Audio Heavy Vee
I Don't Need A Hook

In a musical landscape that finds young cats like Soulja Boy and Hurricane Chris pushing millions of downloads and ringtones, it's clear that one major rule comes before all others: Your song has to be catchy. And if it comes with a funny video and its own dance, even better. Heavy Vee has got all that and more, with a debut track that's starting to take the Internet by storm. We spoke to her about her upcoming album, avoiding the gimmick rapper perception, and representing for big kids everywhere.

MP3: Hey, Heavy Vee. Heavy Vee: Hello. How you doing? I'm fine, how are you? I'm doing well, thanks. So, yeah, I want to talk about the new single and talk about your story a little bit. When did you start rhyming? How long have you been doing this for? Since I was 11 or 12, believe it or not. And then you know, around that age I got discouraged, kind of, so I kind of fell back from it. But, like around 15 I started back again. And was it something that your family encouraged? Were they supportive of it, or were they apprehensive, or what? Yeah, some of my family was supportive, but you know, my sister, she's like the oldest, and sometimes she was like, "Oh, no, you're wack." But you know, when I started getting older, like around 15, 16, she started to support me more. But I had like, a lot of friends, you know, saying, "Oh, no, you wack, you should stop." So that kind of discouraged me a little bit. So, you know, I kind of stopped around 11, 12, but I got right back into it, like, 15, 16. But for the most part my family has been supportive. Right on. And do you write all your own material? Yes, absolutely, every single thing. Nice. How did you come up with the concept for "I Don't Need a Hook"? The concept came from one of my friends. My friend recorded it in his studio in Patterson, he's an upcoming producer, Dustin Hill, and he was like, "Oh, yeah, I have this beat for you!" And I'm like, "OK, let me hear it." And I'm like, "Wow, that's really a hot beat. I have to really get on that beat." He like, "Yeah, I think this song should be called 'I Don't Need a Hook.'" And I'm like, "OK." So, from there I just wrote the song and it's all history from there. And are you working on a full-length solo album as well? Yes. I'm working on a full album. Actually I've already written about nine songs, so I really don't have a date for the album yet, but it definitely is coming. It should be coming definitely soon. And as far as the other songs that you have written, is it similar, like anthem type stuff, or more conceptual lyrics, or what? See, I wanted to give the album a mix, like a taste of everything. My style right now that I'm trying to bring back is like, you know, kind of like real hip-hop. But I have the party songs and also I have some joints where I'm like, I'm rhyming over slow beats, like slow jam beats. So, it's like a taste of everything in it. Do you have a title for it yet? No, we don't have a title for it. OK. And what about live performances? Are you looking to do a tour? Do you play a lot of live shows? Or are you more in the studio now, or what? I'm more in the studio now. I'm looking forward to having many live performances, you know, maybe in March, or late February, or whenever, whoever wants me to perform, wherever. But I know, February 2 I have a performance coming up because the band, Semi Precious Weapons, contacted me, and they said, "Oh, we love you so much. You absolutely have to perform with us." So, February 2 at the Art Bar in New York City, I'm going to be performing with Semi Precious Weapons. Sounds good. I also wanted to ask, like, the past couple of years there's been a lot of huge, huge singles--they have that real catchy chorus and a little dance move, but then, a lot of those guys have had a hard time selling the albums, you know? Do you worry that people might think your music is kind of gimmicky or anything like that, or what? No, I'm not going to worry about it, because usually when someone is thinking like that of a artist, it's because the artist puts a first single out like that, and a second single out that's similar. But the second single I'm going to drop is absolutely not the same thing. Well, it's catchy but it's not like, "OK, yea, dance, dance, all the time." So, on my album, it's going to be versatile. It's everything. So, I hope, you know, people is not going to think, OK, she's just like trying to dance like everybody else and have a good time. I'm trying to like, you know, I had the real hip-hop in the serious times, like, hard times, people go through, and you know, love, only once. Is it hard to balance getting your career popping off and promoting the music and everything with also still going to school full time? Somewhat, somewhat. Because you know, having to go to school and then you know, do my homework from school, come home and do my homework. And then I also try to write some songs in between. I can tell you, it's not enough hours in the day, because, wow, it's really trying to find enough time. I always try to find enough time to balance out the both, but it actually works out kind of good because in school, you know, I'm basically like, promoting myself. I'm like, yeah, you know, everybody runs to me, like, "Oh, I saw your video, I heard your song!" and they're so hype. "I love it! I love it!" I hear that all day from teachers and students. So, I'm really kind of promoting myself. But I love it. I mean, it's kind of hard balancing it, but I'm really working through it. Excellent. And are you starting to think about college stuff, as well? Are you going to try to make a go at the music career first, or what? I definitely want to make a go at the music career first. If it doesn't work out for me, which I really doubt that it won't, I always have a Plan B. So, my Plan B is to go to cosmetology school and then after that get my bachelor's in business and open up my own hair salon, like, in major cities and states, like New York and Miami, LA. So where would you like to see yourself, let's say, one year from now? One year from now I would like to see myself performing at the BET awards. I would like to see myself as a platinum artist. Because after I drop my album I would like for it to go platinum. I would like to see myself doing a lot of things for the children and kids, speaking at, you know, promotional programs for the kids, inspirational programs, and basically talking to the kids about how--a lot of people say, "Oh, because you're overweight, or you're big, well you can't do this, you can't do that." And a lot of kids out there don't have a high self-esteem and high confidence. So, you know, speaking about that. Making another album. Making another platinum album hopefully. Traveling, tours. You know, everything. I'm hoping to start a clothing line soon, so I hope that pops off for me. But, I have a lot of things in store that I hope will do good in the future. Right on. So, what would you like to say to all the people out there that either--that aren't up on you yet or maybe they just saw the video but that's all they know about you. I would like to tell them that if they don't know me they better find out, because they're going to know soon! And, a lot of people say, you know, what, "Oh, no, she's too big to be Hollywood," or, "She's too big to be in the music industry." Well, let's say, big is now in, thin's been gone! Believe it. Like Monique says, you know, "skinny girls are evil." Believe it. You know, I'm just trying to represent for all the big girls, all the big guys, you know? So, I'm bringing something new to the table. You know, '08 is all about the new things and I'm here, so get with it or get going, basically. Well, hey, thanks a lot for taking the time, Heavy Vee, I appreciate it. No problem. And good luck with everything. Thank you so much. All right, take care. You too.