Illuminati 2G

D-Marc back with another interview. Smooth Vega took time out to holla at us. In this in depth interview we discuss his start in the rap game, the popularity of his website, his new album 3*10*85 dropping towards the end of the year and much more so check it out.

D: For those unfamiliar with you, tell me how did you get started in the game and your influences.

SV: I started writing when I was 13. At that time (1998), I was a little bad ass in school so one of the teachers actually offered me studio time at her cousin's studio but only if I stayed out of trouble and that kind of just sparked everything because prior to that I really didn't know how possible or realistic it was to pursue music. None the less, I stayed out of trouble and really began to pursue music. I felt it was a blessing in disguise and I'm thankful to god everyday that it happen it way did.

As far as my influences, I would have to say : 2PAC, Boyz II Men, Bone Thugs N Harmony, & Jodeci. I mean I have a lot more influences but those artists are who I jammed non stop growing up.

D: You started in this business at a young age. You already had a EP out in 2002 by the time you were 15. Take me back to that time recording it and your thoughts on it looking back now.

SV: In retrospect, It was a big learning experience. Honestly, I didn't know what I was doing but I felt that process was valuable to my growth as a musician. I learned a lot about the business and at that time I was just touching the surface. I got a chance to experience shark ass muthafuckas that we're out for a dumb kids money and I mean even though I look back and think of how fucked up it was, I'm still glad it happened because it planted seeds. As far as the cd in itself is concerned, man it still makes me feel good when I look back on it or when I feel walking down memory lane and pulling it out the vault to hear it. It's feels good to hear me as a kid but I think it's feels even better to hear how far along I've come and how much I've put in to get to the point where I'm at. 

D: Around this time also you launched www.smoothvega.com. Owning my own website myself and doing it by myself  for a long time, I know and understand the work and time that goes into it. Tell me a little bit about the site and when did you start to notice it was catching on with people.

SV: We launched the site in October of 2002. My friend Son Of The Don happen to be learning web mastery at school and he offered to do my website which was both of our firsts. I didn't have any real sources at the time (no car, no money, etc.) so I felt that I was in best interest to utilize what was in front of me which was my computer. The amount of time that I put into my site was insane. I used to hop on chat rooms, online community's, website guestbook's, forum's, and a gang of other things and eventually after doing it so much it started evolving. I never realized how much the work I put in had paid off until I started running into other artists and the first thing they would tell me is "You're site is crazy" or "Your doing it big on the internet", that shit almost became my niche. At a time, I had other artists offering to pay me to advertise on my site, that was a turning point that indicated to me that it was becoming a beast.

None the less, 2004-2005 it was in full snowball effect. Shit was crazy. I had people from all across the world logging on to my site, supporting, and promoting me. It's funny because when I kicked off the site, a lot of people I knew thought the shit was corny but I knew that the internet was the direction that the industry was heading in (The Digital Era). My website taught me that art of advertising, promotion, and marketing a brand. It opened a lot of doors for me because people saw a movement happening, it wasn't a sitting duck shit my site was rivaling some of the major's numbers. I never thought it was going to get the point that it did but after I saw Chamillionaire do what he did with his site, I thought nothing was impossible.

D: Yeah I feel you on that. Websites can be a slow grind at times but once you have the fanbase and the interest, watch out. That is what's going on with this site. Ok, fast forward to 2004. The site is doing well and you drop your debut album, Unbreakable. What are your memories of that time and both the site and your album blowing up big at the same time.

SV: It was crazy. I don't think there's many people that could've built what I built off of what I was given to work with. Though it was my debut album, I still felt all along that it wasn't where it needed to be as far quality wise but it never stopped me from going forward. With the site in full effect, it made it easy for the project to move and the project moved me. A lot of people loved the project, I still get mail about it to this day so I definitely it gave me enough life to get to the next step.

D: Your new album, 3.10.85 is set to drop this year. How far along are you on finishing the album and do you have a release date set?

SV: The project should be finished in the next month. The release date has yet to be determined but the last 2 months of 2007 are starting to look like the target dates. I can't wait no more!!!

D: The guest list is already impressive. Crooked I, Sinful, Chino XL. How did these collabo's come about?

SV: Me & Chino XL had some mutual people's and that kind of just made that happen. I've always thought Chino was one of illest pound for pound lyricists of all of time so when the opportunity presented itself to do some shit with him, I was ready.

Sinful (El Pecador) is my dude. I've been knowing him for a good minute now and on some real shit, we past the music thing so it was like I had to get him on the project. I got a lot of respect for him, him being the first latin rap act to ever sign to Motown Records in my opinion opened a lot of doors for future latino rappers trying to do it like myself.

And my mans Crooked I!!! Shit forget about it. That man is killing it on them weekly's!!! I met Crooked in Long Beach and off top I had to get with him on some shit. Crooked is one of the realest dudes. Real humble cat….. I'm very excited about working with Crooked.

D: Yeah 3 of the best right there. Crooked I is really doing it big with those freestyles. So is a deal with a major label in the works? It's cool if you can't speak on it.

SV: I'm supposed to fly out to Hollywood the 2nd week of September to do press, discuss distribution and start shipping out the official single to get it circulating (what up FBC!). I have people within the industry spreading the word but I am going to wait for "3*10*85" to dictate where I am going to go next.

D: Well I know many will definitely be anticipating the release. Any tour dates or shows in the works to promote the album?

SV: I'm set to hit the road on October 18th with Sick Jacken of Psycho Realm & DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill, Brickman Raw, & more to do a southwest tour. That'll fall right before the album. When the album does drop, I got a PR Campaign intact!!! I'm ready….. I'm a cover a lot of ground this time around. Check up for dates @ www.myspace.com/smoothvega It's going to be updated here in the next few month and a half. California, I'm a see you real soon!!!

D: What music is Smooth Vega bumping in the ride?

SV: Right Now :

Fabolous - "From Nothing To Something"

Crooked I - "Hip Hop Weekly Mixtape"
and that Elliot Yamin single "Wait For You" is dope….

Other then that :

2pac, Ludacris, Chamillionaire, Immortal Technique, & Chino XL

D: Any advice for up and coming rappers or business minded people trying to do the indie thing on their own?

SV: I always get asked for advice for some of the younger cats trying to break in and it's always a bit awkward because I feel like I'm in the middle of the war fighting with them still. I don't feel I'm anyone bigger but if there's anything I can tell a young artist trying to do it or a go back in time and tell a younger version of me is…. Fuck what anyone thinks and go for what you believe in. The industry is a business, learn it and you'll be fine. Work smarter opposed to working harder.

D: Well that is all from me, shameless promo time. Any shoutouts or last words?

SV: "3.10.85" is coming!!! Be looking for it….

Appreciate everyone that's reading…. Big up to Illuminati 2G!!!

Thanks to all people out there supporting and keeping the movement going….

Self Made Movement is about to be in full effect, if you rep then you part of it!!!

D: Thanks for taking the time to do the interview Vega.