Vicky Chand, a rapper hailing from Vancouver, Canada, has been making waves in the music industry with his unique blend of Hip Hop and genre-crossing sound. Born and raised in Surrey BC, Vicky Chand has captivated audiences with his fresh take on the genre, captivating lyrics, and charismatic stage presence. In an exclusive interview, we had the opportunity to sit down with him and delve into his journey, explore his identity, and discuss the influence of Hip Hop on his artistry.
How did everything start for you? Why did you choose music?
V: I really feel like music chose me. I never really thought of being a rapper. I was always more into sports but I had a real passion for Hip Hop music. I just decided to write a verse one day and the rest was pretty much history.
You worked with a variety of big names both old and new school; such as Westside Connection and Pressa. Did you find yourself hard to define or put in a box?
V: Yeah definitely. I think it works to my advantage though because I feel like there’s a big gap between “old-school” and “new-school” Hip Hop fans with regards to the music style and sounds. I think the style of music I make is something that older people and younger people can vibe with because it has the feeling of both eras.
Did you find yourself having to follow certain musical trends in Hip Hop to be able to “make it”?
V: I wouldn’t say I had to follow musical trends because I hate following trends in general but I definitely had to adapt. I could see early that the music was changing and becoming more melodic but since I’ve always been a big R&B fan too, going back and forth from Rap and more melodic stuff didn’t seem like too much of a reach. But yeah, I definitely had to challenge myself throughout the process and I still do today whether it’s working on new flows, vocal ranges, or different types of effects on my voice.
“Hip Hop music is always evolving and if you don’t stay ahead you’ll get left behind.”
Your Spotify has a photo of Nipsey Hussle, you have some Tupac bars, I can also hear some Kid Cudi influences in the track “Find Your Way”. Who and what are your inspirations?
V: I’m just a big fan of Hip Hop in general. I feel like being Canadian I’ve been able to view the whole music game without having any bias. So with that being said my influence comes from everywhere and sometimes it can be from other genres too.
You have quite a lot of high moments . You received shout-outs from influential names in the industry such as DJ Envy and The Game. Can you speak a little bit about your proudest moment?
V: Hitting 1 million streams was a big one for me because I had always envisioned it so it was definitely a manifest moment for me. But I had a big last two years. In general I feel like my brand is bigger than it’s ever been. I get recognized a lot when I go out in my city and it’s always all love. I have been getting more and more opportunities out of town which are dope. I don’t know if I have a proudest moment yet but I’m definitely most proud of the fact that I still feel like the same person as I always have been and I didn’t let the music industry dictate how I wanted to pursue my career.
With your style and presence I feel like you are keeping the remnants of a tradition alive whether through lyrics, sound or delivery. What is the importance of Hip Hop to you?
V: It was pretty much my religion growing up. I relied a lot on Hip Hop to mold my character and it definitely shaped me in a lot of ways. So I have a deep respect and admiration for Hip Hop culture and everyone pushing forward.I know that this culture can also sometimes lead us in negative places as well but it’s all on how you play the game and I just wanna try and show people how to play it the right way.
“My goal has always been to keep the essence of Hip Hop alive.”
You said before that you “wanted to give the South Asian community across the world a chance to hear their voice in the Rap industry”. I want to talk a bit about your mission.
V: I just wanna leave a legacy behind that I can be proud of. I believe that god gave me a gift and I want to use to the best of my ability to spread some positive vibes out there, and just be real to myself and to my fans. Most definitely at the same time I feel very proud to represent my South Asian culture and to help open the doors for talented South Asian people across the world whether it’s in sports, media, music, or whatever it may be.
“I feel like every culture gets their chance to let their voices be heard at certain times and I think that this could definitely be our time right now so I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
What are you working on right now? What should we expect from you?
V: I’m working on a lot of music, trying to release a new single every two months. I just shot a big video in Columbia at one of Pablo’s mansions that I’m super excited to put out. I would just tell everybody to expect the unexpected. I always have a couple plays up my sleeve and I just feel like the music is on point right now so I’m really willing and ready to take it to the next level.
What is your dream project?
V: Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, SZA, Moneybagg Yo, J. Cole, Kevin Gates.
Do you have any shows coming up?
V: Yeah, I’ve got some things in the pipeline. Just confirming a few dates for the summer and fall but I’m holding off on doing a lot of shows until I feel like I’ve really built a solid audience and fanbase that wanna see me perform.
As Vicky Chand continues to push boundaries and carve out his space in the music industry, his journey serves as a testament to the power of authenticity, cultural fusion, and the transformative nature of Hip Hop. With his fresh take on the genre and his unwavering dedication to his craft, he is undoubtedly a rising star to watch out for, representing the vibrant and diverse musical landscape of Vancouver, Canada.
We thank Vicky Chand and his management for their time with us.
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