Written By: Paul Amyot
Vo Williams is taking the entertainment industry by storm. A musical force and trailblazer for the rise of African American representation in entertainment, Vo has already made quite a name for himself with song placements on shows such as Empire, Ballers, Lethal Weapon, SNL and Atlanta. His self-proclaimed “Epic Hip Hop” sound is sure to make an enormous mark on the industry.
Photo Credit: Zach Ryan
upfrontNY: You have already made quite a name for yourself. How did you choose the path you have by making music for television shows and movies?
Vo Williams: Really, this path chose me. Prior to my focus on this space, I was moving in the traditional direction of looking to break as an artist with a radio hit. It was my placement in the International Trailer for ‘Big Game’ that sparked my interest in film.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us how growing up in Sarasota, Florida influenced your decision to pursue a career in music?
Vo Williams: When I was growing up in Sarasota, it was still a very small city with very limited resources for an artist. This forced me to look outward into the world to discover my voice and a way to express myself. They say limitation breeds creativity, so in a way this was a good thing.
upfrontNY: Do you come from a musical family?
Vo Williams: My Uncle is a retired music teacher, and his sons (my cousins) are both accomplished Jazz musicians. My cousins grew up in a different city, and were older, so we didn’t have much influence on each other until later on. Now, I think a lot about how I can sample their Jazz into a track. My Uncle is an incredible guy with a genuine passion for mentoring young musicians. When I first began learning guitar, he gave me his Beautiful Blonde Les Paul. I’m forever thankful for that.
upfrontNY: How has your decision to move to LA helped you to truly make your dreams become a reality?
Vo Williams: The creative energy surrounding Los Angeles is insane. Being in a city full of so many hungry and talented creators has boosted my productivity tenfold. Proximity is such a powerful resource for growth in entertainment. If you want to do anything involving any industry, you should live where that industry lives.
upfrontNY: Who would you say has been your biggest support for your career ambitions thus far?
Vo Williams: I’ve been truly blessed with so much support from my friends and family that I cannot choose just one person. Each person has had an important role and impact on my journey to where I stand today, and it’s all interconnected.
upfrontNY: Tell us what it was like when you got your first big break by having your music in the international trailer for Samuel L. Jackson’s “Big Game”?
Vo Williams: It was surreal. I got a text from my buddy in London who was watching the trailer in a theater in the U.K.. He said “This guy singing sounds like you” attached to a video clip of the movie screen. I was so hyped, I could literally feel my life changing in that moment. I knew it was time to attack this space.
upfrontNY: How does it feel to already have had your music featured in such enormously successful shows such as Empire, Ballers, Lethal Weapon, SNL and Atlanta?
Vo Williams: It’s a huge honor. I am a fan of all of those shows, so hearing my music in them makes me feel a connection to them on a deeper level now. It’s wild to imagine the fact that any time a person watches those shows, for years to come, they’ll hear my music. It’s like being embedded in history.
upfrontNY: How would you like to make your mark on the entertainment industry?
Vo Williams: I want to be known for making dope art, helping establish a greater platform for new artists, and for pioneering a new sound.
upfrontNY: What’s next for you?
Vo Williams: I’m always creating, so definitely more work is coming. Besides that, be on the look out for the Official “Snow Fall” Season 2 Trailer, featuring my song ‘Leave Em’ With Nothing’ (Produced by Robin Loxley). For more updates follow me on Instagram @Thisisvo , Twitter @Thisisvo, or Youtube.com/iamvo
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