VONEX aka The Dope$t Nobody on "Major League", Creativity & Self-Awareness
Emerging creative force, VONEX, also known as The Dope$t Nobody, is clear about his position in the music industry and the rules for his career. Self-awareness is a foundational requirement for success. Either you define who you are or someone else will do it for you.
Born in Nashville, Tennessee, VONEX always had a desire for something that could deliver him from his burdensome younger days. He joined the band in high school and developed an ear for music. The experience led him toward producing, which seemed like his calling.
As he entered college, however, his passion turned to other untapped talents that he didn’t realize he possessed; song writing, rapping and performing. “My friend, Sosa Gutta, pushed me to rap after he heard me freestyle,” recalls VONEX. At that moment, VONEX was born.
While influenced by the complexities of music (a different song, a different voice, a different beat) Von credits his true influences to his family and their encouragement for him to stand out and maintain his creative freedom. As he remembers his childhood, he chooses to focus on the motivation and strength he gained from his mother and grandparents, rather than the negatives he encountered along the way.
Von now spends most of his time honing his craft and building his musical presence within his hometown city of Nashville. “I realize that creativity is an art, and building a supportive fan base and establishing uniqueness holds a key piece to the lifeline of my success. I would rather people connect with my music genuinely. I want them to hear, see and feel my creativity and relate to my story. That’s why I write, produce, record, mix and perform my own music.”
VONEX is driven by his desire to share his musical talents and lyrical gifts with the world. With a firm and grounded foundation with Beat Street Entertainment, along with an unyielding will to achieve success, this young phenom is here to create his own path.
Learn more about VONEX's unique journey in this exclusive interview, where he gets into the meaning behind his moniker, The Dope$t Nobody, choosing which of his many gifts to pursue and why quitting is not an option. Right now and only on Hype Off Life 👊🏾
Thanks for coming through! Tell us more about your come up.
Hello and thanks for having me. I'd have to say my come up is honestly still in progress. I'm just grateful for the opportunity to do what I love and have a passion for. I did have an ascension phase in my life where I feel I just became a different artist. Rising to a different level of creativity. I will say this though, everyone does come up eventually and I've came a long way from where me and my team first started from and that's a blessing in itself.
You’re also known as “The Dopest Nobody”. What does that title mean to you?
Yes, The Dope$t Nobody has a very wide range of meaning. Not to be confused with calling myself a Nobody, but to shed light on the talents and attributes that I have to offer. A lot of people tend to overlook the talent in a person, they rather hate than to congratulate or make mention to his or her social media followers of an up and coming artist or artists. I say I'm The Dope$t Nobody because I believe that people know how dope I am musically, fashionably and as a genuine person overall but will still choose to look the other way lol..even though they see my light shining. I also feel a lot of people can relate to the name/phrase.
As long as you're consistent and persistent with your grind, you'll pursue the dream.
As a multi-talented artist with many gifts, how do you decide what to put your attention on?
That's the tricky part about being a Producer/Artist/Engineer/Creator/Song Writer but it's also a blessing at the same time. It's a challenge to just focus on being just one of the above. However, it's a challenge I enjoy because at any given notice I can create everything from an empty canvas to coming out with a vivid painting. Starting with making the track to coming up with the hook while I'm still producing the track to actually coming up with the verse and then recording everything myself. Honestly, I do tend to focus my attention on the producing side a little more only because I know the words will come and everything else will fall into place.
Speaking of gifts, you just dropped a new video for “Major League”. What inspired you to write the track?
I'd have to say my inspiration for writing "Major League" was simply the leveling up in my life. The push that me and my team had planned out. The moves that were being made on my behalf. The response from different people that saw the push that did and didn't support it. Whether it was a direct response or response from people’s actions of the "love & hate". Regardless, the grind didn't and doesn't stop for me.
Who did you make it for?
The song "Major League" was universally created. I feel that any and everyone can relate to this record. Anyone that's been working hard and waiting for their opportunity. Whether it’s musically, athletics, modeling, corporate world, etc. There's a major league in every aspect. As long as you're consistent and persistent with your grind, you'll pursue the dream.
The best feeling in the world is to be able to create something extraordinary from absolutely nothing
You have expressed a strong need to maintain your creative freedom. In what ways has remaining independent allowed you to do that, as opposed signing a deal?
I feel that being independent allows me the freedom to create wherever my mind takes me, that's a part of my brand. I would never knock signing a major deal because we all know they're the machine behind the artist. I definitely would rather not be put in a box to cater to one genre or specific sounding type of music. Some labels will allow that freedom if you signed the right deal. Right now, I'm loving the creative freedom I have as an ARTIST.
You’ve also overcome numerous struggles in your past. What gave you the will to keep going and follow your dreams?
2020 ...It was a hell of a year. I've always had the "never give up" mentality. I also have people that depend on me, so honestly to give up and quit is out of the question. I also love what I do so that drives me, as well. The best feeling in the world is to be able to create something extraordinary from absolutely nothing.
When did you discover your purpose and clarify your vision?
I discovered my true purpose in 2009, even though I had been doing music well before then. My brother was in the worst car accident ever and when he recovered from that accident all he wanted to do was listen to my music. Knowing the impact my music has on his life and the way it made him feel led me to realize that it touched many others around me, as well. My manager always told me I had an aura about myself and that I was called to do this. I just took those words she gave me and ran with that. 14 years later I'm still in the game.
You’re also driven by a desire to share your gifts with the world. Why do you feel it’s important for people to experience your music?
Great choice of words. I do feel that my music is an experience. Overall, I just want the people to understand and get some type of message from the music. People deal with a lot in today's society, but music is the soundtrack to life. I'd like to give ppl a reason to believe in something, a reason to go after the things you want in life.
What place does self-awareness and personal development have in your life?
Self-awareness means a lot to me, I believe you have to truly know yourself and to know what it is that you want in life. Your character has to define you fully before you can give any of yourself to someone else let alone the world.
What would you call this chapter of your life?
This Chapter in my Life is called The Dope$t Nobody Season. No Pun intended, lol. Nah, all jokes aside, I definitely would call this chapter in my life "Progression". I've made a hell of a lot of progress from my recent years being in this game. It's only up from here!!!!
Any message to your supporters?
Of course! I just wanna tell everyone that's ever supported me. I appreciate every download, every view, every like and comment that's ever been directed towards me. There's a lot on the way starting with this 'The Dope$t Nobody' EP which I'm dropping in the near future. Stay tuned for new videos, songs and new merchandise that's coming soon.
