Vincent Powell









Inkstarzz: What’s up! What’s going on with you right
now?

VP: Just getting done performing with the Motown Review show at Miller Outdoor Theatre. It's like a
big production and I'm just getting done with that. That was a success and I'm concentrating on my
praise and worship team at this church in Stafford (Texas), Redeemed Christians, so, just doing
my thang!  

Inkstarzz: Alright, cool. How long have you been singing and writing?

VP: I've been singing since I was about 7 years old and writing since I was about 12.

Inkstarzz: What inspired you to start singing and writing?

VP: Really, my mother always sang and my brother was a singer, so it’s really just growing up in a
musical family that inspired me to start singing and actually loving music. That's what really
inspired me, and God, of course!

Inkstarzz: Did you start with gospel?
VP: Yes. I was a church boy, so yeah I started off in church.   I started off with Gospel, yeah.  

Inkstarzz: Ok, I hear ya. Is there a difficult aspect of being a gospel artist?

VP: I wouldn't necessarily say it is a difficult aspect, but it is difficult because you have to be
mindful of everything that you do. You have to know what you're representing, and that's God. So,
of course you have to be mindful of your surroundings. You have to also know what you are
singing about because it can't be effective if you're not knowing the Bible and establishing a real
personal relationship with God. In a way it is because it has more substance than singing anything
else, like R& B, Country, or anything else because you're actually talking about God. So I think
that's superior. It's a little bit more important and a little bit more difficult because it's substantial.
Anything with substance, you have to work harder at.

Inkstarzz: Have you ever thought of converting over to R & B?

VP: Uh...Yeah, I aint gon even lie! Yeah I have. Considering the saying that
R & B makes more money. I have done thing things such as singing backup for LeToya Luckett in
the studio and singing backup for another artist in New York, Krishnar, who's under MTV and Jive.
Ya know, I did some backup things, but I haven't actually gotten to the point when I was actually
singing, leading R & B, but I think music is music, so I would never let that hinder me because I am
a Christian because what I sing doesn't explain or identify my Christianity, ya know what I'm sayin?

Inkstarzz: Good Answer! When writing a song, how do you distinguish what you will keep and what
will be given to others?

VP: Well the majority of the time, I write for myself because it’s what I experience and what I see
and what I go through. So, if I write for another artist, I would need to actually get to know them and
kinda get what they've been through. I guess I write from a personal point-of -view instead of
writing to just be writing, So its a little bit more inbound that outbound. Most of the time I write for
myself, but if I wrote for someone else, I would have to use them as a whole. Most of the time I write
for myself, so I wouldn't give it to somebody else (laughs)!

Inkstarzz: Has there been a song you wrote for someone else that you wish you could’ve kept to
yourself?

VP: That's funny. Well actually, it was a song that I wrote for up-and-coming Christian artist,
Donald Brown. Actually, I helped him write and he kinda took the song and kind of made it his own.
But I was able to use that song. I performed it and I was like, "Man I wish I would have never gave it
to him!" (Laughs) But you know everything happens for a reason and I think God really brought
that song out, not really for a specific artist, but to help other individuals and people that minister
on a regular basis to be able to get through their problems. I guess when you take what God gives
you and not make it your own, it's really for the world and for you to testify of him, of his  glory, ya
know what I'm sayin? So I have!   

Inkstarzz: Have you ever thought of getting into production?

VP: Production? Yes. Acting? I already do opera. I was part of the Opera Workshop program at
Texas Southern University. So, yes I've been acting and in some plays. I'm also reading for some
plays right now. I did a commercial for Star Furniture and for L'Auberge (du Lac) Casino resort.
So, I’ve kinda stepped into the water with the acting arena. With production, I haven't actually
gotten to that side, but hopefully I will, because as an artist, it would be easier to do things for
myself instead of having to run to all of these bootlegged people that are in production and tryna
get them to understand where you are coming from, it's just a harder process. If I could do it all
myself, it would be much easier. So hopefully, I will be able to get there.

Inkstarzz: If there was one word to describe you as an artist, what would it be?

VP: I would say determined. Determined because ya know, you go through a lot of things being an
independent artist, so, no matter what, there always has to be a solution to everything. So I would
say I'm determined and my trust in God always brings me through.

Inkstarzz: Have you ever thought of doing a compilation CD sponsored by Inkstarzz.com

VP: Oh Fa sho, Fa Sho. You know them my peeps (laughs)!

Inkstarzz: (Laughs) cool! Imma hold you to that one!

VP: Ok that's what's up, just let me know the time, place and I'm there!

Inkstarzz: Of all the events that you are or have been a part of, what’s the most memorable one?

VP: I think it was singing backup for Micah Stampley the artist that was under T.D. Jakes and also
EMI. I sung backup for him for a season and I think it was pretty good because he changed my
whole mentality as an artist and it was just a good experience. We went to the Bahamas twice and I
traveled with him and I was actually able to see what God can do for you as an artist. I was just an
awesome experience, so I think that would be the most memorable experience as a whole.  

Inkstarzz:  So you learned a lot from him?

VP: Oh yeah, I learned a lot as far as ministering and prayer and actually living as a Christian, you
know , it's very serious and it's not something to joke with. It's a lifestyle, not just something that
you do on Sunday morning. I can actually say that I learned a lot from him. I really consider him as
my brother in Christ, my bigger brother in Christ.

Inkstarzz: Ok, you just released your second CD, was there a different approach you took on this
one than you did on the first one?

VP: Well my first CD was like a demo, it only had like 4 songs on it. This is my first Album. From
that first demo, it actually was a different approach as far as making sure that I had all of the lyrics
and words and everything instead of trying to write stuff at the last minute. Ya know, it was a
different approach as far as doing studio work and making sure I had all my producers lined up
and trying figure out where I was going with the CD. It was a different approach as far as
establishing an idea for the CD as a whole and not just having like a whole bunch of different
songs on the project. Also, making sure that the songs have substance and everything tied in
together so it would be more like an album than a compilation CD.

Inkstarzz: Name one artist you would love to work with.

VP: Mariah Carey. The reason I say that is because, when I was younger, I was in love with Mariah
Carey. I really thought her lyrics, her singing, her appearance and everything was on point and I
really would do that as a life goal or dream, or whatever (laughs)!

Inkstarzz: Alright, I feel ya (Laughs)! Are there any upcoming projects or events that you want
everyone to know about?

VP: Well I have a Christmas project coming out this October or November and it will be featuring
up-and-coming artists in Houston and I'm still working on who's gonna be on that project so yeah
look out for that. Check me out on my myspace, myspace.com/vincentpowell and get the CD on
itunes and cdbaby.com. That's a major event!

Inkstarzz: Thank you for doing the interview, man

VP: No problem, thank you for thinking of me and giving me this opportunity.

Interview by: Sonnie V.
As a singer/songwriter, this up-and-coming gospel artist has to be one
of the most talented people out of the great state of Texas. With his
pen skills, vocals and determination, he won't let anything stop him
from reaching his goal.
"Jesus Freak"
"Where the starzz come to shyne!"