We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Class Vee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Class , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew when I was a child, literally one of my first memories watching “Don Francisco” and it felt so interesting. And it just made me so happy to sing and dance. I tried on my own, and I didn’t feel like it was meant for me. I labeled it as a “dream” and I stopped trying. But when I did that I felt empty, it felt wrong and I felt it was a feeling that I had to live with as it was a dream that had it’s time.

But then covid came around, I decided to try again because I missed the joy of creating songs and singing. Plus I had a lot of time since I wasn’t working. And the “What if’s” never stopped echoing in the back of my mind. And when I did, my heart felt so full. I mean it really did I felt love, happiness and complete. Suddenly somehow back on track, not knowing where or how this path would end, but I wanted to make that journey. And that’s when I knew without a doubt that I wanted to pursue it professionally.

Class , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

How do you do?! My name is Victoria, and I go professionally as Class Vee, because I love different classes of music, words of expression, fashion and I felt I was in my own “Class”.
So that’s how “Class Vee” came about.

I am American, however my family is from the Dominican Republic, I lived in the Dominican Republic for some years and I am bilingual.

Some genres of music I love are: Salsa, Rock, Pop, RnB, Disco, Jazz etc.

I discovered I loved old music after stumbling upon a movie called” Sixteen Candles”, the music and the style felt so familiar. I discovered it on my own by accident and it changed my life for the better. It made me so happy to know a world like that existed and at the same time so sad that I never got to see it or live it. So my style of music will often have an 80’s vibe as it is my favorite genre ever.

How did I get into the music? I feel it’s a feeling deep deep down in your bones, and you just know. Words come so easily to me when it comes to expression and storytelling. I think it’s a gift to be able to find the words that someone is feeling and translating it in a song.

The problems that I face sometimes, is finding a middle ground between old and new styles of music. So I can stay true to myself and what I love while still remaining in the present times. When I hear the songs that are being charted and how different it seems from mines I question If i should move towards that direction to get noticed. But I then remember if I did that it wouldn’t be my own “class” anymore. And I remember I cannot worry about everyone else. That is their journey and I am on mine.

I would say I am most proud for believing in myself. And believing in yourself sounds so cliche, but it is not easy. You can LIE to yourself all day, but to BELIEVE in yourself it takes courage, risks, and a lot of faith. And that lead to the songs I have written, the awards I have been able to receive, the labels I’ve been able to work with. But most importantly the inspiration it has given to those around me. None of those things would have been possible without faith. That despite having no proof of winning anything or making money, I still wanted to follow my dream. So if you believe in something with all your heart feel proud, that’s the seed that will blossom your entire path. So take care of it because there are people who do not understand what that means or what it feels like and they will want to take it from you. Stay strong you got this!

Most of my songs revolve around life, I love all of it, the good and the bad. We learn something from it and as I write, I like for my listeners to say ” That is exactly how I feel”.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I had a rocky childhood, I lost both my parents, I have been in the foster care system, I have been homeless, and despite it all i never used it as a reason to hate the world, or be angry. Instead I decided to see what I can learn from it. I literally had to transform the way I would see things and feel about things to stay optimistic, even when there was no evidence of it ever getting better or changing. I would find things to be grateful for. Whether it be a cup of coffee, or simply making it to work, I literally had a list of 100 things I was grateful for. And whenever I was having a bad day I would turn to the list to remind me although this moment, this thing was causing me problems I had AT LEAST 100 things I didn’t have to worry about.
I love my name, the fact I could see from both eyes, Both ears are good, I was healthy, I was working, I had a bed, I had all my fingers all my toes, clean water, electricity etc. Something so simple yet millions of people will never have that, but you do.

And I revert this back to living in the Dominican Republic that although I grew up poor, it made me richer in so many ways that money could never buy or compare. I took my past and used it to help, I volunteer with CASA/ The guardian ad Litem to represent Foster care children, I have also volunteered at the crisis hotline in the past, and anyone else who has given me the opportunity to help, I try to do just that.

And I took all of that and I have turned them into poems and songs. And although I got handed lots of lemons as a child, overtime I learned what to do with it, mastered the recipe and it was all well worth the wait. And as an adult, it’s refreshing.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Honestly, I thought i needed a band or to read music for the longest time. BUT YOU DON’T!
If I knew how easy it was to find music online and license them or connect with producers to create music I think I would have done a lot more, a lot sooner. Then again these resources were not always there, but now they are becoming more accessible especially with social media. But all I can say is don’t assume and do your research.

Something I wish I knew then also is that you don’t have to sound like everyone else. You don’t have to be the same age as everyone else. I was giving myself a hard time if I wasn’t able to mimic certain artists and songs. I felt as if I didn’t have what it takes. However, it’s important to note that those songs were designed and created for those artists and what makes them amazing. So find your sound, your style and your voice that makes you who you are. The same way others have inspired you, you could be someone else’s inspiration. Your name, your age, your background, your story is what makes you who you are, and only you can determine how you want your story to be told. I say this because when you’re young, you care about what people think and what you look like, and you may feel excluded if you aren’t the typical things. But why be ordinary if you could be extraordinary? The world is your canvas so dare, try, and believe. And know that as long as you keep taking steps, even if it is just one a day, a week a month you will get there. You got this ❤️

Contact Info:

• Website: https://classvee.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classvee/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheClassVee/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/theeclassvee
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@classvee
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/vee-music-423639655

Image Credits

Michael Esser