When I started blogging, one of my visions for the
future was to create a medium where hip hop fans could discover new, talented
artists who had not yet ‘made it’ in this industry. I set up a ‘contact us’
section of the blog where artists and fellow bloggers could email me samplings
of their work, in hopes that I would have the opportunity to shine some light
on undiscovered up and comers. That hope was nothing more than a pipe dream
until last Thursday. On March 7th, I received an email from Darvell
Goodwin, aka VELLO the GOD, a Chicago based emcee who has remained, in large
part, deep underground. With an impressive combination of lyricism, flow, and a
complex rhyme scheme, VELLO the GOD is living proof that Chicago can still
provide us with well rounded, unique, and refreshing artists. We sat down with Darvell
and asked him a few questions to better understand the man behind the music.
Check out the full interview below, and be sure to download his most recent
mixtape, entitled “The
Emancipation,” in its entirety, free of charge.
How long have you
been rapping?
I’ve been rapping for
about six years and recording for about two.
What’s your take on
the current state of hip hop? Do you like the direction it’s heading?
I think the new class
of hip hop is slowly pulling the genre back to a good state. For what most
people consider hip hop, is no longer a factor if you’re not bumping
underground music. To me, what you hear on the radio and that are just two
different things.
Do you think coming
out of a hip hop mecca, like Chicago, helps or hurts your chances of making it
in this increasingly competitive business?
As of right now, it’s
hard to say, due to the fact that what’s coming out of Chicago is not exactly
what I do. I think people will respect and recognize that I choose to pursue
what I think Chicago hip hop truly is and innovate styles unheard of.
What, would you say,
was your strongest influence to begin rapping? Was it an event in your past, a
fellow artist, or what?
My biggest influence
was just the drive to create and master a type of art in order to move a
culture of people further into what it truly is. No real event or artist
influenced me to start, but I was listening to artists like J. Cole in “The
Come Up,” Kendrick Lamar in “Section 80,” and just a bunch of old school cats
who became pioneers. I wanted to bring the Chicago essence back into it.
Considering the state hip hop is in now, I just wanted to make room for the
real.
Your music is very
lyrical. While this approach often earns the respect and loyalty of underground
fans, it usually hurts your chances at commercial success, given the type of
rap that gets radio play. Are you ever tempted into dumbing down your lyrics to
improve your popularity and financial situation?
As far as that goes,
I’m definitely not opposed to making music for you to dance to, because I’ll
just always feel like I’m doing me and doing what I love, which is making
music. I’m not really worried about the money or things like that, but I know
I’ll be able to do a lot more when it’s here and I feel like life, itself, is a
big popularity contest.
What sort of plans do
you have for the future?
I just plan on lasting
a long time. I’m a true artist, so I’ll be looking into things like clothing
design, fine arts, and things like that, and just build on a brand worth
building on. In the end, I just want it all to be worth it and I’ll be working
unsatisfied.
Follow VELLO the GOD on twitter @VelloTheGod, and check out his music on Hot New Hip Hop:
Here and stream below.
If you could give one
message to your fans, or to those who haven’t heard of you before, what would
that message be?
I would like to say
that I’m just a KOOL dude, haha. I’m a competitive artist. Whether I’m in the
studio writing lyrical pieces or making a real track for you to dance to, it’s
always gonna be competitive to me; I’m coming for anyone, all in good faith.
Follow VELLO the GOD on twitter @VelloTheGod, and check out his music on Hot New Hip Hop:
Here and stream below.
dope write-up. Music is dope as well, keep grindin'
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