Tell us a few things about your new work titled Lo-fi sensation.
Lo-fi Sensation is my third album. It contains 10 tracks, each one stand out on their own with unique sounds, beats and melodies. I wanted to have a mix of Hip-Hop and Jazz since there are no rappers on my songs which allows me to be more creative. The album also features the debut of my new Akai MPC One, the latest addition of my studio. You can hear it’s effects though the chopping of vocals and sampled melodies.
Which is the most gentle lo-fi melody you wish you had composed yourself?
I wish I composed The Righteous Way to Go by 9 th Wonder. I always love digging through samples and figuring out how to incorporate them in my music. The way that 9 th Wonder was able to fit a sample so smoothly into a Hip-Hop beat is just incredible.
What is the story behind your name?
V-Train was a nickname when I was in middle school. I used to be a part of the youth in the boys and girls club where I would go to after school and during the summer for camp. One time, a counselor just randomly called me V-Train and everyone has been calling me that since. I decided to use the name as my artist name before I released my 1st album. I thought it was fitting for me ironically because I did love trains a lot when I was a kid.
Have you considered introducing lyrics to your music?
I did have lyrics in the fall on my second album “A Wandering Soul”. The artist was a professional singer, so she put her lyrical talent on that song by my request. Since then, I haven’t considered adding more lyrics in any future songs I have. Lo-Fi Hip-Hop rarely does have lyrics or voices in that matter which is what attracted me to the genre. It’s about the instruments and less about the lyrics.
Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?
I can see Spotify being the musical gatekeeper today, but I don’t know how long that will last. The music industry is always changing so who knows if it will still be the gatekeeper of music
today.
Which book should we read while listening to your music?
I highly recommend reading Dilla Time by Dan Charnas. It’s about the life of late Hip-Hop producer J Dilla and being considered one of the influencers of Lo-Fi Hip-Hop, I can’t think of any other book than this to read alongside my music.
Future plans?
I am planning on creating more albums and singles. I don’t plan on stopping. I also made a website that has my beats store for any rap artist or producer that wants to use my beats. I’m also working on sample packs and offering services like custom beats and mixing another artist song.
Thank you!
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