Rooted and grown in 'Suffland',VA, a new breed has surfaced into the light conjuring up a fresh, unique sound that the state for Lovers is known for. Virginia Boyz Productionz, better known as V.A.B.P. makes up a raw formula that has been mastered by such '90s greats as the Wu Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest, bringing together an ensemble of friends-turned-brothers, and MCs of great finesse. Kapital, Stovo Gunz, Cerj, Disturbia, Rob B., and Lex Luger are the new energy wave sweeping throu...
Rooted and grown in 'Suffland',VA, a new breed has surfaced into the light conjuring up a fresh, unique sound that the state for Lovers is known for. Virginia Boyz Productionz, better known as V.A.B.P. makes up a raw formula that has been mastered by such '90s greats as the Wu Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest, bringing together an ensemble of friends-turned-brothers, and MCs of great finesse. Kapital, Stovo Gunz, Cerj, Disturbia, Rob B., and Lex Luger are the new energy wave sweeping through streets with underground hits such as “Fashion Statement” and “Bag It Up” pounding through trunks and creating a buzz that is forecasting a storm that'll rain on heavy Hip-Hop Heads in the near future.
In order to understand what their relevance will be to the rap game, one must understand the group itself and take a look inside the souls of each individual and their reasons for entering into this verbal jungle we call Hip-Hop. “Rapping is my life and what makes the love deeper is doing it with friends and family,” says Kapital. Stovo Guns adds in similar motive, “Everybody [V.A.B.P.] has that same hunger and ambition; everyone's in it for the same thing. The game is being manipulated as strictly a dance industry, also a lot of Milli Vanilli going on, rappers personifying others as themselves...and V.A.B.P. come to bring it all back into perspective. ”
All hailing from Suffolk,Virginia, they each began their love affair with Hip-Hop at an early age. Lex Luger, V.A.B.P's beat man, became fascinated with sounds and rhythms at the age of four when his uncle came down from New Jersey to visit him. He brought with him his MPC 2000 and young Lex watched as his uncle made a couple of beats. It wasn't until the age of 11 he seriously started considering a life and career in music. Group member Cerj started flowing with the pen and pad at 13, which originally stemmed from wanting to write books and become an author. At six years old, Stovo Guns discovered his interest while sitting at DJ stand, Rob B. was inspired to rap after hearing Jay-Z's “Dead Presidents”, and Disturbia's fire was kindled at 16 while listening to Lupe Fiasco's “Sunshine”.
Their biggest influences range from MCs Rakim and Kanye West to family. “Before my grandfather died, I promised him that I would be famous not only for myself but for him,” says Cerj. Kapital states, “My biggest influence is definitely my family, I want to make sure nobody will have to keep struggling.”
With everyone bent on having the most swagger nowadays, V.A.B.P. expresses that it takes more than that to hold a firm place in the game. They combine their lyrical styles and originality to dish up a refreshed hunger for Virginia MCs where each member brings their own flavor to the plate. Kapital's known as the lyrical punchline machine who spews them bar for bar. “My name is not an alter-ego__the name itself means to be the head and whatever I do I try to be the best at it.”Cerj's style is straight-at-it with a touch of old-soul, while Disturbia's serves as the underdog, yet the unpredictable one. Stovo Gunz carries the lyrical finesse, “I eat, sleep, talk rap, and I proceed with actions.” Rob B. holds down a laid-back flow, “What sets us apart is our versatility. With me, I can back up my lines, which is something a lot of rappers can't do. Rhymes are my verbal diary.” What sets Lex Luger apart from other producers, and what keeps V.A.B.P. sound so fresh, is his unique use of samples that sound nothing of the cliché. “I used to always wonder why my father would make me sit down and listen to a whole Jackson 5 album or Marvin Gaye's Greatest Hits Cd, but now I understand. I think that's why music is messed up these days. People don't know their history; they see the money, big houses, cars, women, clothes, and they chase after that. They have no real love for the music...” Though Hip-Hop is struggling not to let it's 'Commercial' hold take it down, V.A.B.P. wants to let the world know they're here to save and revive their first Love that they've put so much of their lives into.
Written By: Silva B.
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