ViZion
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ViZion

Miami, Florida, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2007 | SELF

Miami, Florida, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2007
Solo Hip Hop Reggae

Calendar

Music

Press


"ViZion Best Prospect to come out of Barbados since Rihanna"

ViZion is a rapper and a great song writer from the Caribbeans that has a exciting new version of urban music. Growing up he had a real passion for dancehall and reggae music. His favorite artist were Sizzla, Bounty Killer and Bob and Damian Marley. Later in life ViZion went to a boarding school in Canada where he fell in love with artists like Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z and Nas. That’s when he started developing his own style of hip-hop. I like him for his lyrics and he sounds very clean on the auto tune. ViZion is with out a doubt one of the hottest rising stars out of Barbados, one might say one of the most exciting young prospects to come out of Barbados since Rihanna. - SickNewMusicArtist


"ViZion Best Prospect to come out of Barbados since Rihanna"

ViZion is a rapper and a great song writer from the Caribbeans that has a exciting new version of urban music. Growing up he had a real passion for dancehall and reggae music. His favorite artist were Sizzla, Bounty Killer and Bob and Damian Marley. Later in life ViZion went to a boarding school in Canada where he fell in love with artists like Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z and Nas. That’s when he started developing his own style of hip-hop. I like him for his lyrics and he sounds very clean on the auto tune. ViZion is with out a doubt one of the hottest rising stars out of Barbados, one might say one of the most exciting young prospects to come out of Barbados since Rihanna. - SickNewMusicArtist


"Trinidad's Kush Riddim to Be Presented by Barbados' ViZion At Digicel's Barbados Reggae Festival"

...Described as an extremely talented entertainer who’s been getting nods of approval from Caribbean producers and other persons critical to the music industry across the islands and internationally in recent months, ViZion will be one of this year’s featured acts at the world class festival... - West Indian Culture


"Trinidad's Kush Riddim to Be Presented by Barbados' ViZion At Digicel's Barbados Reggae Festival"

...Described as an extremely talented entertainer who’s been getting nods of approval from Caribbean producers and other persons critical to the music industry across the islands and internationally in recent months, ViZion will be one of this year’s featured acts at the world class festival... - West Indian Culture


"ViZion Interview"

Oliver Gale, or ViZion as he is now known, started making music when he was 14 years old. “There used to be a big crew of us back then, like twenty or thirty dudes, and we would just get together on weekends and chill, play games, party, all of that…a couple of us started freestyling to dancehall and rap beats for fun and I just really got into it.”

Inspired from this, ViZion downloaded a music making programme and started recording music on his home computer, recording vocals with headphones plugged into the mic slot. He was an innovator.

ViZion’s influences

When ViZion went to boarding school in Canada he started listening to rap and hip hop such as Tupac, Eminem and Jay-Z. He wrote lyrics every day after class, then took the lyrics and rapped them. ViZion’s biggest inspirations are Bob Marley then Tupac.

“I even used to sound like Tupac when I rapped. I know everything about him, basically, I watched all the documentaries and listened to any and everything Tupac that I could get my hands on”

However, ViZion’s biggest muse is Bob Marley.

“Bob Marley is my biggest inspiration as he was like a messenger. His music united so many people and transcends time.”

ViZion and Hit Island Records

At 18 year’s old, after graduating from boarding school, ViZion realised music was his vocation. He took a year out and totally immersed himself into writing lyrics, songs and making music. He performed in Barbados at private parties and was eventually discovered by ‘CRS Music’, one of the most popular multi-genre record labels in the Caribbean. They introduced him to the record label ‘Hit Island Records’, where he partnered up with producer KB Sharp.

It was with ‘Hit Island Records’ that ViZion made ‘Girl I need you’, his first single and smash hit. ‘Girl I need you’ was an immediate success and was played on TV stations worldwide, especially in Europe and Africa. This was one of ViZion’s biggest turning points as the song was popular in many of the region’s islands.

The song, his first recording in a professional studio, was inspired by ViZion’s first love.

“Most of my music is based on true stories.”

Following the success of the single, ViZion played at sell out concerts in Barbados to crowds of 15,000 people or more such as ‘Reggae on the Hill’

This was one of my favourite performances to date. I had a great reception – the crowd was wild.

ViZion in England

After this ViZion went to University of Bristol in England.

“I chose my university based on the music scene. Also Bristol has a huge Caribbean community in St Pauls.”

ViZion’s mother is English, so he was born in England and used to go there every summer to visit his mum’s parents growing up.

At Bristol, ViZion studied by day and performed by night.

“I rapped on the underground scene with a whole bunch of MCs. I was doing Reggae and Dub with a bit of Hip Hop.”

He performed with artists such as Tinchy Stryder, Laid Blak and Buggsy and his music was played on the radio in England, as well as in the Caribbean.

In his third year of university ViZion concentrated on his studies, whilst having to deal with his parents separating, his Grandfather passing away and Grandma having a stroke.

I had this picture perfect world ‘till then, so reality hit me hard and my world came crashing down.

ViZion bounces back

After university, however, ViZion bounced back and went into music making full time. In 2011 he released ‘Hustle Hard’, which received heavy airplay. He also performed at ‘Jammin’ for tomorrow’, where he was spotted by Mario Williams, who became his manager.

“Mario Williams thought I would be a good fit with his daughter who is a country artist so he invited me to Nashville to record at Sound Kitchen. This was another turning point for me and exciting as I got to go to a really slick studio and be recorded by a Grammy award producer.”

‘The Beach House’ hits No. 1

After this success, in 2012, ViZion’s song ‘The Beach House’ was selected by ‘Tempo Networks, LLC, a pan-television channel broadcasting the music and culture of the Caribbean, to be on their ‘Cross Caribbean Countdown’, which is becoming the definitive Caribbean music countdown. ‘The Beach House’ reached number 1 in just one week, and stayed there for two months.

In addition to these achievements ViZion has been working hard on his first ever album ‘Dream or Die’ which he released on 28th May 2012 and which is available on iTunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dream-or-die/id530638522.

‘Dream or Die’ starts with reggae, transitions into hip hop and then as the album progresses there is a hint of electronic music in it, which is something ViZion is interested in moving into.

Dream or Die, my new album, is pretty special to me. It’s a BIG album which pays tribute to a lot of my musical heritage and background

The album includes the hit singles ‘Girl I need you’ and ‘The Beach House’.

ViZion’s future

ViZion’ - BarbadosPulse.com


"ViZion Interview"

Oliver Gale, or ViZion as he is now known, started making music when he was 14 years old. “There used to be a big crew of us back then, like twenty or thirty dudes, and we would just get together on weekends and chill, play games, party, all of that…a couple of us started freestyling to dancehall and rap beats for fun and I just really got into it.”

Inspired from this, ViZion downloaded a music making programme and started recording music on his home computer, recording vocals with headphones plugged into the mic slot. He was an innovator.

ViZion’s influences

When ViZion went to boarding school in Canada he started listening to rap and hip hop such as Tupac, Eminem and Jay-Z. He wrote lyrics every day after class, then took the lyrics and rapped them. ViZion’s biggest inspirations are Bob Marley then Tupac.

“I even used to sound like Tupac when I rapped. I know everything about him, basically, I watched all the documentaries and listened to any and everything Tupac that I could get my hands on”

However, ViZion’s biggest muse is Bob Marley.

“Bob Marley is my biggest inspiration as he was like a messenger. His music united so many people and transcends time.”

ViZion and Hit Island Records

At 18 year’s old, after graduating from boarding school, ViZion realised music was his vocation. He took a year out and totally immersed himself into writing lyrics, songs and making music. He performed in Barbados at private parties and was eventually discovered by ‘CRS Music’, one of the most popular multi-genre record labels in the Caribbean. They introduced him to the record label ‘Hit Island Records’, where he partnered up with producer KB Sharp.

It was with ‘Hit Island Records’ that ViZion made ‘Girl I need you’, his first single and smash hit. ‘Girl I need you’ was an immediate success and was played on TV stations worldwide, especially in Europe and Africa. This was one of ViZion’s biggest turning points as the song was popular in many of the region’s islands.

The song, his first recording in a professional studio, was inspired by ViZion’s first love.

“Most of my music is based on true stories.”

Following the success of the single, ViZion played at sell out concerts in Barbados to crowds of 15,000 people or more such as ‘Reggae on the Hill’

This was one of my favourite performances to date. I had a great reception – the crowd was wild.

ViZion in England

After this ViZion went to University of Bristol in England.

“I chose my university based on the music scene. Also Bristol has a huge Caribbean community in St Pauls.”

ViZion’s mother is English, so he was born in England and used to go there every summer to visit his mum’s parents growing up.

At Bristol, ViZion studied by day and performed by night.

“I rapped on the underground scene with a whole bunch of MCs. I was doing Reggae and Dub with a bit of Hip Hop.”

He performed with artists such as Tinchy Stryder, Laid Blak and Buggsy and his music was played on the radio in England, as well as in the Caribbean.

In his third year of university ViZion concentrated on his studies, whilst having to deal with his parents separating, his Grandfather passing away and Grandma having a stroke.

I had this picture perfect world ‘till then, so reality hit me hard and my world came crashing down.

ViZion bounces back

After university, however, ViZion bounced back and went into music making full time. In 2011 he released ‘Hustle Hard’, which received heavy airplay. He also performed at ‘Jammin’ for tomorrow’, where he was spotted by Mario Williams, who became his manager.

“Mario Williams thought I would be a good fit with his daughter who is a country artist so he invited me to Nashville to record at Sound Kitchen. This was another turning point for me and exciting as I got to go to a really slick studio and be recorded by a Grammy award producer.”

‘The Beach House’ hits No. 1

After this success, in 2012, ViZion’s song ‘The Beach House’ was selected by ‘Tempo Networks, LLC, a pan-television channel broadcasting the music and culture of the Caribbean, to be on their ‘Cross Caribbean Countdown’, which is becoming the definitive Caribbean music countdown. ‘The Beach House’ reached number 1 in just one week, and stayed there for two months.

In addition to these achievements ViZion has been working hard on his first ever album ‘Dream or Die’ which he released on 28th May 2012 and which is available on iTunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dream-or-die/id530638522.

‘Dream or Die’ starts with reggae, transitions into hip hop and then as the album progresses there is a hint of electronic music in it, which is something ViZion is interested in moving into.

Dream or Die, my new album, is pretty special to me. It’s a BIG album which pays tribute to a lot of my musical heritage and background

The album includes the hit singles ‘Girl I need you’ and ‘The Beach House’.

ViZion’s future

ViZion’ - BarbadosPulse.com


"Bajan in the Kush Mix"

ViZion has the correct combination of factors to make him an internationally saleable product. In addition, he is already well known in Barbados as he has been on the scene since 2006.” - Nation News


"Bajan in the Kush Mix"

ViZion has the correct combination of factors to make him an internationally saleable product. In addition, he is already well known in Barbados as he has been on the scene since 2006.” - Nation News


Discography

Single: Girl I Need You (Radio, Streaming, TV) 2007
Single: What They Say (Radio, Streaming) 2008
Single: The Beach House (Radio, Streaming, TV) 2011
Single: Hustle Hard (Single, Radio, Streaming) 2011
Single: Gone (Single, Radio, Streaming, TV) 2012
Single: This Plane ft. MaRVaY (Single, Radio, Streaming) 2012
Single: All My Dreams ft. MaRVaY (Single, Radio, Streaming) 2012

Album: Dream or Die 2011
1. Take Off
2. The Beach House
3. Girl I Need You
4. Higrade
5. Never Let Them
6. Hustle Hard
7. 16 Missed Calls
8. Gone
9. Over This Line
10. Let's Get Love Tonight
11. High
12. The Good Life
13. This Plane
14. Dream or Die
15. Better Off

Mixtape: #SolAR 2012
1. Island Hideaway feat. GQ
2. The Breakdown
3. Ziploc, Good Grade
4. Clique feat. Teff & GQ
5. Living Life
6. Crystal Blue feat. Malissa Alanna
7. Deja Vu
8. Blessed Up
9. She Go feat. Teff
10. World Is Ours feat. J.Life
11. All My Dreams feat. MaRVaY

Photos

Bio

ViZion is one of the hottest rising stars out of Barbados and the Caribbean. From his catalogue of previous singles, current mix-tape that's getting buzz in the streets to his Hip Hop/Reggae Barbadian style, ViZion is a fresh unique voice and also adds a new spin on the quality of talent coming out of Barbados for 2013. ~ Jeanille Bonterre, Tempo TV Networks

One of the most exciting young prospects to come out of Barbados since Rihanna.
~ Mikey Hulsmeier, Producer/CEO, De Red Boyz

An award winning Hip Hop artist from Barbados, ViZion has a distinctive singing and rap style. With a captive and growing fan base, he is one of the Caribbean's most exciting upcoming urban artists.

Growing up in the parish of Christ Church on the south coast of the island, Oliver Gale a.k.a. ViZion was surrounded by the sounds of Caribbean music as a child. Inspired by dancehall and reggae superstars such as Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and Damian Marley the young artist, at the age of 14, began writing and recording original dancehall songs at home with friends. A few years later, at the age of 17, he moved to Canada to attend boarding school and it was here that he developed his passion for hip hop. He soon began performing at school talent shows. 

Notable influences on his developing style were Tupac, Notorious B.I.G, Jay-Z and Nas.

In 2007 ViZion released his first studio single and regional radio hit Girl I Need You and began performing at major festivals in Barbados, including Reggae on the Hill, Reggae on the Beach. These shows had audiences of up to 15,000 people and were headlined by some of the biggest stars in reggae and dancehall. On the back of these shows and music ViZion was nominated for Best Reggae Artist and Best New Artist at the Barbados Music Awards. 

Soon after high school ViZion moved to England. As a university student he devoted himself to his music career and performed across the country, opening shows for established UK hip-hop artists, notably international superstar Tinchy Stryder, receiving regular airplay and increasing attention.  

Once back in his homeland of Barbados ViZion founded the street brand and Indie label Authentic Revolution Inc. and began work on his first studio album Dream or Die. His 1st radio single Hustle Hard, received massive airplay in Barbados and throughout the Caribbean. As the year progressed, ViZion released two more singles and music videos. By the end of 2011, he was receiving steady rotation on every mainstream radio station in Barbados and across others in the Caribbean, UK and USA.

This grassroots movement caught the attention of producers in the USA and ViZion was flown to Atlanta, Georgia where he performed at a number of clubs and events, in the process winning an award for his energetic performance at ABEX (Atlanta Business Entertainment Exchange). That year also saw the music video for The Beach House, the 3rd single off his debut album Dream or Die, reach #1 on Tempo TV Top 10 Cross Caribbean Countdown, staying there until it was retired. 

In late 2012 ViZion moved to New York City to release his first mixtape #SolAR and in so doing gain exposure in the US market. After performing at Webster Hall and a number of smaller venues in Soho, ViZion caught the attention of persons in the entertainment industry. With the help of these new team members, ViZion was granted a US work visa and started writing, recording and filming music videos in Manhattan.

His achievements were once again acknowledged in Barbados when he was nominated for a second time at the prestigious Barbados Music Awards (BMAs). This time the nomination was for his urban music and in recognition of his growing international appeal. ViZion went on to win the 2012 award for Hip Hop Artist of the Year. He was again nominated for the same award in 2013. 

Currently residing in the USA ViZion is focusing his efforts on his first international EP album. 

Band Members