Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another episode of Couple O' Nukes. As always, I'm your host, Mr. Whiskey, and I realized that it looks like I'm wearing just a white t shirt. I actually wore, some merch from my favorite rapper, and it looks like I'm just wearing a white t shirt like I'm bumming out, but it's actually from my favorite rapper because it ties into today's episode.I've had a lot of great guests on the show. I mean, a lot of very phenomenal people. But today's guest is someone I admire in particular, even slightly envious of, because if you haven't been following the show or my social medias or, you know, whatever the case may be, you won't know this, but my ultimate goal in life is to be a conscious rapper and a rapper who talks about mental health and all that stuff.There's a big rise of that. There's still plenty of rappers that do the opposite. So, but yeah, we're here today with someone who, unlike me, so I've got the music videos done. I've got the lyrics done. I've got the beats done. I just don't have the vocals ready, and that could take forever. I'm trying to get lessons and all that, and by lessons I mean just any time I can practice.I'm practicing. I learned about vocal warmups. I realized you can't just, you know, just start singing. You should warm up, especially if you're going to be putting something online. But yeah, we're here with someone who has actually done all of that. I was listening to his music all day in preparation for this conversation and it's great stuff and we're gonna have the link in the Description below so y'all can check out some of those songs.But yeah, mr. Rich vision I'm, so excited to have you here. Like I said, this is something i'm passionate about definitely something you're passionate about So we're going to get right into it and we'll start with having you introduce yourself a little bit to us Thank you so much, Mr. Whiskey. It's such a privilege to be on your podcast.I I am a recording artist slash author slash spoken word artist. And my main mission in life is to bridge the gap between music and mental health and to remind other people that they are worthy to be here and not to resort to suicide. And a lot of my stories based on me feeling like I wasn't enough.So, The things that I share in my messages in regards to my music and my poetry and my book is something that I needed to hear when I was going through my darker days of depression and fighting those suicidal thoughts. Yeah, and like I said, I was listening to your music and one of the words you mentioned a lot was gaslighting, which really hasn't become a buzzword until the past few years, although it's something that has been going on for a long time.Time and it's stemmed from a British thriller really where this guy was turning down the Gas lamps and then the woman was saying is there something wrong or lights wrong? He's like, no, it's all you and that's how simple it is But I've listened to your music and I've also experienced gaslighting and it can get much more complicated than that much more abusive than that it plays a great role in narcissism.People who are narcissistic are excellent at gaslighting and definitely enjoy it. And it goes into manipulation. All of that goes into mental health. And, yeah, I really appreciate your lyrics. And so, let's talk a little bit more about whatever you're comfortable talking with, which is kind of, you talk about suicidal ideation and, and battles with mental health.Let's start with where you were kind of born and raised and how that impacted everything. Yeah, I mean, I was, I was born in Born in Bronx. I've been raised in Brooklyn pretty much all my life. And to be honest When it comes to just where I'm at in general, it's just I thank God I haven't, I didn't really struggle as far as, like, Getting into, like, fights and things like that, which I'm grateful for.Yeah. And, you know, I didn't grow up in a time where, you know, a lot of the things that a lot of people who are older experienced a lot of things like, you know, violence and things like that in front of them. So I'm grateful that I had, you know, I, I was able to Not experienced that. And I experienced my own struggles, mental struggles, not pertaining to a particular environment, but it's just for me, like me putting myself out there really attributed to a lot of my mental health scares.Because early on I was getting a lot of like, feedback that was negative and destructive in regards to my music, and then I, I also internalized a lot of this stuff too, because I didn't have the the wherewithal to be able to know, like, to, or discern, you know, this is somebody's opinion, not, you know, my reality.And and able to rewrite my own story versus adhering to what people thought of my music as trash or XYZ or not good enough, instead of owning my music as this is an expression of who I am and the expression of the moment that I'm, that I'm present, you know, that I'm living in at this present moment.And, you know, I started to after that, just to develop a strong sense of self after the fact that I was going through all those things with backlash, with overcoming those, you know, mental hurdles with addressing criticism online as well. Yeah, for sure. I know a lot of people get caught up in trying to appease others and conforming to.And in fact, the, the shirt I'm wearing actually is from the God Mode rap from Tom McDonald. And it starts off, whether you like political music or not, that's the type he makes, but he goes, I've been hearing that they think my political music is boring. Tell them, I'm sorry. I've been rapping about things that I feel are important.And that part right there, the things that I feel are important because it's his music and just like your music is your music. And my music will be my music. Really, you know, just the same thing happens with writing when it comes to books, TV shows, whatever, even social media influencers, we get caught up in wanting to appease others and get more followers and we forget that ultimately we're doing it for ourselves.And yeah, we want to entertain and educate along the way. But we want to do it our style, in our way. And then we'll change up to try and reach more people. But sometimes it's so much more important to reach people the way you want to. Reach the people you want to. Definitely with criticism, we live in a world where, I've talked about it before, social media is just so toxic.Now, it depends on the platform. It's interesting. Believe it or not, the TikTok community is actually pretty supportive and positive. I have yet to find, I don't really have TikTok, but when my friends are using it, I rarely see any negative comments. Now, I am an Instagram user, and I gotta say, between that, now I haven't used Twitter, aka X, but I've heard those two are pretty much tied.And anytime I go to the Instagram comment section, it is just, Negative hatred sexual perversion just and I said, you know There's a difference between constructive criticism and just hating just trolling right people were saying. Hey, I love your music I've been doing the same thing for a while. Here's how you could improve or here's if I'm like and that's the thing When you post online typically the people who will help you or people who are actually successful and the people who are hating on you Typically aren't that's the sad part, you know It's typically people who you know are at the same level or below you You And yeah, there's definitely a lot of when you put yourself out online, you are opening yourself to the whole world.And unfortunately we live in a world where there's a lot of good people. And a lot, lot of bad people. So let's start with when you started writing music, where you discovered your passion for song creation. Yeah. To be honest, it really started journaling when I was in, I would say like middle school, I started introduced in school about journaling, you know, how my day went and for me, just the fact of like, I was able to be expressive.I didn't know how much healing that did for me and how cathartic it was to be able to express myself and to allow myself to go to those, even if it's not, if it wasn't like a deep thought per se, it was just like expressing like how the day went, like for me that did something for me mentally that I feel like I wasn't stimulated in that, from that regard before.So I started just exploring that curiosity. Hey, maybe this could be something. I started working on writing raps and poetry first and soon later on I started to really get excited about those things and then I started this, like, hey, you know, Maybe I could write a, you know, rap over a beat or something.And I just started to just started to, you know, play around with certain ideas. And, you know, for me, it was just like the whole exploration of the craft, this mesmerized by it. And I was like, this is something here that's healing me. I'm like, let me continue. And then it got to the point where I was I'm like, Hey, I can turn this into a song.And I, you know, not realizing it. And I started You know, these, these books pages that I've just free writing you know, about my day and this life. I just thought, I'm like, oh my goodness, like there's so much material in here that I could just turn this into a song. And then they started to take shape and then.I started to I went into a a school that they had that my sister introduced me to that had vocal coach and then they had like a, a studio also in the, the same building. And she was like, Oh, maybe take vocal lessons and things like that. I said, okay, you know, try it out. And then I ended up getting into the studio and doing some original songs there.And then after that. I made it my mission to go into a college for audio engineering and I did some songs in their studio as well. And then I just started building my catalog after I started just getting my foot into those places where I can just, like, Record my, my music for the first time, not really experienced as a recording artist, just figuring it out as I went, not really having a blueprint, and then it just started to branch off from there.Yeah, and I know, I highly encourage everyone who likes writing poetry to check out rapping. When we hear rapper, we think, We think it's got to be super fast or some of us are thinking mumble rap or even this negative stereotype that you have to be black to rap that you know, no one else can rap You know, there's a lot of different barriers around it.And what I'll say is, you are a conscious rapper, which for people who don't know what that means It's more like you're rapping about mental health and change. You're meant to educate and promote something good whereas other rap Primarily it's about, you know, the club, drugs, cars, money, right?And, I definitely, I follow a lot of conscious rappers who are against that stuff because, they're promoting teenagers encouraging them to do awful things In fact, I highly encourage everyone i'll have in the description below blame the rappers by tom mcdonald featuring dax Talks about the effect or music does change lives I mean music is very powerful and i've had some friends who are like music is nothing I said music is one of those things that it can completely change your mood like that I mean you could be having a great day and you hear a sad song that makes you think of something and suddenly you're just like In your feelings, you know, or vice versa.I mean, it is so powerful and think about song lyrics. I mean, there are people with Alzheimer's and dementia who don't remember. You know, some of their grandkids or even their kids, but a song comes on and they know every word. They know every word from 19, you know, 80. It's music is very powerful. I got songs from childhood that I haven't listened to in a decade and a half here.And then they come on in the radio and I'm like, how do I know every word? You know, it's so beautiful, that connection. And my point was going to get into is two rappers that I really like who are conscious rappers, Ivan B and NF. They're, they're, yeah, you know, they're like My point being that you don't have to rap fast to impress, right?You don't have to be very musically talented, which they are by the way But they do a more storytelling and more slower style more talk rap and I love it. I enjoy it, you know Even like Johnny Cash isn't a rapper, but he'll do storytelling with his songs and it's still I mean everyone knows Johnny Cash pretty much.He's still a legend, right? And his old songs used to tell a story in chronological order, you know, and there are plenty of rappers and other songwriters and singers who do that. So I just want to say, because Rich, you mentioned about writing and writing being an outlet, and it really is, and I highly encourage everyone, you know, I've had a lot of great guests who say if, when you put pen to paper, it releases, it's different when you see it, when you release it.Same for me. I love writing poetry. I love writing fiction. I love writing poetry. Non fiction not so much, you know, the fiction in the songs kind of put a little layer between y'all But when you do the non fiction, it's like, all right, this is too personal now. Yeah, but yeah, we talked about you know So if you're a poet, I highly you know, just put a beat to your poem And you know most poetry people like to rhyme.I I'm not a big fan of non rhyming poetry. I'm sorry I just can't do it, you know, but I love Poetry that rhymes, you just put a beat to it and you can, you can start there and you might find that it's you like it even more. So I highly encourage everyone to try writing a little bit. So we're just getting back to you and you started writing and then you talk about audio engineering, kind of get in a space to record and then where was the first time, actually, let's start with what was your first song, your first, obviously you wrote plenty of ideas and songs here and there, but.What was the first one that you locked in on and you were like, this is going to be my first song. This is the one I want to focus on. Yeah that's a good question. When I first started, it was a couple of songs that I had. I don't remember. I think the song was about just overcoming, like, just like this kind of like one of those overcoming songs of resiliency.I think it was called go hard or something like that. It was kind of like just I think it was kind of like a a, a, a, a title that was, that wasn't really formulated with a much for thought. It was just like That was the name of the beat. So I kind of just left it, but I think really the, the most powerful song from the first project that I put out which, which is my AP called set in stone, which I released while 2015, which was so long ago.And the song called my only option I have, that's like one of my only songs that I had three verses on there. And it's about me just, you know, overcovering those those inner demons and those naysayers that say I'm not enough, or, you know, I'm not, you know, gonna be a rapper, or I'm not saying anything as a rapper, so I was just kind of like, speaking to that side of things and, When I used to when I had the inspiration of the song, I thought about those, because I was at a time and space where I I had a tendency of screenshotting a lot of the stuff that people were saying to me for some reason.I didn't know why I did it at the time. But I held on to a lot of that for so long of like, and, you know, I would always put it away and put it in the folder and I would look at this stuff and I'm like, man, like, I guess I wanted to prove to them that. I was always enough, but I also had to prove to myself that I was enough to be a recording artist.And I think that's the most important thing for me, to realize is that, you know, I always been enough. I just needed to, sometimes it just took, you know, other people to kind of bring that out of me, so to speak, and me realizing that within myself. By putting out those records that remind me like, yeah, my only option is to sign like, you know, and it was just one of those catchy songs that I just kind of just like fell in love with because it really brought me back to the reason why I was doing it, which is to help other people realize their worth.Right. And we talked already about how there's so much negativity in the world. There's so many awful comments online and you could definitely. Look at them and just shut down and be like, I'm not doing this. This is stupid. This is a waste of time. Or you can hold on to them and use that as fuel for self improvement and you know, I'll show them and all of that.And it's, it's definitely great to use that as fuel. And to also take it with a grain of salt and ignore it to some degree because people are, listen, I've, I've had content out there. It could be a genuine piece of advice that applies to everyone. And people will still just dislike it to dislike it. You know, people are just intent on spreading hate.So I appreciate you, you know, still doing what you do. It, it takes a lot. And I think, especially in this online industry, Those first, you know, weeks, months, maybe even years are the roughest, where you're just figuring everything out, developing your voice, developing your music style, developing your online presence.So, it's definitely hard to get over that, and then still hard as you get through that. Now, what is, we just went over, you know, your first kind of project. What are you working on right now, coming up in the future, or anything that just released in terms of your music? Yes I have a song that, well, It's still pretty new called I am enough.Yes, as I am. And that song is a powerful record. That I, I wrote when I was, you know, thinking about again, you know, some of the things that I was told, but also, you know, Thinking about like what it means like to actually accept who I am as a person and also as an artist because for a long time I struck back my purpose and I played really small.You know, I hung my head like I was a nobody. I walked in the room like I didn't belong there. And so I voted in that space where I was telling myself that, you know, I needed to, to hear that. Like, someone saying to me, like, you are enough, yes, you are. Don't care less, you know, if everybody, nobody understands.Hey. I care less about what they, what they don't understand about my self worth because I know within me I am worthy and I've always been worthy and that's what, that's what that song is about. And what I am working on is, is getting another single out and the single is, is about people who are in a space mentally where they feel like they want to hold everything and within themselves.And it's a song called I don't I don't keep it to myself. It's, it's, it's coming out very, very soon. I'm working on getting the getting the edits back for my produce producer. And I, I fell in love with the record because I'm like, man, like so many times I'm like, I wish I would have told somebody how I was feeling.Yeah. And I would have not been so damn depressed, you know, lonely in my room, you know, and, you know, succumbing to vices like, you know, drinking and things like that to numb the pain. Or, you know, watching pornography, just like all these things to escape. And I'm like, wow. I'm like, man, like, and then I also realized that it was by me actually vocalizing, like, I need help, like, I'm not okay, is really what helped me to, like, stay here, like, you know, to today, like, because I've had times where I'm like, I'm not gonna make it, and I had to reach out to someone.To hold space for me when I couldn't hold space for myself, so I'm, I'm happy about that song coming out soon because it's, it's, I know it's gonna change the game for mental health music in general because it's gonna really show, you know, dictate a different narrative because out there, the narrative is The narrative is don't tell nobody your secrets, you know, stay put, keep everything to yourself.Like you're supposed to be a man, man up, take it to the chin. I hear all of this BS. I'm like, that's not the narrative. That's not, that's a false narrative. You know, what about we changing the narrative and say, Hey, I am worthy to get the help I deserve, which is the reason why I am reaching out because I want to be here for my legacy.I want to be here for my family. That's the thing, and that's what I want people to get out of the song when I release it. It's like, hey, You may say, you know, I need to keep it to myself, but I'm not going to keep it to myself because I have someone, someone to live for. So that's what, that's what I'm working on is putting out music that has a message that, that people can, could not only relate to could, could really change their psyche a bit.Cause I, I, I'm a little bit tired of the same, like you, to your point, the same trash music that's killing the youth. I just, I'm over it. Over sexualized, you know, too much gory violence and it's so much perversion and I'm like, I'm not at a point where I'm like, I'm, I'm this CEO of my life so I'm able to.Share exactly what I go through and change that, the, the scope of the industry by speaking about these things that some people are not, because if I'm not, if I'm not the agent for change, who will be? Yeah, and you mentioned a bit of stoicism, holding in your emotions there and that kind of stuff, and I just gotta say, plug for an artist I like.Ladies and gentlemen, if you haven't heard Dax, he has a song to be a man and real man. I mean, captures the, if you're a man specifically, I mean, it really captures that. And like you said, devastating consequences to holding everything in and you've got people here you got to take care of and including yourself and Very beautiful and ladies and gentlemen, it doesn't have to be rap, right?If you can bring about change with any music genre, I mean whether it's pop or Rock or whatever else out there. I mostly just listen to rap in country So whatever else is out there that I don't know about there's a lot of there's a lot of genres There's a lot of genres and you can always bring something back.That's been dead for a while, too That's always a great thing to have but yeah, rich. I really appreciate everything. You just said there I think it's so important that we Try to bring about change, a good change, you know, our music can either affect people in a negative way or a positive way. And we want to help them, like you said, overly perverted.And a lot of consumerism telling you to buy this, to buy that, you know? So I really appreciate. The reason I like country music, because I know a lot of people listen to country music and they think, Oh, it's just about pickup trucks, and it's just about, you know, the Chevy in the mud and all that. Eh, there's plenty of that, and plenty of beer.But there's a lot of good family more, a lot of family centered music within that industry. And that's important. The rap, most of it is about, you know, going out by yourself and, you know, hanging out with people that you never see again. Whereas a lot of country stuff, you know, it's more small town, family oriented stuff.So that, I think that's the importance. But. Yeah, I really appreciate that and we're looking forward to that song release like you said it sounds like it's something you're really pouring your heart into and I think it's a great thing and You know just speaking of well, actually I want to go back You know, you're kind of talking about feeling like a nobody and all that and I'm just gonna you know Help hype you up here to everyone.Ladies and gentlemen, please pay attention to this cuz rich if I'm not mistaken You've actually been featured in some radio some magazines You And obviously that external validation doesn't necessarily matter if you don't feel good enough, you don't feel good enough, I get that, but I do want to hype you up a little bit here, tell us a little bit about, you've been featured in the radio and magazines, I mean that's some awesome stuff right there.No, I really, I really do appreciate that because there's been times where I was just thinking like, you know, what, man, why I'm not getting the opportunities and it's these but you know, but about the thing about that is I was also persistent and in regards to my approach like I'm getting on this, you know, radio station and I'm getting on this blog, you know, I was really putting in the work to get to those spaces where I'm like, okay, I finally have someone who's like, genuinely interested in featuring me.And my music and things like that, or see value in what I'm doing, putting out, which I'm grateful for. Because I don't take for granted anyone who is taking the time to, because there's so many artists out there, you know, and, you know, they can pick anybody else to feature. So when I get featured, especially on a radio station, and my music is playing, it just means a lot, because it just shows that they are here for the music.They really are. So that, that is greatly appreciated and moments like that, I just remind myself that, you know, it isn't about really the accolades, I just want people to know that when they listen to my music that they can get a sense of, who they are and who they can become.And, their full potential and that they don't have to succumb to, you know, outside criticism or external validation or all of that. Like you said, the consumerism stuff, like they could feel worthy within themselves and really hold deep onto that sentiment.Cause that's my core and my why is to allow some people to realize that the society may not accept me, but I accept me for who I am. So yeah, I greatly appreciate that. Yeah. And we've talked about a lot of great things and before we close off here, I definitely want to get to your book from victim to Victor.You know, you mentioned writing songs and all that, but that's not where your skills and writing books is also involved in that. And you actually have yours, which I just named. So tell us about that. Yes, my book is called From Victim to Victor, Transforming Trauma into Triumph. This poetry book is about my mental health journey throughout the past several years.Especially during the pandemic where my mental health was extremely challenged. And also, I also You know, I also talk about a near suicide attempt that I had during the pandemic in the book as well. So this is a book about this, like, my self, also self discovery journey in regards to my self worth and in regards to my healing from mentally getting mentally abused.Also while in the pandemic by a mentor, a music mentor of mine that I had a falling out with. So, this book is powerful because it's not only pieces of my story and my soul. It's, you know, there's also resources in the back, back of the book of hotline numbers that, that you can, that you can call.If you need help, 98, all, you know, I know if 98 is on it, but all these other numbers in the book to remind you like you can get the support that you deserve. And, you know, I wanted to add that as a little extra to so people, 'cause I know sometimes people don't really know who to reach out to.They think that they don't have sources, right. Available. So I wanted to make sure that they know that as well. I also have a bookmark that says I am victorious because my past does not define me. And that was, that was powerful for me to dislike, add that as like something that people can just see and remind people like, Oh, wow.Like I'm not a victim, you know, I can, I am victorious and you know, my past doesn't define me. So, you know, like I, I just want people to To read the book, you know, because I want people to. really dive deep into their own healing journeys of the traumas that they've been through and that hey you know it it's not all gonna be good but at the same time it's like it's it's a it takes time it takes time to heal it takes time to process mental trauma it's not overnight But, you know, if you take those, those tiny steps, day by day, journal, you know, meditate, go to the gym, like, do something where, you know, your mind doesn't have to worry about all the extra, you know, stress in life, life is already stressful enough, and, you know, I've been through a lot of stress, and, By me taking the time to do those little things, you know, they add up and my mental health has been better because I decided to, to, to go back into therapy.I decided to write a song. I decided to, you know, all these coping strategies that I learned over time. And this I feel my mind positive stuff. And I just want to remind you if you're listening that, you know, your worth is in your own hands, you don't have to, you know, have someone dictate yourself work because, again, you're, you are the CEO of your life.So you determine. Whether or not your life was a, you know, a hit or a flop. And all that to say is, you know, you could, you could rewrite a whole different story. You don't have to live that old story no more, because that old story does not serve you in today's world. Yeah. Your life is your life and your music is your music and Ladies and gentlemen, you'll definitely have to follow Rich Vision in case he and I collaborate on a rap together in the future.We will see about that. I got to get my vocals caught up to his. But yeah, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to have all his music in the description below. I definitely encourage y'all to check it out. I mean, I, like I said, I was listening to all of it before we got on the call today and it's, I love it, I just, I really love that kind of music, and if you've never gone into the conscious rapping industry, or really gone into that type of music before, I would highly recommend it.One of the things we love the most about music is relatability, is about, you know, the realism. You know, we, I mean, it depends who you are. The reason that people really like, The other side of rapping is because, you know, they're like, wow, imagine I was just going around shooting people and popping pills and dancing at the club, right?Some people get caught up in, in, in fantasy. But for me, I really liked the grounded music and knowing like rich, you're a real dude. I know you're a real dude. Cause I'm here talking to you about this stuff. Your music says it because it's real and stuff that I can relate to and appreciate, and that I can reflect upon my life as well and bring about change.So I really appreciate what you do. So ladies and gentlemen be sure in the description below we're gonna have all that stuff to check it out And yeah, rich just thank you so much for coming on the show. I appreciate it Yeah, I appreciate you too, man. This is a powerful interview. So I greatly appreciate you
