VerSe Reed, an emerging artist from the Bronx, NY, whose passion for rap was ignited at the age of 17 and fully embraced at 24. With music as his therapeutic outlet, VerSe turned to his craft during challenging times, finding redemption and solace through his lyrical expressions. His debut single, “Aries,” captures both his technical prowess and deep emotional resonance, marking a powerful start to his musical journey.
Learn more on VerSe as he sits with V-Henny and speaks on his career.
V-Henny: What aspects of the West Bronx influenced your passion for hip-hop?
VerSe Reed: Being from the Bronx is a gift, not a curse. My environment and where I was raised built me into the man I am today. Through the ups and downs, the west side has been a haven for me in my upbringing. For starters, my influences first come from my parents. My mother and father play a key part in the elements that make up VerSe reed. My parents were heavy in the streets, and they came from the mindset of survival of the fittest, and by any means. My household was full of music growing up. From Biggie, foxy, Nas, the Lox, and greats like Rakim and KRS-1 to Snoop, Dr Dre, Pac, Ice Cube, and Yo-Y0 music made me feel safe and heard. My mother was all West Coast vibes blood walking up and down the hallways and living room, while my pops were East Coast. I honestly feel like they met in the middle with me. But at the same time discovering the miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and Nas Illmantic I slowly was paving my way to listening to music of substance. I believe that in itself is why I value writing.
V-Henny: At what age did you begin his musical journey, and what prompted him to embrace his calling at 24?
VerSe Reed: My musical journey began when I was 17. It began as a joke. I was freestyling with my high school friends on the B train coming home from high school. We were banging on the glass on the doors and it was my turn to rhyme. IDK what it was but a force just took over me and I remember just freestyling and putting shit together one of my friends stopped while I was flowing and I looked at them and they were like looking at me as if they just heard Cassidy or somebody. After that point, I was rapping every day either on the walk to school, during lunch, during recess, during ROTC free period, and so forth. One of my best friends at the time was like Bro it’s time to take this seriously. And from that point, it never left me. I was always rapping.
V-Henny: Which hip-hop icons have inspired your musical style and creativity?
VerSe Reed: I was always inspired by flow and wit. Before I was obsessed with metaphors and wordplay that was what hooked me. Guys like Busta Rhymes, mase, Big Pun, KRS-1 and Big Daddy Cane gave me that and I at first aspired to be that. I think that’s where my first stages of becoming verse reed came from. But Biggie Smalls, Nas, Lauryn Hill, foxy brown, and Jay-Z have been my biggest inspirations in the beginning stages of my career and still to this day. I always called myself the spawn of Biggie and Kim which I find hilarious because imagine they would have had a child. I feel like that would be me. Creatively Busta rhymes, Missy, Juicy J just to name a few also paved the way when it comes to that side of me that takes risks. Lately, I’ve been digging in that bag.
V-Henny: How do you incorporate his personal experiences into his music?
VerSe Reed: To be honest, when it comes to my love life it’s so easy to incorporate my experiences. As some may be afraid to admit about themselves I am a lover boy. Drake may think he’s the certified lover boy, but all my exes will put their right hand on the bible and testify that I am (Laugh). I’ve never been afraid to put my emotions into my music. But my biggest challenge and fear is truly tapping into the things I’ve been through in life because it involves so many other individuals that I love and care for I wouldn’t want to hurt them. Being from the Bronx you see alot. You go through alot and when they say if you can make it in NYC you can make it anywhere that shit it real. So I sometimes tell my truths cautiously to protect my family. Shit sometimes I will write about an experience and I call the person after and ask for permission to even talk about it. My family is receptive and is always telling me that it’s ok, but I’m still weary because I’ve been through things that I not only want to never feel again but things that alot of the ones listening wouldn’t be able to handle. But lately, in my recent projects, I’ve just let my mind flow and whatever comes off of that I’m rapping about.
V-Henny: What themes are explored in his debut single “Aries”?
VerSe Reed: Aries was a love letter to my Ex that I wrote regarding a love triangle I was in. At the time I was expected to be a father, and thought the mother of my future offspring was the love of my life. At the time though she was in love with 2 men. It got messy and resulted in a situation where she needed me to help save her and ended up putting herself back in that situation. At that moment I learned that I was leaving back to college shortly after she lost the baby and I was just over being in this situation. So I wrote a poem that turned into one of the most vulnerable songs have ever written.
V-Henny: Can you describe the impact of your performances on audiences and the music scene in NYC?
VerSe Reed: The New York scene is by far something special. But with it comes the downside of it, that being an artist in NYC and making it is a 1 in a million chance if you’re not a part of the gimmicks. The music scene is over-saturated and at times can feel like just a white blanket over the atmosphere of what we deem “making it”. It’s hard to make it here, but I also still see the beauty of coming up and making it here in the city that never sleeps. We are still a city that holds in my opinion some of the greatest talent in the world. But there needs to be an order. I also feel like there’s no unity. But at the same time, it is just in classes. Which isn’t hip-hop. but even with the complaints I still love this shit. I’m not a gimmick type of artist. So with that when I perform it’s a gift and a curse. But I can’t lie I’ve seen more of the good side of it. I’m different and I love it. I love it when I stop the crowd and bring them into my world. And for a long time, I didn’t even know I was doing so. I hate being a performer, but I love performing. Alot of people don’t see that there’s a difference. I hate putting on a show, but I love being the show. It’s kind of like catching the holy ghost or when you see Patty Labelle kick off her shoes when she is about to sweep the stands with her range and experience. That’s what I love. I put so much into my words and they mean so much to me because without them I wouldn’t know how to communicate. I’m Dyslexic so imagine that as well. So when I write it takes my soul to produce what I produce. It takes everything in me, the love for hip-hop, the love for music, and myself.
V-Henny: What accomplishments have you achieved in rap competitions and artist showcases?
VerSe Reed: I’ve won many competitions from showcases with Jes Blaze, coast to coast (NY), and multiple college competitions. I’ve won my first songwriting award for my song Don’t Ever from Tune Derby and, alot of songwriting competitions.
V-Henny: How does your artistry differ from other artists in the hip-hop genre?
VerSe Reed: I think when it comes to my artistry I’m different when it comes to my style of rap. Many people over the years said that I have the power to stop the room and have them listening. My wordplay and skill are always different from the rest. It’s not too boom bap, or conscious, but it’s not gimmicky and chasing a sound. When you listen to my projects you get to enter into my world. There’s no gatekeeper or someone who’s steering the ride but me. And as the listener you can think and escape. I’ve been told that my music stands still in time and transcends the microwave style people are used to today. That they can tell where I’m from, but won’t know where the journey they are going on until the end of the project. I’ve also been told that i disrupt the modern mechanics of writing. That my song structure isn’t ordinary which keeps them in suspense. Now I’ve also heard that i should work more on a modern-day song structure while writing but honestly, i say fuck that. I write how I want.
V-Henny: What can listeners expect from your projects, such as “Good Life Vol. 1” and “Chosen”?
VerSe Reed: With Good Life Vol 1 you can expect to hear the introduction to who Verse Reed is. I wasn’t even Verse Reed when I released that project. With that project, you can hear where I started. Now with chosen, you will hear the growth. You are expected to feel who I am. How vulnerable I’ve grown to become and who I am. Chosen is such a special project to me because honestly, it’s my cross road from who I once was to who I am now. It was a time when I was at my lowest in life. Where I lost my best friend my grandmother and how I coped with it. It’s the vessel that transposed verse reed to the world. It’s a champion stride to the finish line. It’s the book of life to who I am now and the book of death of who I once was. That is why I love that project so much. It’s my miseducation, Illmatic, blueprint, and section 80.
V-Henny: What is the significance of the title “Vibes for the Ride Vol. 1,” and what journey does it invite listeners to embark on?
VerSe Reed: Vibes for the Ride Vol 1 is the beginning of the renaissance of VerSe Reed. It’s the first project series where you will hear my alter egos and my versatility. With Vol 1 it will be the last time you will hear a full-length project from VerSe Reed (internally). It’s a 3 part series of projects where you will be exposed to the other sides of me. But overall the series is based on a collection of music you can leave this world and to the vibe. My slogan is “Feel the vibe” so with these projects you will be exposed to the vibes from start to finish. It’s designed to have no skips just something you can play from start to finish. It invites you into another multiverse of hip-hop. And it visits all stages of emotions in a way many wouldn’t expect.
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