Exposed Vocals Interviews EVG Rebel

In an industry where it is so easy to go with the grain than against it, there was a rebel. ”
EVG Rebel is a female artist hailing from the state of New Jersey. Her love for the arts started early (age 4) and began with the particular expression of dance. The high expenses of dance classes left her unable to continue with teaching but never stopped her passion. As she grew older, she took up playing various instruments such as the saxophone and the piano. Listening to legends such as Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, and others as a child helped uncover her secret love early in life for writing music, which stayed with her all the way through her young adult years. Gracing stages as a back up dancer for many well known artists such as Lil Mama and LL Cool J while also being in numerous videos, music has always played a big role in her lifestyle. It wasn’t until she started secretly posting Youtube videos of her rapping and singing that people started to take notice of her natural talent for songwriting and artistry. Becoming a youtube sensation propelled her into the forefront of many famous artists and producers willing to lend a hand a work with EVG. “Being a part of this industry teaches me a lot. You have to have a strong sense of self when being an artist…ESPECIALLY as a woman! I made a lot of mistakes and created a lot of misconceptions of how I wanted to be portrayed due to the pressures of this industry. Being a female there are a lot of standards that have nothing to do with your true talent. They seem more concerned with the lipstick that covers your mouth than what actually comes out of your mouth. I just want to be respected for the complexities of my mind and the artwork painted by my tongue. I want to celebrate the beauty of my womanhood in a honorable way and give women everywhere a voice. A REAL voice. Not one that is actually a male being a ventriloquist with a female puppet. I want to be able to tell ALL sides of a woman’s story. ”

 

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

 

EVG Rebel: I grew up in a town called Rahway, NJ. Most people either haven’t heard of it or relate it to the prison, which technically isn’t even in Rahway! I had a love for writing and the arts overall for all of my life. I used to secretly keep a notebook full of poems and song ideas. One day, while in college, I decided to embark on the new internet hub called Youtube, and posted a video of me freestyling. To my surprise, it caught on like wildfire and I started posting songs up on a daily basis. Nobody outside of the Youtube world in my life knew of my hidden talent, until one of my friends bumped into one of my videos online. He put me in a professional recording studio, and the rest was history.

 

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

 

EVG Rebel: EVG is actually a play on my real name initials. Rebel just seems to best describe my purpose in this industry. I’m a rebel with a cause.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

 

EVG Rebel: I think online music sharing is a beautiful thing. I give away free music from time to time because primarily, I make music for the love of it. I appreciate people that always support me and that is my way of saying thank you. On the other hand, I love doing music so much, I hope to one day make a full living off of it so there has to be a balance.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

EVG Rebel: I still consider myself in the beginning stages of my career but I know that I am further from where I started. My advice is to always be ready because you never know when your opportunities will come. When I say ready, I mean make sure your music is all professionally recorded, your website and social media is all up to par, your portfolio is updated, your stage show is perfected. The worst thing you can do is blow a big opportunity because you weren’t prepared. Always conduct yourself as a major artist; not in ego, but in professionalism. People talk. You leave a good impression the first time around, word will spread to the right people. Unfortunately, the same thing happens when you leave a bad impression.

 

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

 

EVG Rebel: I gather inspiration from life! Everything I experience, the people I come across and their experiences, current events, etc. Art truly imitates life for me. I don’t have a actual process. When music and ideas come to me, I just go with it. My favorite place to write is in the bathroom though. I know, kind of weird.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

 

EVG Rebel: I will just give you my website. www.evgrebelnation.com. My website has all the other links to every other platform I am on.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

 

EVG Rebel: Wow. good question. I think I would make sure my family is good first, so a portion of that money would go to them. The other portion would be to invest back into my career and the people a part of my label. The other portion would go to investing in a few business ideas I have to make even more money.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

 

EVG Rebel: All avenues possible. The more the better. It works best for me to utilize a little bit of everything especially online since different platforms reach different people.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

 

EVG Rebel: I just released something i’m calling an “Instagram EP”. It’s called UNFOLLOW , and it is 5 one-minute tracks with visuals to go with them only available on Instagram. You have to follow me on (@evgrebel) to view it. I have a new single coming out in July called “Verified” and an EP coming out called “The Flux” by the end of the summer. Great things are happening.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

 

EVG Rebel: I would be teaching dance classes to kids all over the area. That is my other love that keeps me going everyday.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

 

EVG Rebel: I will tell you one thing. It is very hard. There honestly is no trick to it or secret formula. You just have to be committed to what you want. You have to practice balancing everything and when needed you have to be willing to make sacrifices.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

EVG Rebel: They should look forward to seeing a lot more of me this year.