Vinny Rebel

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Interview with Vinny Rebel

Published on 3/13/2004

By Artistopia

Q. At what age did you realize you wanted to become a music artist and why? I guess I was born with it, people always said its what they'd see me doing being sure i would be a star or something . I just love a good crowd and I'm always putting on a show people so this is the only way i can be myself . Q. Most music artists have that special someone or thing that influenced their decision to do music. Did anyone or something in your life play a major role in influencing you to go into the music business? Yes, Ice-T put up "Rhyme Syndicate" in the 80's, a indie record label that enabled him to produce, edit, approve, publish and distribute his work independently, giving him the power to be heard, take his peeps off da street and go legit I share that vision and likewise & believe that's the only way I can keep my music real and get my message out without some investor telling me what to change and what to keep. Who needs a major label to sign when you can sign yourself ? In other words... Why be the Label's bitch when you can be da pimp ? Q. In terms of the music, which major artist(s) influenced your style and why? That Question is hard to answer without missing anyone, the list is endless ! but I tell you this, in my breed of emcees you can't sound like another raper, you have to be original ! "You wanna make it ?...keep it real and be yourself ! " Q. With so many independent artists trying to make it, what makes you stand out from the competition? First off, my style is unique, I don't see competition ! Second, I see a world thats twisted & corrupt by the $bill, people getting in this business for a quick buck if not for a scandal, I see people taking their audience for fools and filling their heads with lies and garbage... They're no better then the government ! 3rd, I'm not competing at all ! I'm just expressing my self !My music gets heard because of the message, thats what counts ! Weather I'm on stage or on da block it don't make no difference to me, I still be doin my thang & dat'll neva change ! Q. Music industry professionals are quick to say that being an artist means to gracefully fit a marketable niche in the industry. If you were offered an opportunity that asked you to be something you are not, would you do it to get your foot in the door? Never ! I've had the opportunity to sell out quite a few times in my life. In fact, those are the only shots at a paying record deal I've ever been offered ! Too hard for "Commercial Rap" but too righteous for the "Ganxta Image" I said F*ck it ! if they willing to use my skills to handle their biz i can do it for my self & handle my own biz ! Its a free country right ? what makes you think i cant be my own boss ? I got my own style and now I'm coming out with my own label , I be doin' what i feel like & thats what am'a keep Dion' . Look out for Trinity Records yo , we coming soon ! Q. Making music is one thing, selling it is another. What types of strategies do you use to promoting your artistic work and getting it heard by the proper professionals? Production is 1 thing, but publishing is a whole other different game and if you thought making an album costs alot wait till you look at the costs for publishing ! As for the actual strategies I'm using to sell ... Straight up hustle baby ! I hit da streets & talk to da peeps sellin' my music directly to the listeners as a first step to makin' some income from self distribution, building solid Vinny Rebel fan-base & a name for Trinity Records, groin' slowly but surely by not skippin' steps . We got a track called "When Da Time Comes" on heavy rotation on 103.7FM @ www.K103radio.com since it hit #1 in summer 2003 + I got "Livin' in Poverty" shinin' #1 at the top of www.Artistopia.com's all-time top 100 music charts for quite a while now so i guess the word'a mouth is gettin' around and that helps too . I'm also into usin' all the help i can get for exposure on the web's many resources. Q. In regards to wheeling and dealing, how important do you feel business knowledge is to making it in an industry filled with much heartache? It's CRUCIAL to any company to know about the business their into, The Addy is administration@trinityrecords.ca If you or anyone you know feels as strongly as i do about independence in this business . maybe we need to hook up ! Q. Let's fast forward to 5 years from now. What advice would you offer to struggling independent artists? The rules, Always be yourself, Never refuse help, Always be available for work, Don't be afraid to ask, work harder then you can & never give up ! oh, 1 more thing, once you're Cd's out, you the artist, are nothing more then a product, and the only thing publishing cares about is not you, but the product you are ! So take your business and your products seriously ! Q. Most successful artists are involved in charitable organizations that stand for a cause that hits close to home. In that regard, once you reach success, what charitable cause(s) would you like to be involved in and why? Mine is fightin' poverty, racism & the elements of corruption that control the system, by exposing its core truth to the surface. I also hope that my success will inspire the next generation of street kids & teens to get out of da struggle, especially, for all people to know that no matter what anybody says, there is always hope for those who truly believe ! Thats the message I'm gettin' out there man... If i can make a difference, i believe you can do the same ! The journey of a million miles begins with one foot-step... so get to it ! Well, we thank you for taking the time to interview with us and certainly wish you the best in your music career endeavors. There you have it ladies and gentlemen, an inside look into the mind of an independent artist struggling to bring their hard work to fruition in an industry where perseverance and thick skin means survival. No one said it would be easy.



Article Credits and References

Shout outs 2 Kodiak, Dj JamRick, Gold Dee, Dj Albator & everybody at 3D Productions Keepin it real . Shout outs to ma homie Reggie Charles... Yeah I got yo back ! To my once violent and now very dead father, to my haters including my mom... to my people on the streets, THANKS, IT MADE ME STRONG ! TO MY KIDS & GOD, YOU ALL I GOT ! EVERYBODY, ONE LOVE !

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Interview with Vinny Rebel