Think of hip-hop and what comes to mind? Diamond chains, fitted hats, over-priced cars, undeniable swag, and of course, the women. But hip-hop has so much more to offer and for twenty-something year old rapper VITO, hip-hop offered a way out. Born in an era when drug abuse was at its all-time high and morale was at an equal low, VITO in many ways became a victim of his environment. With both of his parents working jobs that required them to be away from home for months at a time, VITO had little parental guidance. Before long he found himself involved with the streets and everything that comes with it. "I seen it all and done almost everything, but I got a new focus now. I'm ready for that change." But, change isn't always as easy as it sounds and VITO admits that he still battles with old habits. His new focus is music, which ironically has always been a part of his life. "As a kid I lived next to a nightclub, so I would hear all types of music; from Bob Marley to Smokey Robinson, to Big Daddy Kane, back to NWA, and even Billie Holiday. Yeah, it got deep. Before I had my first crush I knew the words to songs that were made as far back as the 60's." People find it hard to understand how someone with such an unforgiving lifestyle could have so many different dimensions. If you are looking for the answer, music is a good place to start. The love for music was always there, but it wasn't until his high school years that VITO realized he had a natural talent for making his own music. "In high school kids would always have little freestyle ciphers and I would always just watch, until one day a friend put me on the spot and told me spit and the rest is history. I wrote my name on those M.H.S walls as one of the best to ever do it." Fast forward and VITO has become better with time. With his uncanny ability to paint pictures with words and narrate the struggles of life in the hood; VITO is poised not to be just another rapper, but the future of hip-hop. So...hand him the mic, turn the lights down, press play, and allow him to introduce himself...and the next time you think of hip-hop...THINK OF VITO...
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