Vigilante (USA)

Raised in Ft. Worth, Texas, songwriter, rapper, singer, and author, Vigilante is what many have considered a modern day renaissance man. Vigilante's latest rap album, R: A Rebel's Rebellion, proves this rebel undoubtedly is one with a cause. The combination of Vigilante’s vocal rawness and lyrical artistry set him apart from other artists today. He compels his listeners with messages concerning personal and individual empowerment and the power and importance of each individual's Purpose. The album displays Vigilante's talents as a lyricist, an originality of sound and expression, and in-depth philosophical thought. Vigilante has recently completed the first of a multi-volume poetry book series entitled, Struggles of Internal Conquest, which is expected to be on shelves in the near future. Currently Vigilante is hard at work on his second major literary work, Why Are You Here? Real-izing, Pursuing, & Fulfilling Your Purpose, a philosophical non-fiction work encapsulating Vigilante's philosophical view points. Vigilante's versatile talents as a song writer, author, and of course as a recording artist, make for no surprise that major record labels have been focusing their attention upon him. Vigilante is currently working with Vision Music USA.

Performing at various clubs in the Dallas, Ft. Worth area, Vigilante has captivated crowds with his riveting performances. Vigilante has been invited to play such venues as the Movement Festival in Tampa, Florida alongside such artists as Method Man, Cypress Hill, and Urban Legend. Unlike many rap artists, Vigilante has been influenced not so much by other rap artists, but rather diverse and versatile song writers such as: Adam Duritz (front man for Counting Crows), Billy Joel, Bob Seger, and Robert Earl Keen, . Vigilante's literary and philosophical influences have been: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Carlyle, Friedrich Nietzsche, Sǿren Kierkegaard, Henry Thoreau, Michel Montaigne, Epictetus, and 16th century theologian Martin Luther. Vigilante is a recent graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington earning his BA in History and a double minor in English Advanced Writing and Philosophy.

Do I play live? Yes. Currently I play venues in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area but I will soon be playing venues all over Texas (Houston, Austin, San Antonio)as well as branching out on a nation wide tour. I love performing live...then again what artist doesn't? The more often I can play the better. Any time I perform is something I consider a special moment because any kick ass time is a good time.

My influences? This is an interesting question, especially when you hear my answer. As a hip hop artist/rap artist, you would think that most of my influences would be other notable hip hop and rap artists right? Well actually that's not the case with me. My major influences, like I said in my bio, are artists that are true song writers because true song writers have something truly to say. My major influence has to be Adamn Duritz from Counting Crows. To me he's an incredible writer because he is such an open and honest writer. Making yourself vulnerable like he does is not always an easy thing to do. But I believe those who do, and do so in an honest and open way, are the best songwriters with the most loyal fans. Other than Adamn Duritz, my major influences are Billy Joel, Bob Seger, and lately several Texas country artists like Charlie Robison, Jack Ingram, and Robert Earl Keen. I love all these artists for the reason I talked about above. Today, especially in hip hop and rap, the artists are truly poor lyricists because they are truly bad thinkers with either truly empty thoughts or with no thoughts at all. Any artist, in whatever genre they may be in, if they are truly good lyricsts I will respect them. I may not necessarily enjoy listening to what they have to say or agree with what it is they are saying, but I will at least respect it if it is the artist's true and genuine thoughts or feelings.