Artist Spotlight

Meet Johnny Vice, The Rising American Rapper and Producer Everyone is Talking About

Today, we had the chance to chat with Johnny Vice, an American Rapper, Singer, Producer & Songwriter out of Baltimore, MD. Johnny Vice is making a name for himself in the music industry while showcasing his unique style and talent. He consistently delivers unique content true to his craft, which he calls “Rampage”. Rampage is a love story about losing your long-lasting relationship that got rid of your freedom and expression. The theme of the record is escapism. The lyrics “See the Moon Cause a Rampage” captures having the night of your life after this happens.

Coming out of Baltimore, Johnny Vice is a powerful emerging voice on the male scene. He writes his lyrics with fearless vulnerability while weaving in memorable and catchy melodies. This is what Johnny Vice has to say in his recent interview with the Honk Magazine team.

Hey, Johnny Vice thanks for taking out time to respond to us. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Johnny Vice – What brought me to music is my father being a musician throughout my childhood. He was always playing songs on huge amps in my basement. He had a band when I was younger and would do gigs after work some nights. He passed away when I was 10 years old and music was kind of my way of having him live through me. Wanted to do something he would be proud of.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

Johnny Vice – One of the most interesting stories has been this past year moving to LA. I’m from Baltimore, so that’s like a huge crazy thing to do where I’m from. Most people get stuck there it’s a huge blessing that I figured out a way to go to the place I’ve always wanted to go and actually work hard enough to have relationships with lots of people out here and make it worth it.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Johnny Vice – Maybe one mistake I think stealing all my beats off youtube when I was first starting. I feel like nowadays it’s better to actually just collab with the producers and make real relationships within the industry rather than just keep stealing beats haha. But then again it gave me a lot of creative freedom to just figure out my sound and style before I started taking it all the way seriously.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Johnny Vice – I’m working on an album called “Nightstation”. I basically made all of it in a time to where I literally could not sleep at night. I was staying up until Daylight every single night making it. I just wanted it to capture that feeling I guess.

Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

Johnny Vice – Not a huge fan of name-dropping but It’s been cool meeting all the people I have met in LA. A lot of them have been super supportive and genuine.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Johnny Vice – Just stay grateful no matter what. Worry about what you’re doing. You cannot compare your own success to someone else’s. Always think of your background and you’re come up as baby steps. Every single accomplishment is good and a step further. Keep your spirit healthy.

You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

Johnny Vice – Honestly I want to be even more successful and really am not even close to where I want to be yet but I’m still so grateful for how far I have gotten. But as for the question just kinda along the same lines as the last question, just keep worrying about your baby steps and stay grateful for your position.

Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices, or treatments that you do to help your body, mind, or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.

Johnny Vice – Make sure you get at least something thing done before you do any procrastinating. Whether It’s meditation or working on your career, etc. Anything that helps your day feel like you grew that day. This has always helped my spirit feel better.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

Johnny Vice – Honestly I’ve been super blessed with having people tell me the right things throughout my life and I don’t have many things I regret or look back on and wish I had. If anything I’d say like to just keep being humble and not let anything clog your ego. When I was 17-18 I think some small successes definitely got to My head and lost me some friends. But Im still grateful for that time as a lesson.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Johnny Vice – “you are your thoughts” has always spoken to me. Everything starts with a thought. Everything in the world of humanity has been created and stemmed from a thought. So I try to always think about things deeply and think positively.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Johnny Vice – I don’t like name-dropping haha. But I’d definitely say, my mother and father. My father for inspiring this entire dream and my mother for supporting me by herself for so long. Those are my biggest help.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

Johnny Vice – Be yourself. Stay free from anything that clogs your spirit. Never lose the light that you were blessed with. That’s my message to everyone that listens to me.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂

Johnny Vice – I’d say maybe Kanye West or Tyler the creator. Or even like Bon Iver. I have a lot of influences but those ones probably played the biggest part in my career and influence.

How can our readers follow you online?

Johnny Vice – Y’all can follow me up on my social media account on Instagram – @johnnyvice, Twitter – @johnnyvicemusic, and TikTok – @johnnyvice_

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Artist Spotlight

“Little Louis” by Tom Collins turns an introspective heartache into life’s hopeful anthem

Tom Collins presents himself as a captivating talent and noteworthy figure in contemporary songwriting, distinguished for conveying essential lifelines through his music. With his newest single, “Little Louis,” the rising indie artist has created something even more profound, luminous, and truly unforgettable, effectively exploring themes such as vulnerability and defiance. It marks an impressive advancement in his artistic evolution, exhibiting a blend of lyrical sincerity and nuanced storytelling that may soon establish him as a prominent vocalist within the timeless indie genre.

Upon the initial guitar strum of “Little Louis,” listeners are introduced to intricate guitar work and musical elements reminiscent of a late-night introspective revelation. As the composition progresses, it transforms into a resonant anthem for the morning, encapsulating the experiences of two young hearts, one boy and one girl, each burdened by challenging beginnings as they endeavor to move beyond the influences of their pasts towards uncertain futures. This track is a subtle yet powerful testament to those who courageously pursue their aspirations in a society that frequently neglects their struggles. It embodies the essence of a quietly confident anthem, symbolizing the journey of an individual who’s lived a little, experienced difficulties, and still dares to dream.

What makes “Little Louis” particularly special is its emotional duality, skillfully balancing elements of grit with tenderness and grandeur with intimacy, while simultaneously offering glimpses of hope. The chorus carries an undercurrent of resilience that resonates with the listener long after the final note fades. The composition establishes a dynamic tension by effectively contrasting themes of pain and perseverance, while juxtaposing the haunting shadows of the past with an aspirational quest for light. The instrumentation is rich yet tastefully restrained, featuring jangling guitar riffs, sweeping melodies, and deeply relatable lyricism, thereby fostering a visceral connection to the narrative for the audience.

Collins’ artistic trajectory aligns favorably with contemporaneous artists like Sam Fender, whose narrative-driven songwriting resonates with audiences similarly. He draws influences from Jamie Webster and The Hunna, both known for their sophisticated melodies and polished production techniques. Collins is navigating a grounded and humanistic path within the music industry, and his track “Little Louis” exemplifies this perspective. The song explores themes of heartbreak, the search for existential significance, and the innate desire for an introspective connection. It serves as a poignant reminder of the shared struggle for companionship and understanding amid life’s inherent challenges, positioning it as an essential inclusion for any discerning music enthusiast’s repertoire.

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Artist Spotlight

PURE XTC stirs the emotional wheel of heartbreak with her anthemic new single “Drive”

Alt-pop artist PURE XTC has delivered a heart-wrenching ballad with her latest single “Drive,” the sonic embodiment of emotional unraveling. This track doesn’t just play through your speakers; it resonates deep within your bones, showcasing PURE XTC’s most cinematic moment yet that feels like the soundtrack to a breakup you didn’t see coming until it was already behind you.

Co-written by Taylor Hughes with lyrical contributions from Mariel Loveland, “Drive” encapsulates the gut-wrenching moment when love unravels quietly, culminating in a profound realization. It deviates from the typical narratives of angry outbursts or dramatic breakdowns; instead, it focuses on the slow deterioration of love, capturing the ache of recognizing that someone you once believed was your forever has become a stranger sitting beside you. It conveys a sense of surrender wrapped in reverb, portraying a state of being too exhausted to fight, too numb to hope, and simply ready to move on, not necessarily forward, but away.

Musically, the track features hypnotic synths and reverb-drenched guitars that shimmer like streetlights on wet pavement. The steady beat mimics the rhythm of a long drive with no destination, fueled solely by the urge to keep moving. Hughes’ vocal performance paints a vivid soundscape that feels like emotional release in motion, a moody companion for late-night solitude.

What makes “Drive” compelling is its honest restraint and refusal to glamorize heartbreak. Instead, it embraces the ambiguity and messy emotions involved in letting go, ironically making it resonate even more. The vulnerability present isn’t just in the lyrics; it permeates every layered sound and tension that never quite resolves.

PURE XTC isn’t merely creating music; she’s building an intimate and vast sonic universe. With this release, she solidifies her status as a master of emotional storytelling through sound, demonstrating her ability to transform the messiest feelings into something beautifully haunting. Buckle up as she invites listeners into her world, one that lingers long after the last note fades.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM PURE XTC’s “Drive“ on Spotify.
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