V.I.C’S FAVOURITE MIXTAPE – AN INTERVIEW: UK rapper V.I.C is the latest artist to tell VIPER all about his favourite mixtape. He couldn’t settle on just one, so he selected two classics from Chance the Rapper and J. Cole…

What’s your favourite mixtape ever?

I can’t choose – it has to either be ‘The Warm Up’ by J. Cole or ‘Acid Rap’ by Chance The Rapper. 

Why is it so significant to you?

‘Cocoa Butter Kisses’ from ‘Acid Rap’ was the sound of my secondary school years. The sounds flow and the production in that song baffled me. Also, one of the first freestyle beats I rapped to was ‘Grown Simba’ by Cole but his lyricism at that age was so mad to me even til this age.

Were there any artists or producers that you discovered through this tape?

I can’t lie, these two songs were what got me interested in Cole and Chance. I think it might have been the seeds that grew my fascination in Hip Hop.

Where exactly were you when you heard the mixtape for the first time?

I remember for ‘Acid Rap’, I was in secondary school – probably year 10/11 – revising for an exam with my friend and she had played it. I can’t believe I actually remembered that but it’s now seared into my mind.

Did it come into your life at a significant time?

I wouldn’t say it was any more significant than any other times in my life, but I think all my memories and discoveries of certain sounds and artists are as significant as each other and might be what spawned these significant life moments.

How did the mixtape cover make you feel? 

‘Acid Rap’ definitely made me wish I broke the rules a lot more, especially coming from an African family, and wanting to be one of the cool kids. For ‘The Warm Up’, I don’t think I saw the cover, I think I ripped the project off somewhere.

Describe the mixtape in three words?

‘Acid Rap’ – Musical, innovative, stoner.

‘The Warm Up’ – Aspirational, lyrical, dreamer.

What song is your personal favourite?

‘Acid Rap’ – ‘Cocoa Butter Kisses’

‘The Warm Up’ – ‘Grown Simba’

If you could put a price on this mixtape, how much would you pay?

I can’t do that! If I had to, it would probably be something silly. But then I wouldn’t be able to buy them, the accessibility was what allowed me to be inspired by them.

Did you have a physical copy?

Nah not yet, but when I get rich, I aim to be a collector.

No? Which is your favourite that you have a physical copy of?

It’s not a mixtape but I have a copy of the ‘Forest Hill Drive’ vinyl.