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First of all, welcome to the new website everyone! You may have noticed that this first feature was unclickable for the past couple of days and that's because with such a massive revamp we wanted to roll out a different thing each day of this first week so every part of MoveOnUp gets some love. Enough of keeping you waiting, back to MoveOnUp's bread and butter, here is the interview with the sensation that is, Big Boss Vette...
If you've not been living under a rock, aka if you have TikTok at this point, you're guaranteed to have heard Big Boss Vette's (BBV) song "Pretty Girls Walk" at least once. Hitting over 2 billion combined views so far, it is the definition of a "viral sensation". But who is the artist behind all those views, those dances and those moves? Well let me introduce you to Big Boss Vette.
Hailing from St Louis, Big Boss Vette (aka: Diamond Alexxis Smith), first started gaining attention for her lyrical talent all the way back in high school. Her combination of catchy, high energy choruses and crafts(wo)manship with her effortless verses made her destined for greatness from the very start.
Already coming off two hits with "Outside" and "Snatched", BBV was already making waves in the St Louis music scene and on TikTok. However, it would be remiss to say that she had this level of fame before "Pretty Girls Walk" blew up into the stratosphere.
With a song as big as "Pretty Girls Walk", it would be easy for Vette to rest on her laurels and enjoy her success, however that is simply not who Big Boss Vette is all about.
Releasing her latest EP "Resilience" on July 20th, Vette really "gets it" when it comes to knowing what her purpose is, whilst also harnessing the hype around her first big hit. Still remaining humble by constantly interacting with fans like she is their "favourite cousin", it's no wonder why, with an infectious smile, a drive like no other and a wonderfully positive aura about her, that Big Boss Vette is consistently picking up new fans day by day just off her personality alone. Combine that with the excellence & sincerity offered in the "Resilience" EP, it just means that you simply cannot help but become a fan.
From the artwork alone, "Resilience" shows the complexity of Big Boss Vette, with the combination of the foreground of her domineering pose and the background being a deeply personal letter she wrote for herself last year. The letter was written at a turning point in Vette's life, when she was looking down and out but told herself "this cannot be what my life is gonna be". Aiming to empower herself & shred the self doubt that had been clouding up her vision, the letter not only clearly worked but showcases an openness to vulnerability that is easy to lose in the battle for empowerment. To not only be a quote on quote "bad bitch" but also a normal human being is a refreshing outlook for anyone, yet alone someone who could have easily become untouchable with her recent success.
An important part of the Resilience EP is the story behind its creation. Her recovery, not only physically after being shot in a fight in 2016, but also mentally bouncing back from a downturn in success, ptsd and depression - the Resilience documentary really showcases a blunt behind the scenes picture of what Vette's life was and how through her persistence, she has completely changed her life around.
So what does the future now hold for Vette? Well recently featuring on fellow St Louis native Metro Boomin's "Across the Spiderverse" album (yes, that one!), Vette is clearly in high demand at the moment. So when it comes to her dream collabs with the likes of Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, I would argue they are certainly now in reaching distance, especially for a feature - so maybe it's worth placing your bets on that, just saying. 👀
As we enter the golden age of female rap and approach hiphop's 50th anniversary, it has become easier than ever for female rappers to make a name for themselves. In the words of Vette herself:
"they finally let us in the door, and now we own the whole building"
The first "omg I made it" moment for Vette came from the crowd's reaction to her supporting NBA Youngboy in St Louis. But now with her backing from Metro Boomin, performing at Lollapalooza and being featured in Galore, the NY Times and most impressively... MoveOnUp Music!
Okay I may have gotten a bit carried away there, but my point still stands. Big Boss Vette's story is one that showcases how much momentum can completely swing from one way to the other, not only in the digital music industry but also in life in general. One in which we can all take inspiration from and join her on her pretty girl strut to success.
The "Resilience" EP is available to stream on all streaming platforms but you can listen to it below on Spotify.
Also make sure to check out her most recent single, "Get It", featuring on the inaugural edition of the "Mango's favourites" playlist on the setlist, it is probably my personal favourite Big Boss Vette song and the music video speaks for itself...
As always, if you are a band, artist or someone working in music, feel free to contact us at moveonupmuzic@gmail.com or on our Instagram page @moveonupmusic - we're always looking for new music, new people and new things to write about!
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