Oakland, California has birthed many diverse contributions to Hip-hop over the past four decades though it’s more notable conquests have come from acts not as indicative of the broader scope of lifestyles indigenous to “The Town”. While many found their niche in “MOB music” and others may have found success during the “Hyphy movement”. There have been few consistent rap artists to come from Oakland and flourish. West Oakland, in particular, has been incubating one such artist with the potential of defying the stigmas that have been associated with Oakland’s rap for many years now.

Vell Taylor has been honing his craft his whole life, yet over the last 5 years Vell has been working extensively with many of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most relevant artists. Still relatively young in age as well as in the game, Vell has accomplished feats that artists ten years his senior are still attempting to reach. With BDS radio spins on 106.1 KMEL (the largest urban music station in the region), to performing shows from Seattle to New Orleans and back to the Bay, Vell is seasoned for the main stage.

His music is a reflection of not only everyday life witnessed and lived in West Oakland, California, but it doubles as hope for those that have endured similar hardships that he faced himself growing up. With close family members and friends falling prey to the harsh realities of the “hood” (drugs, violence, & teen pregnancy etc.), Vell Taylor seeks to be the example of perseverance and triumph. His music is a direct indicator of all of this.

“I want to deliver dope music and inspire my people to want more”

Without being preachy, rather relatable, Vell delivers clear cut messages on each and every track in a manner distinct to only him. This is more than evident on his debut solo effort Project Sore Thumb (2011), his first release on Erk Tha Jerk’s Red Planet Music Group. With no intentions of falling short of the acclaim and recognition he earned from Project Sore Thumb, Vell  is readying his second full length release titled S.O.D.A. (Short On Dreams Accomplished) due out... “ I’m Just Writing Wrongs."