V.P.

Please record your message after the tone. Vito Polizzi, perhaps better known by his stage moniker VP, first foray into rap came at the age of nine in the form of a simple rhyme recorded upon the family’s home answering machine. Laughing, the rapper recalls his first taste of critical acclaim, “Turns out it was quite the hit amongst our family and friends. In fact my aunts thought it was particularly cute, to which point it inspired them to leave messages for us by rapping back.” The recording would act as a rather unique precursor to the developments which were to unfold in the coming years. Though it’s safe to say the term “unique” is one adjective that is not new to the artist- in fact, it’s ubiquitously attached to his name and there’s little doubt he’d have it any other way. Born in Detroit, though raised in the suburbs, VP’s upbringing bears little resemblance to some of today’s top hip-hop artists. You’ll find neither guns or drugs, nor life in the projects. When prodded about being a product of the suburbs, he takes little time to answer, and instead views this matter as an asset that works in his favor: “I come from a good family, a good upbringing and never got in to too much trouble. I never really lived in too bad of a neighborhood, never been into drugs or much of a violent person. I don’t dress like other rappers, I don’t talk like other rappers, and I sure don’t look like other rappers. If that doesn’t set me apart, I don’t know what would.” Rap was introduced to the artist at an early age vis-à-vis family, friends, and radio. “My cousins listened to it, my friends listened to it, radios blared it…...I was pretty much aurally engulfed in rap.” The music would go on to elicit an intense fascination and in turn led the artist upon a journey that would see his musical horizons expand towards a broader range of hip-hop artists. “Though I was mostly listening to what was being played on the radio. I was always intrigued by the gangster rap that didn’t get radio play. It was so raw and so taboo, definitely something I wasn’t allowed to be listening to. Naturally, I did the opposite and begun listening to Snoop Doggy Dog, Dr. Dre, 2 Pac and eventually Notorious B.I.G. All of which served as major influences in my interest in rap and hip-hop.” During VP’s later years as a teen, rap and hip-hop were integral parts of life, though aspects that had yet to take center stage. “Around 18 or 19 I started free-styling for fun and decided to record it, intended only for my own entertainment really. I showed a few people online and got a lot of positive feedback but I really didn’t think much of it.” This would all change in an event that would somewhat echo VP’s past as a nine year old child recording an answering machine greeting message-- though this time he would be received with fierce encouragement. VP recalls the moment: “One day while riding in the car with my family, I popped in one of the free styles I had recorded. My dad said “Who is this?” When I told him it was me he was shocked. “If you can do this, why don’t you write some songs?” “Being that he was an old-school Italian, it was shocking to hear his encouragement to pursue rap.” Perhaps God had worked in a mysterious way. In 2001, VP was readying for a move to New York City in the hopes of pursuing his original plan of becoming an actor. However, it’s of little secret that New York City represents the Mecca of hip-hop and the proving ground of so many hip-hop artists from both the past and present. “In New York, I started going to open-mic sessions every week. Needless to say I embarrassed myself a few times (ala 8 mile), freezing up on stage or rapping about stuff nobody was feeling. Regardless, it motivated me to hone my skills because rapping amongst New York’s best underground rappers is no easy task. I eventually began earning some respect from people in the underground scene and started to become a recognizable figure at the open mic nights. Soon, I was linked up with an up-and-coming producer, Fero Navi, whom I have been working with ever since. He has produced almost every song I’ve written, aside from a few that I produced on my own.” VP would later return to the suburbs of Detroit, seemingly enlightened and quickly choosing music as his sole focus. However, during his New York stint, VP would make brief trips back home and the artist reflects on those times: “My father and I built a studio in my parent’s house during my trips back to Detroit. This allowed me to “lay down” most of my stuff before I would take it to get mixed and mastered.” Not long after the completion of the studio, the artist returned back home to Michigan at which point he recorded the 2005 EP Watch Your Mouth. “ I wanted to get a feel of how people perceived me as a rapper. The response was better than I had anticipated. I did about four or five shows, all with great turnouts. I have performed at in and around Southeastern Michigan and I’ve received nothing but great feedback from fans, producers, and other artists.” With the success of the Watch Your Mouth EP, VP has returned to the studio to record his highly anticipated follow up entitled Hypocrite. Tinged with acerbic humor, cunning with, and stories themed from every day life, those of which glide the spectrum between MySpace love and “bed bugs,” VP’s lyrics act as their own diacritical markings, serving to distinguish his one of a kind story telling from the rest of the field while showcasing his musical depth and versatility through club bangers and Italian raps. “My style is like taking Kanye West and mixing it with early Eminem adding a dash of Slick Rick some pasta sauce and a little oregano………followed by a glass of red wine.”