Vini, also known by his emcee name ViniHellaBandz, is a hip-hop artist based out of Tacoma, Washington. A storied student of the game, he has been cultivating his sound throughout the past decade through meticulous hard work and dedication.
As an artist, he takes inspiration throughout his life experiences and longs to create a lasting impression through thoughtful lyrics and subject matter. His music and lyricism mostly lean toward the spectrum of conscious rap. However, Bandz does not regulate his art to a specific sound. Instead, he creates an unpredictable and hard-hitting experience throughout his discography.
There is much more to come from the young artist as he continues to hone in on his talent. Bandz works alongside his producer Semi. The two of them have been working alongside each other for a number of years. They bring a sense of authenticity that is very much on display throughout their work together.
In order to continue building his sound, he’s surrounded himself with a number of talented artists in one of the most notable up and coming rap groups, Pyranha Gang. They have cultivated their creative avenues together as a group of lifelong friends. The group boasts a number of releases including their most recent album Pyranha Gang, Vol. 3. Bandz is an integral member of the group and continues to push his way into the spotlight throughout Tacoma.
I was able to link up with both Bandz and Semi to tap in about their past, their upcoming projects, and what to expect from the group.
ViniHellaBandz – “Stamped Freestyle” (Prod. by New-$emi)
Interview With ViniHellaBandz And New-$emi Of Pyranha Gang
This interview has been edited for clarity
So Bandz, how did you originally get into music?
ViniHellaBandz: I originally got started with music by fucking with Semi, man. I was going to school working on cars. I always heard that he was making music. This was probably five or six years ago. I was always cool with him. For over 20 years, now, we’ve always been homies. My homeboy Q told me to come over to the house and they happened to be cooking up music and I heard the beat Semi made. Before that, I was really a student of music just by listening. Every genre was dope to me, it didn’t matter. I just hopped on a beat, made a hook, and since then I’ve been addicted.
Tell me a little bit about Pyranha Gang. I’ve heard a lot about you guys, tell me about that movement.
New-$emi: We’re all just homies, we’ve known each other for a minute growing up here in Tacoma. Big Matloc has been making music, FT been making music in high school. I started making music more seriously after I graduated and I took it really seriously. We were just chilling for a little bit, but we all just started doing our own thing. Creating it our self, no pressure.
ViniHellaBandz: Semi has seen me evolve. At first, I wasn’t very good, but I kept going at it. I always had a message that I wanted to get out. I rapped when I was little, I would write hella shit. Big Matloc was definitely the best at first, he’s the one who started the Gang. We all have known each other for 20 plus years, and we just kept growing.
So you mentioned you listened to a bunch of different genres. Who were some of the artists that you would listen to?
ViniHellaBandz: My favorite artist, of course, RIP Nip, is Nipsey Hussle. Dave East, G Herbo, Don Q, Jada, Royce Da 5’9, artists like that. There’s way too many to name. I really like to consume lyrical type of shit.
When we were first talking you said you were really about that lyrical shit opposed to crazy hype music. What made that be a thing for you?
ViniHellaBandz: The first CD I ever heard my Dad gave me. There were a couple cassette tapes of Gang Starr and Brother Lynch. Between all that music, I got that motherfuckers were talking about something. They all had something to say. It was all in different types of ways. Not only that, but they were dope at doing that. You could have something to say but not be talented or skilled at it. But these artists put their words together and it’s a real gift. With what’s coming out now rappers aren’t really rapping anymore, they’re taking the easy way out. I could do that too, but I choose not to.
So how is sharing a message incorporated in your music and your sound?
ViniHellaBandz: It’s genuine, man. You can’t just come to the studio and try to prove a point. The music is based on your feelings so it’s different every time. It’s definitely the point though, I try to uphold a lyrical standard every time I touch a mic.
Y’all are from Tacoma, does that help form your guys’ sound?
ViniHellaBandz: I wish it was more like the south where everyone is coming together. But it’s not like that. There’s a lot of politics involved and shit like that. But it helps our sound for me.
New-$emi: I feel like when people see us they don’t want to work with us, but then they hear us and they know what’s up. They didn’t know we could rap like that. We know a lot of rappers out here, so it’s all good. Everyone has their own pockets.
ViniHellaBandz: At the same time, there’s a lot of dope artists coming out of Tacoma. I like motherfuckers who really talk that shit. As long as you’re talking that shit you’re living you can’t do wrong by that.
When it comes to this album coming up, it’s your first release. What’s your goal for this album?
ViniHellaBandz: I’ve come to recognize that this shit isn’t for everybody. I respect what everybody is making. There’s music for every type of day. Music for when you’re trying to turn up in the club and there’s music for when your lady is at the crib. There’s even music for when you’re cleaning the house. You aren’t going to be turning up all the time. Sometimes you need music that really makes you think about something you can relate to. Something you can feel. Even if you can’t feel it, it’s refreshing to hear someone talk from a different perspective. I’m trying to open ears up to a new wave and a new sound.
If you could put that sound into words, what would it be to you?
ViniHellaBandz: Man, we’re from the Northwest. It’s a combination. At least for me, I listen to every type of artist. From north, east, to west. Painful shit, soulful shit, rhythmic shit. A lot of my homies have described me as unorthodox in that way. I don’t do things the traditional route. I really try to press the line on everything.
So, are you having a function for your album release?
ViniHellaBandz: The album will be coming out in December, and the listening party will be out shortly after the album at All Star Vintage on 38th in Tacoma on December 7th, 6 PM to 8 PM. On December 8th we’ll also be at Throwbacks Northwest in Seattle at the same time. We’re gonna be listening to the whole album and turning up with the community. We’ll have CDs, cassette tapes, merch for the album. Make sure you come through for a good time.
Besides the album and the listening party, do you have anything else you’d like the people to know?
ViniHellaBandz: I just dropped two singles a couple of weeks ago, “Stamped” and “Nanna.” You can also find them on my Spotify. Merch is going to be coming out, but it’s very limited. There will be shirts for the diehard fans and the people that are really supporting us. Again, the tape is dropping and it’s a pivotal piece of work. If you’re from the Northwest you need to hear it.
