting down…SSA: Tell us a little bit about yourself? Vega: For those unfamiliar with me, I go by the name smoothvega (one word), I was born on March 10, 1985 (3.10.85) and I was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. SSA: What got you into doing music and who were some of your biggest influences coming up? Vega: I don’t think there was one particular thing that got me into music, it was more of a variety of things throughout the course of my life that lead me into getting into music. I can truthfully say that I got hooked on rap when “Brenda’s Got A Baby” by 2pac dropped. I started growing an interest towards Hip-Hop during the whole MC Hammer/Vanilla Ice phase but it wasn’t until I heard 2pac that I really get hooked on Hip-Hop. The storytelling aspect of Hip-Hop fascinated me, just seeing how much words can influence someone’s life and capture different moods really inspired me to pursue it. I cite artists like 2pac, Boyz II Men, Bone Thugs N Harmony, & Jodeci as my biggest musical influences growing up, I grew up in the 90’s and those are the artist’s that I really looked up to in my generation. SSA: How long have you been doing your thing? Vega: I started writing and hitting studios when I was 13 years old (1998). I started recording when I was 15 years old (2000). I released my first amateur project when I was 17 years old (2002). I released my first official album when I was 19 years old (2004). This year is what I consider my tenth year anniversary doing this. It has by no means been an overnight movement. I’ve encountered a lot more then anyone may ever know in my pursuit of music. SSA: What's your hustle these days, what pays the bills? Vega: Outside of music, I have a Promotional Brand/All Age Event Series by the name Total Pandemonium. Total Pandemonium has shattered both attendance and revenue records in the 3 events that I have held since launching it in August 2007. The fourth Total Pandemonium Event is scheduled for February 8, 2008 @ La Rumba (2513 Rodeo Plaza - Fort Worth, Texas - 76106) and is entitled “Explosion” and it will be headlined by (Platinum Recording Artist) Frankie J & myself. Aside from that, I also own a graphic company along with my wife by the name Three One Eight Inc. (Log on to www.3oneeightinc.com) that offers everything from Webdesign/Myspace Layouts to Photography to Graphic/Flyer Artwork. SSA: Who are some artists you are feeling right now? Vega: Crooked I, Immortal Technique, Ludacris, Chamillionaire, Fabolous, & Chino XL. SSA: One of the main reasons we wanted to interview you is because we see your hustle. You have done some pretty high profile cameos including tracks with Chino XL, Crooked I, Royce Da 5’9, Sinful (El Pecador), a feature on DJ Smallz “Southern Smoke College Tour 2007” mixtape and a barrage of press. What is your secret? Vega: Being smart. I don’t believe in coincidences, I feel the reason I am in the position that I’m in is because I flat out earned it. I didn’t cheat my way to where I’m at, I just focused and worked hard on what works for me. I understand the concept of marketing, P.O.S., targeting demographics, & the importance of presentation and I feel in a lot of ways that’s why I have been blessed with a lot of the opportunities that I’ve had. “Real recognize real” is a quote that often gets whored around but in my case I feel it’s what truthfully sums up my grind (from press to the music to the fan base). Now, don’t get it twisted that’s not on some hood shit that’s on some real shit because when I got the opportunity to work Chino XL, Crooked I, Royce Da 5’9, & Sinful (El Pecador) on the tracks that are featured on my forthcoming album “3.10.85”, it wasn’t about money with them… it was about my approach, my hustle, & my hunger and them dudes could detect that and that’s why they fucked with me (the same thing can be said for any press outlet that I have been featured in). Getting that type of respect from Crook, Chino, Royce, & Sin meant more to me then them guys will ever know because knowing that they looked at me and saw my movement and respected it, and that coming from them was the ultimate compliment. As far as DJ Smallz, I was with Smallz on New Year’s Eve and he basically let me know that he was feeling my grind and that he personally wants to break in my next single. When it all breaks down, I feel it comes down to intelligence and knowledge towards every angle of the music industry…. It’s not ALL about promotion or ALL about image, it’s a combination of all those things (and more) that have to click on every cylinder to have true success in this business. There is not one man that has had real success in this business that didn’t apply to. I study success stories in hopes that one I can be in that position one day too. Think outside the box. SSA: What else is in the works right now? Any power moves lined up for 08’? Vega: First things first, I plan to release my long awaited album “3.10.85” and from there it’s on. I’m a hit the road and get a nice PR lined up and take it from there one city at a time. 2008 is going to be a very active year for the Total Pandemonium Series which I’m planning to take to another plateau this year. I got some shit lined up with DJ Smallz and I’m also working with Professional Boxer Alfonso Gomez (April 12 on HBO : Miguel Cotto Vs. Alfonso Gomez) and his record label/film company on some upcoming projects (I actually recently did a Music Video with his artist’s Hy3rid which can be found on youtube.com). In addition to that, I have several publications picking up features on me and I also got offered a spot on a tour that starts in April with an established platinum recording artist but nothing has been made official with that as of yet. I plan to really make some noise and not just focus on a local base but a national base. There is a lot more things in the works for me in 2008 that I can’t necessarily discuss but one thing I am excited about that I can announce is that my track “Not What You Think” (Feat. Crooked I, Royce Da 5’9, & Sinful) off my forthcoming “3.10.85” will debut on “The World Famous : Wake Up Show” in a few weeks. SSA: We have carved out a niche asking the real questions in our interviews. How do you feel about where our country is headed and where do you see it going if we don’t change course? Vega: I don’t believe in politics, I believe in god. I think the thing that scares me the most is shit like Scientology and how several celebrities are endorsing that type of shit. It’s bad enough that the word of god isn’t getting out around the world as it should and it used to, but now you have all these media outlets brainwashing our next generation with all this crazy bullshit. I’m not one to share my beliefs or opinions but I truthfully feel that if we don’t spread god more then not only is our country going to be a terrible environment to live in but so will our whole world. SSA: Where do you see smoothvega in the next 10 years? Vega: By no means, am I arrogant but I am also not blind and I know that thus far in my career, I have accomplished a lot. I feel if god blesses me to live to see the next 10 years, I will finally get my proper due and become one of the most celebrated artist’s to ever lace a track (especially back home in Fort Worth). It’s crazy because there was a long period of time (even up to a point now) where I felt I was getting the cold shoulder and going completely unnoticed even though I was staying just as active and even more active in a lot of cases then a lot of the artists that we’re getting publicized. I feel in the next 10 years my résumé will grow so much that it will be virtually impossible to not acknowledge me and what I have done. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not striving to prove anything to anybody because I actually got a fan base that has proven time in & SSA: Any advice for artist’s out there on the come up? Vega: Be yourself. No one is better at being you then you. Don’t try to emulate what another person is doing, have your own identity and believe me it will carry you further then you going out and making what‘s hot for the moment. Quality over quantity, make sure the quality of your presentation/music is on point from top to bottom so it can look/sound as good as possible. Work smarter opposed to working harder and focus on your market. Let’s be realistic here, no one in the history of music has music that appeals to every single audience, for example : 2pac (based off record sales) is the most successful rapper of all-time and Pac definitely didn’t appeal to every audience. You didn’t hear Pac on country radio stations, on rock stations, on pop stations, etc. No matter how much any of us may want music to be colorless and let the music speak for itself, it’s also a business and the reality is that your music isn’t for everybody so focus on who it’s for, figure it out and target them. There is the way things are supposed to be and then there’s the way things really are, I’ve learned that from experience and having endless conversations with some of my closest peers in the game. Don’t talk about it just be about it, don’t try to convince anyone of what your doing just place it from of them and let them draw their own conclusions. Someone once told me “Vega, the thing I like about you the most is that you don’t sit here and tell people what your doing because your too busy doing it…. You just do it and let people talk about it when you do it”, I couldn’t agree more. SSA: Any shouts outs? Vega: I got to give a shout to the high and almighty… Without god I wouldn’t be anything…. Big shout out to all the fans/people that are continuously behind me and making my presence felt. The support never goes unnoticed. Also, I got a tremendously talented artist (who is also my cousin) that is on my record label Self Made Movement that I have been working with and that has been in development for the past 4 years (since he was 14 years old) that goes by the name of Exstyle, it would mean so much to me if ya’ll can check him out @ www.myspace.com/exstyle. Other then that, be looking for “3.10.85” to drop very soon…. Kay-Won, what up son! Thanks for reading, stay blessed….. Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)www.smoothvega.com www.myspace.com/smoothvega Photography By: www.3oneeightinc.com               |
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