#UpNext: Vbezz using music to take family out of poverty
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Up-and-coming artiste Vbezz relies on his melody and flow and has joined other young artistes in bringing songs from the recently adopted Trap Dancehall genre to the music industry.
The 25-year-old, whose given name is Akil Sinclair, said that he has been singing from a tender age and got his start in the church where he was the lead singer of the youth choir. He believes this has helped him to stand out from others in the industry.
“Most of the artistes who do Trap Dancehall come with a lot of lyrics, not that I don’t have the lyrics, but what works for me is the flow and the harmony when I use up mostly my vocals instead of just lyrics,” Vbezz explained.
It has been 10 years since Vbezz embarked on his musical journey as his first official song was released in 2012 when he was in the eighth grade at Denbigh High School in Clarendon. He told OBSERVER ONLINE that everyone who heard that first single was shocked and encouraged him to follow his dreams.
“They were surprised, and saying they didn’t know that I could do this (sing) and saying how my voice sound sweet and stuff like that and they would encourage me to continue so from there I have always been doing music, never stop,” the young artiste said.
Vbezz, in describing his journey thus far, stated that he has grown and improved in his craft in terms of the composition of his songs, adding that it has been a learning process. However, the artiste said that the journey has not been without its challenges,
He added that constant encouragement from friends and fans is what keeps him going.
“I can really see where I have improved in certain areas and aspects of the music, but because of the lack of connections, I am not on the platform that I would like to be. However, all of my friends around me who are also doing music, they are always talking about how I have improved and they encourage me to continue putting in the work,” Vbezz said.
The artiste, who hails from Stewarton in Mocho, Clarendon, is driven to make it big in the music industry as he has a goal of taking those closest to him out of poverty.
“Honestly, the team around me including Onebuffmusic and my engineer — MGEEZE Production — motivate me to go harder and harder every day,” he said.
“Growing up in my community, the ghetto and the garrison is all we know and all we are used to. And we watch artistes on our TV and see how they go out there and elevate themselves and get their family out of the ghetto, introduce them to a new life — a better life — so that is the whole purpose of me doing this,” Vbezz explained.
He added: “I am not living with my parents now in my home town but every time I remember the times there it pushes me to go harder and harder and do this to execute the plan so I can get my people out of the poverty. A that always a motivate me.”
To achieve the goals of financial freedom for himself and his family, Vbezz hopes to be named among the well-known stars in the music industry- not just locally but internationally as well. He also hopes to be a mentor for other artistes and be respected among his peers.
“I want to have a name in the music industry, not just locally but internationally. I want to be among those who are Grammy-nominated. I want to be on a level that young artistes could look up to and even other older artistes in the industry as well. I want to be the kind of artiste who can create an impact in the industry so other artistes who are coming and those established artistes can learn something from me. I want to change the game and leave a ‘loud impact’ as Alkaline say,” Vbezz told OBSERVER ONLINE.
Vbezz’s music can be found on Instagram at vbezz_official and on streaming platforms Audiomack and Spotify and on YouTube.