We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vinny Mac . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vinny below.

Alright, Vinny thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I’ve learned that madness comes with the gig. When you’re truly invested and passionate with a vision, it’s almost not real until you’ve sworn to quit right before you continue. I’ve said in a song, “in my head I’ve quit like a 1,000x” and it’s true. Pursuing what’s in your heart, what makes you feel alive is not for the weak. So yes, I am “happier” as an artist/creative, definitely more fulfilled.

The last time I entertained the idea of just having a “normal job” was after my 2nd album “CUZ GOD SAID SO VOL.2” came out. I swore I knocked it out the park with this one and although the numbers improved from the last album, the hunger to just do this full time shadowed the victory of growth and presenting something to the world I was proud of. Along this journey the idea of success fluctuates.

So many ppl it seems are chasing the money rather than creating at their highest peak and I don’t want to be that artist. The road is longer but ultimately more rewarding, fighting to figure all of this out.

Vinny, 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?

What’s the deal, my name is Vinny Mac, a nickname from middle school that stuck. Ha. I got the name “Vinny Mac” from selling poems to guys in the 7th grade, writing poems for their girlfriends with specifics they wanted in them. Eventually I got caught and all the girls (I sold a lot of poems) responded “accordingly”. It was a big deal in all grades (6-8) and “Vinny Mac” was born from Vincent. I’ve always been a writer, a poet, having a life long love affair with words. Somehow I’ve always understood its power.

I am a music artist, specifically in rap, as well a songwriter and producer( not a beat maker) in rap, r&b,pop, & reggae. Rap is Rhythm And Poetry so naturally that transition happened as I fell deeper in love with HIPHOP. I still get a high pouring my heart into records.

I’m most proud of creating dope shit!!! Lol, as a self proclaimed “music junkie”, the goal is to put something out I am so proud of, the results are secondary. Music is spiritual, and effects people far beyond getting them to stream/buy your work and/or support your “brand”. If an artist’s sales justify you being a fan, their music must not be that great. The goal is immortality through timeless art!

What separates me apart, what makes me STAND OUT is my passion and work ethic is unrivaled. I can give a dissertation on so many different melodies and lyrics that shake me to my core! I still believe in being competitive lyrically and flow wise, and I feel like I’m one of the few that still sees the worth in chasing greatness!

Thats what my company, STEPOUT STANDOUT, is all about! It’s about finding your purpose, that thing that feels like breathing and then giving yourself to it! Owning who you are unapologetically! Anti status quo! Lifestyle, Culture and Company! Which is why I always say “Art from Artists” because it’s deeper than “platinum” and top layer things. The arts have saved my life again and again! SÖSO 🙏🏾

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

Yeah, learning and fighting to master, mixing and mastering! Along with writing and producing my own records( I don’t make the beat) I also record myself! That has been one of the biggest uphill battles!! The technical side of it demands time of which mine is already pulled 50 different ways! Right now I do it all and mixing and mastering has drove me crazy the most! Every solo project of mine as well the 2 rnb mixtapes I wrote 90% of, I mixed and mastered with little help. The beautiful part is thankfully you can hear the progress with each project! I’ve made 100 different mixes of several songs! But I refuse to quit because I don’t have the funds to pay for 10-20 songs to be mixed and mastered so I do what I gotta do!

One of the most rewarding things from CGSSVOL2 the album is people commenting on the quality of the sound and mix! I could’ve cried! Haaa! When I say #DONTBURYYOURGIFTS I MEAN IT!!! Do what you can with what you got! Sometimes mixing and mastering has taken months because I’m a perfectionist. I am self taught and still growing! 💪🏾💪🏾

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society can show support by simply getting behind what they actually like! Show love to what you love! That simple! Leave a comment! Share a post! Don’t be a quiet fan all the time, be vocal about what excites and moves you! Put your friends on to your impeccable taste in the arts! 😎

I won’t hesitate to show love when I feel led to! It’ll always be that way! Show more love! If you feel an artist has done their job, reward them with your support whether social media, concert tickets, buying merch, etc.!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/vinnymacsoso
• Instagram: Vinnymacsoso
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vinnymacsoso
• Twitter: Vinnymacsoso
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCcmtrlNfbWIvq5fL4hvCXmQ

Image Credits
Shot by Leigh Stallings of Fly Honeigh LLC