MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE - After hitting the hip hop scene with his debut album, “Hayl,” VeeVerse has pulled out all the stops for his follow-up EP, “Boarding Pass.”
“The crazy thing is I don’t listen to hip-hop as much as people think I do. I listen to R&B, rock, and everything outside of hip hop,” said VeeVerse. “So, I know when I start writing that I have a clear mind. I’m always trying to be creative with my next pitch.”
VeeVerse’s creative process is unique but results in an ingenious four-track EP containing multiple hip hop styles, including pop, trap, and R&B influences which result in VeeVerse’s dynamic cadence. “I try not to sound the same on every individual track that I create,” explained VeeVerse. “My cadence changes within different genres that I collab with. My cadence is trappist and R&B. Of course, you still hear the same voice in each song, but I always try to be creative and think outside the box.”
“Boarding Pass” is produced by Tim Hill and represents VeeVerse’s ability to shift from rapping a sappy love song to a hype song to rally the audience to a pop-influenced piece.
The first track on “Boarding Pass” is “Air,” which includes a Phil Collins sample infusing a pop vibe. Written after the death of a friend, VeeVerse pours his heart out, paying tribute to his friend using the famous pop song’s beat as a background for VeeVerse’s silky smooth lyrics.
Channeling his inner J. Cole, “Line Em Up” is destined to be a crowd favorite with its mellow vibes as VeeVerse invites his haters to line up. “Line ’em up for whoever is coming against me,” he said. “Just line ’em up; I’m ready.”
“Nvm” (a.k.a. Never Mind) mixes singing and rapping in a hip-hop song, demonstrating his musicality to switch back and forth while relating to fans with the song’s message. While everyone deals with things out of their control, “Nvm” tells listeners to step back and simply say, ‘never mind’ and walk away from trouble, whether it is someone playing mind games or potential physical harm.
Going back to his rapping roots, “You Thought” rounds out the new EP with a strong trap performance. “I’m talking real reckless in this song. You can never get past me with anything. So, don’t think that you can,” he said, describing the lyrics.
“Boarding Pass” shows his growth as a musician and lyrical hip hop artist. Content with his first EP, VeeVerse knows “Boarding Pass” is a step up. “I reached into my bag and pulled out a little extra for this EP - a little extra energy and time with this one. I worked on it for months to make sure that it was right,” he said. “I listened to beats over and over again just to find the right one.”
As more fans get introduced to this born and raised Murfreesboro artist, VeeVerse has found his place in the hip hop world as a lyrical mastermind who can shapeshift musical genres. “I am multi-diverse. I don’t discriminate against nobody. I want everybody to enjoy my music. I’m just trying to bring everybody together when I create music,” he said.
Make sure to stay connected to VeeVerse on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.
Welcome to SOUND ADVICE, the weekly home for playlists assembled by the friends, rivals and romantic interests of Interview. Recent editions have featured selections from After, Soulwax, and 1LDK. Taking over this week is the much loved rock quartet Weezer. After building a catalog that includes the color themed albums Blue, Green, Red, White, Teal, and Black, the Los Angeles group is expanding its palette once again with a new release titled Gold. The record blends carefully constructed pop melodies with rough edged rock energy, recalling the sound of the band’s earliest years. Before unveiling their first album in four years and beginning a North American tour, the members created a collection of personal favorites and overlooked gems for us. Moving from Beethoven sonatas to classic Van Halen tracks from the 1980s, their choices reflect the wide ranging tastes of the musicians themselves. They then answered our questionnaire, revealing what they listen to before taking the stage, clearing up their views on ghosting, and explaining what they really make of Gen Z.
What do you listen to before hitting the stage?
SCOTT SHRINER: I usually do not listen to music before we play. I do vocal warmups and go through any of the songs in our set that need practicing.
RIVERS CUOMO: Nature sounds, like birds and creeks and waterfalls.
Dream fifth member of the band, dead or alive?
PATRICK WILSON: 4 is plenty!
CUOMO: Matt Sharp
Favorite album: Blue, Green, Red, White, Teal, Black or Gold?
SHRINER: Fave color album is Red.
One of your songs off the new album is titled “Don’t Make It Weird.” What’s the fastest way someone can make things weird?
BRIAN BELL: I think ghosting someone ranks up there with weird and abhorrent behavior.
CUOMO: Say the first thing that pops into your mind.
Which song is going to surprise longtime fans the most?
CUOMO: “C.E.O.” because we interpolate ourselves.
BELL: The song that will surprise most Weezer fans is “The Show Must Go On.” It’s a good driving song, and while it might sound familiar, it will also take you to very unexpected places.
Which artist are you streaming the most right now?
CUOMO: Binaural beats.
Which city has the most unhinged Weezer fans?
SHRINER: I’m going with Mexico City for most unhinged W fans.
Thoughts on Gen Z?
CUOMO: They value different kinds of people.
WILSON: They’re great! Two of my kids are Gen Z! The way I’m like, “No, because same!”
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