About | VIA

A vulnerably inspired artist

What does that mean even? Well, the letters VIA make up the end of my government name (Olivia), but they stand for something so much greater.

Art is scary. Art is putting your soul, your insecurities, your innermost thoughts - all to be set under a spotlight to be judged. But that's what I find beautiful and want to celebrate through creating as much as I can and as vulnerably as I can.

In a perfection-obsessed world that is increasingly artificial, celebrating you for you is what we desperately need. I still have a long way to go, but challenging myself to be vulnerable and rapping about topics I don't typically hear other artists shedding light upon has been crucial in the journey of finding myself. Expressing each and every piece of yourself is what I want to help myself and others feel okay with.

I am proud to be a female rapper and songwriter. I rap about anxiety, the education system, the environment, society, etc., in an attempt to sneak a message behind some 808's. Getting the listener to vibe along with me first leads them to eventually realize the deeper message. The vehicle in which the message is delivered makes all the difference, which is why I do what I do and make the music I make.

How I got started

I never ever planned on rapping.

I always enjoyed rap with my friends and learned the words to all our favorite Lil Wayne and Kendrick songs growing up. When I moved to LA for film school (yes, I was a filmmaker in my past life), I began freestyling with my friends at parties, and it turned out I had a natural skill for it.

I eventually started writing songs in secret and didn't tell anyone at first. Then, one day in an uber, I mentioned that I liked rapping, and the driver told me to spit something. I was shocked.

I rapped something I had written, and he was impressed and then continued to reveal that he was a show promoter and wanted to book me a show. I didn't even have any full songs, beats, or had even recorded in a studio! How could I perform?

I texted my producer friends (thanks film school) and got some beats, and two weeks later, I hit my first stage. After that, I was getting booked regularly for the next year, all still unsure of what I was doing or where I am going.

Now, amidst the chaos of the world, doing IG live after IG live, and working on my first EP, and coming next- my first album. I am finally coming to understand who this Vulnerably Inspired Artist is and what she's all about.

It's about taking the risk. It's about falling and assembling the parachute on the way down. I still don't know where I am going, but all I know is that I like this, and it took tapping into my vulnerability to get there.

So thank you for reading, and hello,

My name is VIA.

There are many different pieces and colors that make up all that I am and all that you are.

Embrace that vulnerably and make art with it.

It's good for you.