We had a moment to wrap with TVA Major, an artist we’ve been following for years now. His melodic and witty raps first drawn our attention to a early “King Phill” song “Annie”. Now under the name TVA Major, he is set to release his new mixtape “Home 4 The Winter” March 19th 2021. Be sure to go and follow Major on all Social Media Links: Instagram, Twitter and check us his full interview below.
Where are you from and how was life growing up?
I’m from the Valley Station area of Louisville, Kentucky. Considering I was raised by one parent in one of the lower-income areas of Louisville, I actually had life pretty good growing up. Moms had to struggle to get us up but it helped that I was always staying out of trouble and keeping good grades and all that. I definitely feel I had it different than most african-americans from my city, I was surrounded by white folks and an area that people who arent from there consider “redneck”. So i’ve gotten to experience certain parts of racism and injustice from the inside looking out, as I often found myself in environments where the hate for people of my skin color was too blatant to not see. But overall, to be here, breathing, able to even do this interview, I feel I needed everything I grew up around to get myself to this moment.
How did the rap name come to be?
I used to, as most people in my fanbase and circle know, go by “King Phill”. I got a huge following off making goofy music under the name, songs with titles like “McNuggets” were getting buzz off the muscle.. But I eventually got tired of playing around with music and wanted to take a more serious route that would be more sustainable to last long in the industry. I don’t want to be part of a trend or be a hit-and-run rapper in the game. I want the music I make to resonate with people enough that they really feel like “damn, I gotta hear what dude gonna drop next”. And I feel like I won’t relate to people unless i’m more of myself and less so a character. “Phill” is no part of my name, simply a random name I chose in middle school. So I went with “Major Tha Prophet” and dropped some music under that name until forming my group Tha Vision Academy (TVA), thus becoming TVA Major officially and for good.
How did the group come together?
After I created the name Tha Vision Academy and told my dawgs Sig Fig and Midas I wanted to start something special with that name, it was something that happened organically. I heard a lyric of Midas’ on an old song where he said “they aint tryna see the vision nigga”, and being very high at the time, the word vision just resonated and felt like it meant something super strong. I started thinking about how it seems like our friend group got a vision we aiming for, and the word “Academy”felt right to me for the simple fact that its something different. Tha Vision Records would be vanilla and Tha Vision Entertainment feels cliche. Aint nobody got an Academy. A whole academy of goats.
Where does the inspiration come from for creating music?
I find inspiration in the feeling that music gives me. The urge to create the feeling of hearing great music is what inspires me more than anything. Knowing that I can create my own world and my own art while also showcasing my pen and love for poetry gives me the biggest feeling of euphoria.
What artists inspired you the most and who do you currently listen to?
When it comes to inspiration artists wise, the main artists that have also inspired my creativity were Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole. Without those three, I don’t know if i’d be answering these questions right now, let alone thinking about rap music in general. Currently, however, I have been suuuper into Louisville rap. Jack Harlow, EST Gee, 2KBABY, 2forwoyne, I could go on. Them boys got the whole city turnt up, and there is genuinely something about all of their music that gives it a Louisville feel. Maybe i’m the only one that feels it, given they all make different type of rap. But I truly would listen to these guys whether they were from Louisville or not. The quality of music is outstanding in the city right now.
What kind of support do you get from your home town/state?
I get great support from my hometown and state. Not only kids ive been to school with and my peers, either. I’ve had praise and love from some of the big dawgs in my city, from Bblasian, to even Jack Harlow in 2017 (via email, all be it). A&R’s and label executives with ties to the city have had their eye on me for a while now, and Ive just been waiting to get everything i can out of the city before I even consider focusing on a larger scale fanbase. But damn near everyone in my city that has tapped in with my music in my city knows. It’s only a matter of time before the whole world is watching.
If you wasn’t rapping, what would you be doing right now?
I’m a huge sports nerd. My dawgs know, ive always had a piece of my heart in sports. I run a basketball podcast and some more shit, if it wasnt for rap i’d be 100% invested in sports media.
What really makes you stand out and different from other artists?
I think that with my music, I find a way to make things sound fun and sonically pleasing without having to do it the same way every mainstream rapper does it. My meoldies are super ear-grabbing, but I also am actually talking my shit. It’s a great fusion of melodic rap and conscious rap at times, and I feel my ability to do great in both facets is what makes me stand out from any other artist you know.
If you could collaborate with one single artist who would it be and why?
Pharrell. He isnt my favorite artist, but being the legendary sound-creator he is, I don’t think i’d want to cook with any other soul walking planet earth. We would make magic.
What advice would you give to inspiring rappers?
Live in the moment. Create your own career and soak in every moment of it. Don’t spend all of your music career and/or life focusing on “arriving” anywhere else. Do what you do and love what you do, I promise the people will like it more if they can tell you do it for YOU, not them. And thats for every king and queen trying to start a career with this music shit, be your own judge with your art!! It’ll speak for itself
