Bay Area, California rapper and Distant Relatives member Vocab Slick presents the William Rushton-directed music video for “Flyingâ€, Vocab’s new single produced by Rob Wright. The track features guest vocals from singer/model Tricia Danieli, who was recently featured in Playboy Slovakia and Playboy Africa. Releasing his debut solo album Lyrically Conscious in 2003 following several stints in jail, Vocab formed the group Distant Relatives with his childhood friend Emotionall and rapper Maynee.
Emotionall was subsequently deported to Mexico, and Maynee passed away in 2014, one year after Vocab’s mother passed and his daughter was born. Vocab bounced back with 2014’s Somethin’ Slick EP, followed by the Issues & Episodes full-length.
Vocab co-founded the Slap Frost Tour, which grew into an annual festival featuring the likes of Planet Asia, Locksmith, and Chino XL. Vocab recently toured with Tha Alkaholiks and Gavlyn following the release of his EP The Day After Yesterday which “Flying†appears on.
â€Sometimes it’s hard to find the courage to put in the work to fulfill our goals or dreams,†Vocab says about the new single. “I find myself looking for that extra push almost daily. This song to me is a positive affirmation to me and people in general to find their wings, and fly to the unknown. No matter how scary it can be, the reward is worth it.â€
You’ve had a lot of ups and downs in your career, the kind of ups and downs that might make some artists quit the game. What kept you going through the hard times?
For me it’s about passion. I’m very passionate about making music. At the same time it keeps me sane, I find a therapeutic value in the process. I’m clean and sober and writing and recording has become a form of therapy for me. Sure, I’d like to achieve certain successes as well but at the end of the day it’s a personal journey. I’m blessed that some others enjoy what I do and take comfort in knowing that a song I’ve written may be able to help someone else in the same way it’s helped me.
What do you think about the state of Bay Area hip-hop right now?
I think Bay Area Hip Hop is in a great place right now. However you want to label the sub-genres, we’re all on an even playing field and there’s room for everyone to grow and give to the Bay Area scene. It’s really dope to witness and be a part of.
Which of your projects are you most proud of and why?
I’d say the project I’m most proud of would be the Distant Relatives album This Changes Everything. That was the last full length we did before Maynee passed away. I can always go back to that record and have it bring me back to a special moment in time. It was really a great experience to make that record with my brother. R.I.P.
What’s one thing you think people misunderstand the most about you?
I think I get the ‘backpack rapper’ label to where it’s almost a derogatory thing or a bad thing. I’m proud to be a backpacker. That’s where I came from and that’s my background. But I’m so much more than that. I think I’m pretty multi-dimensional which I think comes across pretty well with my newest project The Day After Yesterday. I think I’m gonna be looked at a little different with my next few releases. I’ve got some surprises I’ve been sitting on.
What’s your biggest goal for your career?
My biggest goal for my career is just to be able to take care of my family and make sure they never go without, that’s the personal side. On the professional side I’d just like to continue to push myself creatively, and continue to see growth in both number of fans and number of bigger opportunities.
