“All you sons of bitches is sons of Vishis”
For rappers coming out of Detroit, the bar has been set by artists like Eminem, Royce da 5’9” and so on. Now, Kid Vishis (brother of 1/4 of the Slaughterhouse machine, Royce da 5’9″) is aiming to reach it and raise it higher. With a new album ready to drop, Kid Vishis is one of the most exciting and fast rising rappers hailing from Detroit. Timing Is Everything, slated for its July 22nd release is a result of several years of crafting and mastering his skills and abilities. We had an opportunity to get an early listen of the debut album and spoke with Kid Vishis about his growth as an artist, the relationship between him and Royce, competition in the rap game, and of course, the album. Check out the brief album review and the interview below.
It’s not a simple task to craft an album. It’s even harder to craft an album that doesn’t compromise your lyrical content and ability (see: selling out for spins). On the highly anticipated Timing Is Everything, Kid Vishis reminds us that rap is about powerful lyrics, wordplay, flow and competition. The rap game is no stranger to the talent coming out of Detroit and as a result, expectations are high. After listening to the album, its clear to see that Kid Vishis is ready to meet and exceed those expectations.
For a debut album, this is a solid body of work. Each track is a 3-5 minute lyrical assault. With a carefully selected group of producers (including D12’s Mr. Porter), the beats provide the perfect backdrop for the dark, hard hitting and gritty lyrics. The first single “Heaven”, produced by Nemesis, is just a sample of what you can expect on the rest of the album.
We had an opportunity to speak with Kid Vishis earlier this month about his debut album. Here’s what he had to say.
FUXWITHIT.com: First of all, congratulations on your debut album. You must be very excited about this. But let’s dive right into it. Timing is everything is a pretty common saying. Explain the title. What does “Timing Is Everything” mean in relation to this project? How did you determine that this would be the “perfect or ideal timing” to release your debut?
Kid Vishis: It was really a reflection of me and my growth and my overall comfort as an artist. I feel like I’m at the point where I can put quality music out consistently in an era where more lyrical style MCs are needed. I feel like its time to come with that throwback style of focusing on clever lyrics and bars because people are sick of this boring ABC style rap that’s popular now.
LISTEN: “Look At All My $**t”
FUXWITHIT.com: How did the “Sick Em” and “Vishis is Me” mixtapes help you get to this point?
Kid Vishis: Those mixtapes were just really me in training to ultimately get to this point where the music comes easy to me through countless hours and days of hard work. It was a transition from being a verse for verse killer to being a song for song master. Though I am no master yet, I’m on that path now and definitely won’t stop until I reach that level.
FUXWITHIT.com: What’s your creative process like? Did you send out a call for beat submissions or did you actively look for producers that you wanted to work with?
Kid Vishis: I reached out to the guys who already had my back and who I knew believed in me already. Once these guys started sending me beats, I caught a zone and before I knew it the album was done. I do give Monster Energy drink credit for helping me with long studio nights because I walk in the studio, crank the beat all the way, crack open a Monster Energy, and the magic just kind of happens.
FUXWITHIT.com: Of the 11 tracks, only one features another rapper, that rapper being Royce. Why was it important for you to limit the features on this album?
Kid Vishis: Well for a debut album for myself I didn’t want people to focus so much on who else was on the album but hear me out instead. I plan to build a cult following for myself and my brand first, then do more features on future projects but I just didn’t want to depend on features make a dope project. This album is about me.
FUXWITHIT.com: What does it mean for you to have a brother who is pretty established and successful in the rap game?
Kid Vishis: Its very motivational to have a person who you got to see with your own eyes worked from nothing and kept on the grind to legendary status. I remember Royce got his girl pregnant and my dad was like “You need to get a job to support your kid” and Royce told him that he was going to NY to try to get a record deal. About a month or so later, he called home and said he was about to sign a million dollar record deal and he wanted to fly my father out for the signing. That type of thing inspires me every day.
FUXWITHIT.com: Message to the MC’s is a very direct message – “All you sons of bitches is sons of Vishis”. This seems like a general call to action intended for all rappers in the game and coming up. Was there anybody in particular this was written for or was it your take on the “Control” verse?
Kid Vishis: Just like you said, it was very direct “All you sons of bitches is sons of Vishis” not some, not a few, All You Sons Of Bitches. If I ever target a certain artist I will say their names because I’m not a subliminal diss kind of guy and I mean what I say when I say it. Kendrick’s “Control” verse was OK, but I’m cut from the Royce and Eminem cloth where a diss might end a nigga’s career. Kendrick’s verse got that praise because of the timing. The industry is so watered down and emasculated that it wasn’t expected from an artist with his success, but if Kendrick spits those bars towards some real killers he would have his hands full, even though Kendrick is a killer himself. I mean the people he aimed those bars at are light lyrically and that’s why they didn’t respond.
FUXWITHIT.com: Speaking of competition, I’ve read that you have been involved in and have had some exposure to the battle rap scene. Did you battle when you were coming up? Is it something you would ever entertain going back to?
Kid Vishis: Yessir! I had a few battles coming up but people quickly got wind that I wasn’t here to play and gave me my respect. I would get back into doing a battle or two for the right price and if everything makes sense but overall I want my music to be what I’m known for. I’m a big fan of battle rap though, I keep up with all the top guys and up and comers.
FUXWITHIT.com: What are your thoughts about the current rap scene in Detroit? Are there any artists that you’ve heard that you think are the next to watch out for or that are coming up with you? Do you seem them as your peers or competition?
Kid Vishis: The Detroit scene is always diverse and competitive. We have all different styles but everyone is good at what they do. Ty Farris, Seven The General, MarvWon, Jon Connor even though he’s from Flint he still reps, Icewear Vezzo, Boldy James, Sino, and Fenkell Payroll just to name a few are guys who are doing their thang in Detroit and I listen to their music. All these guys are peers to me, its only competition when we are working together but trying to come up with the best verse but that’s about it.
FUXWITHIT.com: A debut album is a big milestone to achieve, but what’s next for Kid Vishis? Will you be touring? What are you most excited about next?
Kid Vishis: I’m super excited about this album, I plan on touring sometime in August overseas and I’m excited about that and the fact that I get to drop another album this year is a euphoric feeling because I feel like I have a great momentum going.
FUXWITHIT.com: Lastly, can you sum up the album for us? What should listeners expect? And what do you hope to accomplish with the project?
Kid Vishis: You turn on the album with the intentions of hearing clever lyrical bars with diverse songs from fast to slow, concepts to raw spazz records to personal. I want fans to be willing to ride with me on my journey to master this art and support the Kid Vishis movement due to the fact that they feel like I represent hip hop in such a way that they feel comfortable buying my album or coming to a show in the future. I want people to say “Yup, he definitely belongs in hiphop“.
Kid Vishis Timing is Everything drops July 22nd on Seven 13 Entertainment and will be available worldwide on digital & physical CD formats. Fans can also order autographed copies from the label at www.seven13ent.com. Be sure to follow Kid Vishis on Twitter.
The album is dope folks, we FUXWITHIT!
BONUS: “Talk Behind My Back” Video
