Artist Snapshot: VASSI
NAME: Alex Thompson aka VASSI
SCHOOL: CC ’23
GENRE: Hip Hop/Rap
WHAT THEY DO: Write, produce, sing, rap, and engineer
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What’s a song you wish you could listen to for the first time again?
“Lucid Dreams” – Juice WRLD
What’s your songwriting process like?
Most of the time I sit and write while listening to the beat before I get on the mic. Recently I’ve been learning to freestyle verses without writing anything down by recording one line at a time.
When did you start writing music and performing?
I started making beats and rapping in summer 2017, right before my junior year of high school.
What are some of your first memories of making music? How did you decide this was something you wanted to pursue?
When I was still learning I used to sit outside alone with my portable midi keyboard making beats, and people I knew would see me and always wanna hear what i’m working on. I knew that this was something I wanted to pursue when I noticed that people at my high school were taking me seriously, and listened to my music because they genuinely enjoyed it.
Favorite place you’ve performed at so far? Dream venue in the future?
My favorite place I’ve performed at so far was in the basement of Potluck House. The energy in that small basement was crazy, can’t wait to have more experiences like that once this pandemic is over. Dream venue: Madison Square Garden.
Is there anyone you’d like to collaborate with? Who and why?
If I could collaborate with anyone, it’d be Drake. A Drake feature would change my life. I mean, what else is there to say? It’s Drake.
What are your top 3 favorite albums of all time?
The Life of Pi’erre 4 – Pi’erre Bourne, ? – XXXTENTACION, The Incredible True Story – Logic
How has the pandemic affected your music and process?
The pandemic hasn’t really affected the process much. Usually when i’m making music I have to lock myself inside anyways, so if anything, it gives me more of an excuse to get to recording.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
My favorite part about being an artist is getting the chance to perform. The few times that I’ve performed in the past have been some of the best experiences of my life.
What aspects of your identity inform your music and vice-versa?
I’m a very emotional person, so I like to use that to my advantage and channel it through my music. I like to keep my music identity separate from everything else. Like sure, people will call me VASSI from time to time, but when you actually talk to me, I’m just Alex.