My name is Vernon Little. I’m a hip hop/holy hip hop artist from the Bronx, N.Y. I was dedicated to the Lord as a baby in the early 1970’s, and raised in the church. My mother was a devout Christian who attended church regularly. My parents were together until I was 7 years old. After divorcing, my mother took my brother and I to the Co-op City section of the Bronx, while my dad moved to the Parkchester section.

As a teen, I started hanging out in the streets a lot. My mother worked long hours and went to bible school, so I had a lot of freedom. I didn’t go to school much for the first two years of high-school. I also began drinking alcohol. I got introduced to graffiti at that time and began writing on walls and trains. I got arrested one time for it. One good thing around this time was me getting introduced to rap music… Click Here To Read More About Vernon Little

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1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?

Opportunity presented itself. Through a mutual friend, I ended up at a local DJ’s apartment. That DJ (Joe Stick) invited me to rap. I took him up on that. Joe had a friend who knew somebody looking to record a rap group. Joe, MC Kay, and myself began going to the studio with our manager (Peter). I took it serious from that point.

Run DMC, Fat Boys, Whodini, LL Cool J, and Cold Crush were among some our early influences. Later on, Kool G Rap, Nas, and a few others.

2.) If you could compare yourself to someone who is already established in your line of work, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then what separates you from other everyone else who does what you do?

3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the work that you do? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming an entrepreneur?

I made a lot of bad decisions in my late teens – which led to me being incarcerated. That experience made me do a 180 degree turn from a negative lifestyle to more of a positive one. I also began thinking about leaving a positive legacy behind.

4.) How do you prepare yourself to create? What is your process?

I can’t just create at the drop of a dime. Ideas have to come to me. When they do, I begin putting a project together.

5.) Unfortunately many industries are full of talented individuals who more or less become the “starving artist” and don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?

I believe things happen in Gods timing. All I can do is work, learn, practice, and network. But ultimately, things happen in His time. I just have to be ready and prepared.

6.) Would you rather work for a big corporation or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? What makes one better than the other?

Both have their advantages. I’m looking for a big corporation to give me exposure. Once I get it, I’ll look to be independent for ownership purposes.

7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the creative industry and how artists are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s economy if they’re not social media savvy?

It makes things easier as far as contacting people. I don’t have to go out knocking on doors anymore, or making as many phone calls. You can survive without it, but you won’t be as successful.

8.) Typically, entrepreneurs who try to create products and/or services for mass consumption for the general public and make more money are seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure that what you offer stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?

I don’t see it that way if you’re adding to your core/base product and not substituting/replacing it. It’s about growth and development. You should be close enough to your roots to relate, but far enough ahead to motivate.

9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

I look to have more independent success, and to be in a position where I’m employing people, or providing opportunities for them.