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Cheyna met up with Zin’s rapper, Vilx, to ask him a few questions about what he’s been up to and to get answers regarding the incident that occurred at a party in Canada, where the rapper got into a physical confrontation with a group of thugs during a Zin performance.
Cheyna: How did you get into the industry?
Vilx: I used to live in Florida before I moved out here. Cassique, Daphne, and I were all roommates when I first arrived. One day Alan came over the house while Cassique and I were playing the keyboard. I noticed Alan from a CD cover my dad had, the Lage’m album. I asked Cassique if that was the same guy and he said yes. I was rhyming to a song at the time, and when I suddenly stopped, Alan told me to continue. He said he liked what he heard and asked if I wanted to do a song with him on his solo album. I said yes. The song was recorded in two days, and I’ve been rapping with them ever since.
Cheyna: Is it safe to say you’re officially a member?
Vilx: You can consider me a regular member because I’m there often. I’m not there all the time but often enough.
Cheyna: Have you ever performed without Zin?
Vilx: Yes, I did a couple of shows at SOB’s. It was really nice, and the crowd’s reaction was pretty good.
Cheyna: Do you have anything in the works?
Vilx: I just finished working on a single to be released August 6 on J-Flex’s mixed CD. The name of the song is Niggaz Gotta Know. The song is based on the incident that occurred in Canada. Just a few things I had to get off my mind.
Cheyna: What actually took place in Canada?
Vilx: We were playing at a club and right after performing my part with Alan, I went to the lobby by the restroom. A few guys came up to me and said I had to take my colors off. At first, I didn’t know what they were talking about because I had a blue hat over a red bandanna that was barely visible. They said those were the colors of their rival gang.
Cheyna: Which gang was that?
Vilx: They were members of the Crips, and since the red bandannas represented the Bloods, they felt I violated them. I said with all due respect, I’m not a member of any gang, I’m just wearing the color, it’s a style. With that said, I tried to walk away when one of them sucker punched me. I grabbed him and hit him a few times, and suddenly all of them started jumping on me. The guy I caught, I hurt him pretty badly. The cops and EMS came and at first tried to arrest me until a few girls nearby pointed them to the real attackers, and those guys were arrested.
Cheyna: Is that going to affect Zin performing there in any way?
Vilx: The promoter who brought us there to play was attacked by the same group. Right now there have been a lot of threats made by them saying that if Zin comes back with me, I’ll be leaving in a body bag.
Cheyna: Do you think the attack had anything to do with the song Gangsta?
Vilx: I might be screaming Gangsta, Gangsta, Gangsta but I’m not rapping about guns and fights. What I’m saying with that song is to stick to what you preach. I’m not a gangsta.
Cheyna: Tell me a little more about the song Niggaz Gotta Know.
Vilx: When you listen to the song you’ll hear that at one point I’m not even rapping anymore, I’m just talking over a beat. And once it hits Canada, they can take it however they want. I’m giving it the way I feel it. What happened in Canada was a test, and this is my way of answering back, through my rhymes.
Cheyna: Outside of Zin, what else have you been working on?
Vilx: I’m currently working on my solo project. It’s halfway done, and I’ve got a lot of musicians involved. Mickey, Michael Benjamin, AC, and T-Vice are already on the album. They’re the only Haitian artists I’m working with for now. I’m also trying to get Memphis Bleek and Cam’ron featured.
Cheyna: So it won’t be strictly a rap album?
Vilx: No, it’s an American album with a twist of Konpa. A lot of musicians are doing Konpa with a bit of American flavor, but my album is the opposite. For example, Please Baby and Gangsta are Konpa with a little American mix. My album is strictly American, but you’ll still hear the drums and that Haitian flavor. If you’ve ever heard the remix to Yereswa, you’ll know the same soulfulness I’m bringing.
Cheyna: Who are you targeting with this album?
Vilx: Mostly young Haitian American fans.
Cheyna: And when it comes to your fans, who makes up the majority, men or women?
Vilx: If 90 percent of my fans are women and 10 percent are men, that’s fine with me. Once you have the female votes, the men will come.
Cheyna: Speaking of fans, do you think you have more groupies than fans? I’ve seen women literally tear off your clothes at shows. How does that make you feel?
Vilx: I don’t see any of my fans as groupies. If you’re following me, you like what I’m doing and you’re supporting me, you’re family. I love my fans and would never consider them groupies. Some may not be able to come up to me and say, “Hey, Vilx, I really like what you’re doing,” but they express themselves in their own way. (smiling shyly) I admit it feels good, but I don’t let it go to my head. I don’t turn around and tell the band, “Yeah, I’m the man.” I just stay humble.
Cheyna: Earlier you mentioned being roommates with Cassique and Daphne. Are you related to Daphne?
Vilx: Yes, my cousin is her son’s father, so technically we are related.
Cheyna: Let’s get a little more personal, can you handle it?
Vilx: Wow! Sure.
Cheyna: Boxers or briefs?
Vilx: Boxers. Gotta be comfortable.
Cheyna: Do you have a girlfriend?
Vilx: Yes, I do.
Cheyna: That’s good to hear, because most artists wouldn’t admit that.
Vilx: I have to give her the respect she deserves.
Cheyna: I agree. Well, Vilx, thank you for speaking with us. Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
Vilx: I just want to tell my fans to keep supporting me. I have a new album coming out, and I hope they show it the same love they’ve shown me before. I love them, and as long as they want me around, I’ll be here.
