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With a resume that includes modeling and fashion pursuits, and a background in sports and fitness, Illie Vega may seem more like a Renaissance Man than a straight-up MC. But make no mistake: Illie Vega has something to say.
His debut single, “Goals,” lays down the gauntlet. Over a bouncy bassline and reverb-soaked piano melody, Vega’s lines interweave with a rapid-fire synth drum machine. With a voice ranging from a gravelly growl to a smooth higher register, Vega spins lyrics that are defiant, motivational, and designed to get you over the next hill.
Vega says, “‘Goals’ is about motivation and perseverance. It’s for anyone fighting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The song wants you to be self-reliant. Have ambition. Push through setbacks. As Vega raps, it’s better to “Live with the pain of failure over regret.” Don’t be afraid of failing; your best bet is betting on yourself.
“I want my music to give people energy in the gym or on the dance floor,” Vega says, “but also leave them with something real: substance and redemption.”
A New Yorker through and through, Illie Vega was born and raised in Queens and Westchester. He grew up steeped in the sounds of NYC legends like Nas, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent, while music also filled his home. His mother sang and danced, and his father – a cardiologist and entrepreneur who immigrated from Ghana – shared his love of soul greats like Sam Cooke.
His father also encouraged Vega to pursue his artistic talents before passing away a few years ago. With his father’s high expectations spurring him on, Vega dedicates his new music to his late father.
“My father came from Ghana with nothing and built a life for our family. He always told me I’d be good in show business, and even when his health declined, his belief in me never wavered. This music is dedicated to him. His journey and his spirit are the foundation of everything I do.”
The single “Goals” is the first track on Vega’s forthcoming debut EP, Vega Genesis. The title is a reference to the artist’s love of the gaming console (Sega Genesis) when he was a child, but also serves as a double meaning, pointing to the new beginning in his music career.
With a style rooted in East Coast hip hop, but not boxed into any one subgenre of hip hop, “Goals” reveals Illie Vega as a versatile rapper and songwriter. Like the Sega Genesis and New York rappers, Vega’s sound is old school and gritty. But it also brings a modern, high-energy sound all its own.
Vega says, “This is my debut. It’s the first chance for the world to hear me, and I’m ready to give everything I’ve got.” Just like in the song, he’s upping the score.
“Goals” is available on September 12 on all streaming platforms.
Follow Illie Vega at the links below:
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