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Little Vic Interview

Little Vic

Contributed by Rahul on 5/8/08

Since his childhood days in Long Island, Little Vic has been surrounded by music. As a child he spent many hours in the studio with his Uncle Paulie, Big KO, and cousin DJ John John learning and perfecting his craft. It came as no surprise to those around him, that Vic decided to pursue a career in music; a career that he is kicking off with his debut album Each Dawn I Die that features guest appearances from heavyweights like DJ Premier and Kool G Rap. Vic recently granted us a minute of his time to give us his take on working with these legendary figures, his New York roots, and what he brings to the table as a new artist in the game.

Would you like introduce yourself to any readers not familiar with your work?
LV: I’m from Long Island. I rap and produce hip hop artists. I am not a”beat maker”, and I will not disappoint you if you have knowledge of what hip hop is supposed to sound like.

Being from New York you see so many of hip-hop’s most famous right in your back yard, how do you take what they have really built and add your own style to it? How has growing up in Long Island affected your hard hitting style of lyricism?
LV: Hip Hop is a city with many buildings and landmarks, and everyone wants to be an architect. Sometimes I have fun with the mic and do a retarded verse but for the most part Long Island provided me with plenty of characters and scenarios that I can put into more serious music.

Beyond your NYC upbringing, what were some of your other inspirations for this album?
LV: I just got all my studio equipment before we did this album, so having pro tools and all my new shit really made it easy to bang tracks out. I guess my biggest inspiration was that I had an assortment of music to choose from, and I want it all heard!

I understand that you’ve been in the studio since you were a kid with your uncle, how has that affected your growth as a musician and performer?
LV: It made me pretty on point in the studio now. I mean, being in the studio is my life. Making beats, or recording vocals is what I wake up to do every morning and I’m happy I can do that. My uncle started me off with an MPC-3000 and manual. I learned it in about a week, and never stopped creating.

You have some legendary guest artists on your album like Kool G Rap and DJ Premier. Did you get a chance to work with these guys in the studio? What was the experience like working with them (even if it happened to be indirectly)?
LV: Working with Primo in the studio is like watching an Iron Chef cook. There are only a few “Iron Chefs” in Hip Hop, and he is definitely one of them. Headqcourterz Studio is D&D Studios so working there I, definitely felt the hip hop in the walls. Kool G Rap is the coolest dude on earth, and a huge inspiration because he never compromised himself to sound like something he wasn’t.

What sets you apart from the plethora of hip-hop artists that exist today?
LV: A lot of producers want to be Premier or Buckwild or Just Blaze. A lot of rappers sound like the next dude. Technology is a double edged sword for hip hop because it has helped dudes who shouldn’t even be producing to produce. The Internet is flooded with web-MC’s and hip hop critics across the world. Create music for your fans, but the only way to obtain fans is to put your heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears into everything you release. I am in the studio right now listening to Brenda Holloway, is that normal for a rapper?

Thanks for your time. Do you have any last words or messages for our readers?
LV: Go grab Each Dawn I Die… It will prepare you for whats to come for Little Vic. Pick up Fred Nukes Deconstructing Fred!!! Don’t support hip hop radio stations that don’t play real hip hop. Stay close to your family, God Bless.