#OnTheBlock: @BravoOfVA Transitions from Ex-Convict to Freestyle Champion; Releases “For The Record” Video Ms. Bels Wednesday, January 29, 2014 On The Block, The Studio, The Vault Meet Taijuan “Bravo” Kenney of Richmond, Virgina. The emcee recently won the 2013 DTLR and Converse Rubber Tracks 16 Bar battle in New York City. Still riding the wave from this nationally recognized competition, Bravo remains on schedule with his plans to one day become a mogul and key figure in hip hop. His journey into rap game is an interesting one. See, Bravo’s shoes just hit the Virginia soil in 2012. He has been incarcerated since 2002. But, Bravo’s 10 year bid helped him realize that even under the worst circumstances, you can still make the most of it. Which is why, the lyricist used this time to earn a GED and perfect his craft. STACKS Magazine wanted to talk to Bravo to understand how he’s been able to remain positive and persevere. In addition, we wanted to congratulate him on his Converse 16 Bar Freestyle win and see how he felt about the Southern rap versus New York rap controversy. Check out his interview below… On his start in rap… Ok,. Well, I was rapping pretty much before I got incarcerated. But, I wasn’t taking it seriously. Then, I got incarcerated and did a lot of growing up and thinking – in that time I got my education [GED], took a few college courses and at that point I was growing and maturing. I realized that my writing had become a lot more mature. It became from a “like” to a “love”. I just went at it and did a lot of research on things I needed to know in terms of the industry and to come home and put things in motion. With God graces, I found a studio to record out of and we just went strong with it. On his inspirations… Musically, it was guys like Jay Z and ,of course, Rakim. I grew up under adult guys like that Nas, Jay Z, and Jadakiss. I like people with substance (people who are actually talking about something instead of what’s going on with music). Those are my music influences. Then, I had other influences like historical figures like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X…guys who sent a message because I like to send a message through my music as well. It leaves something behind for someone else can pick up, a journey that they can live by, and continue to live by. That’s what I like at the end of the day. There are going to be the kids that will be listening to it. So, you want to give them something influential because we are not always going to be around the kids and they are going to pick up on things. And, it may not always be good things but I want it to be good things. On future endeavors… Realistically, I’m 31 now. I really don’t want to be 40 years old still on stage. No disrespect to the guys that are still doing it. I really don’t want to be. Right now, I look at one of the stepping stones is to be me venturing off to having a shoe line, a clothing line, doing real estate things of that nature. Also, becoming a mogul as someone who can bring a lot of things to this city that I’m in now which is Richmond, which really don’t have anything, especially musically. It’s so hard for those who have the title to do things. I want to be the one for those people…to be the fore front of that. That’s my long term and short term goals. On his Converse Battle Competition win… I think it’s a combination of both. I seen people that has had the greatest talent in the world and they just can’t perform in front of a crowd. They get nervous and fumbled at the competition and he was a dope artist, but he couldn’t seize the moment. Then you have those who are talented and who can win the crowd. And that’s one of the things I did. I think I was the only person from Richmond there in New York in such a hostile environment. The guy from Baltimore had a million people there. I had to mentally win the crowd because what happens is the crowd had to choose who the winner is overall. On why this battle was different than others… I’ve been in a couple of battles, but this one was more magnified to the point where the other battles are regular battles. Guys around the way. Local crowds cheering you on. This one you had celebrities there like Mobb Deep was there. Buck Shot was there. Sway was there. Also, I was in a completely different city. I knew no one there it was just me and what I knew and my talent. It was a growth experience and at the same time. The magnitude was so much better. They [Converse & DTLR] did an awesome job they treated us like stars… courtesy t-shirts and signing autographs. They made us feel like we was apart of something big. On what he received as the rap battle winner… I got a shopping spree with DTLR. I got a single recording deal with DTLR, which I record at the Converse studio in Brooklyn. The single will be distributed to all DTLR stores and on DTLR radio constantly. I will be going on Sway in the morning soon. Then, MTV after that. On the Trinidad James and Maino, South vs New York beef… For one, I think New York rappers need to quit complaining. Honestly, I think you have to adapt to the times. I’m not saying you should change your morals and the way you do things. But, you need to adapt. I’ve seen a couple of NY artist do it, but that’s what you have to do is adapt to the times. I am very proud of the southern music even though I don’t agree to a lot of it. For the longest time, New York had things on lock and now that the south have it, I feel a lot of hate going on with the northern people…it’s all good. I just think people need to grow up and make music. Do what they feel is in their heart. Whether they make it big or not, as long as you did what you felt was right – at the end of the day that is what’s important. On how he differs from other rap artists… I bring a combination of old school hip hop and a little of the new. Even though I’m 31, I’m very hip to whats going on now and I’m able to talk the slang. I’m able to relate to the younger people. So I’m able to keep myself “old hip hop” and give off a message and do things like the old artist would like tell stories like Slick Rick and Nas did. Being able to paint those pictures where you can listen to it and it actually make you feel like you were there when they was telling a story. I think this is what’s missing, ultimately, is substance. Instead of everyone talking about popping molly and things like that. So, I think that’s what I will be bringing to the table. On any future projects… I do…actually the mixtape. This will be hosted by a DJ named, DJ Swerve Danerio. He is a big DJ here at Power 92. Then, after that, I will drop an EP called Single Print. After that that the album, Restraint Order. On his advice to former inmates worried about stepping back into civilization… Don’t think too much of it because the more you think about it the more you get discouraging. It could be and it definitely could be that the devil is working. You can’t be discouraged. Keep pushing and be strong man and allow God to do his will. Follow Bravo on Twitter and Instagram @BravoOfVA and listen to his music at www.soundcloud.com/BravoofVa. Video for “For The Record”: “For The Record” – Bravo from Tracey Fobbs on Vimeo.
