Back in 1964, when Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston for the heavyweight championship title, he made references to shocking the world. Forty-four years after that historical night, people are still making claims that they will also change the face of entertainment—especially in Hip-Hop. Now it’s easy to compare professional boxing to Hip-Hop, because for the most part, they’re one in the same.

If you’re talking a lot of nonsense, people will actually pay attention to you—and more so if you’re starting trouble with other artists. The ones that make less noise often fall under the radar, and its not because they lack the skills necessary, it’s because they let their talent speak for them without having a huge braggadocio aura surrounding them. And that’s pretty much the position that Long Island MC Little Vic has come to grips with.

The first thing you might notice besides his fiery intensity could be the fact he opts to properly spell the word ‘Little’ as opposed to other rappers who share the same moniker, but choose to brand themselves ‘Lil.’’ But upon further investigation, you’ll find out that his stage name is actually a family name that was passed down to him from his grandfather. And after you dig a little deeper, you’ll also learn he’s behind his own record label, Orena Records (derived from his last name, Orena). His first major project, Each Dawn I Die is filled with the type of content that Hip-Hop has veered away from, but production by D.I.T.C.’s Buckwild, DJ Premier, and guest appearances by artists like Kool G Rap can still give this newcomer a chance at potentially shocking the world soon enough. So keep your eyes opened, and ears glued.

What part of New York are you originally from?

I’m originally from Long Island.

When did you first start rhyming?

I was always around it because my cousin is a DJ, and my uncle used to make beats, so I was always really into it. But I didn’t start getting serious with it until around the mid-90’s. That’s when I actually started writing sh*t down, and back then I was whack—horrible. [Laughs] So I just tried to build up the skill.

So you weren’t naturally nice at first, you were just horrible? [Laughing]

[Laughing] Well I knew I was bad, so I didn’t even try to act like I was nice.

Your album is under Orena Records, which is your own record company right?

Yeah, that’s right…

What made you want to start your own company, instead of just looking for your average deal?

Well the Hip-Hop that I love is the early 90’s stuff, and nowadays it seems like you can’t really do what you want to do, unless you’re doing everything yourself, you know what I’m saying? If I was signed to another label, then most likely I’d have an A&R telling me what to do, and what type of music to be putting out. So that’s why I would rather do it all myself, and plus I have a lot of people that I love and trust around me. So it’s just a much better environment for me to be doing it myself, and having my own situation.

Is it hard switching from MC to CEO?

[Laughs] Um, nah because we’re learning day-by-day, so the more stuff we put out; it just becomes natural. Right now I have a ton of people helping me out, so its not like I have a lot of sh*t on my back. We’re all learning together, so its much better for me like this than it would be if I were working for a label or something like that.

Do you think it’ll be tough for you to standout with so many other rappers trying to gain the same recognition?

Well I mean, it’s going to be hard for anybody, you know what I’m saying? My whole theory is that I’m going to do what I think is hot. I’m not going to do what’s out there, and what other people think is hot. I’m doing it basically just for the love, and hopefully people will get that from out of my music. But it is definitely hard to standout though, I’m just trying not to stick to the mold, you know?

Yeah, I dig that. Kool G Rap is also featured on your album, Each Dawn I Die. How did you guys hook up?

Well actually G Rap is like my favorite MC. So when I was making the album, I was like, “If I can get one artist on my record, it would have to be G Rap.” And I had some people that reached out to him, and it was definitely big for us.

How was it like working with him?

Well it was crazy, because we’re sitting in the studio, and we were actually waiting for him to come. I had already laid my verse, and then he came in and we all felt the legendary presence. We were really all just in awe of him, you know? And he just came in and did his thing, and he was mad chill—a real quiet dude, but cool as hell. It was definitely something I’ll never forget.

You also have production by DJ Premier. Was that also a case of you just reaching out to him as well?

Well its crazy because so far I’ve gotten to work with a lot of talented people that I really looked up to. And [DJ] Premier is one, he basically taught me how to make beats, so working with Preemo was a dream come true. Being in D&D Studios, even though it’s called Headquarters now, and just knowing about all the people that recorded there—it was just crazy. I hope to work with him again really soon. You can ask me what my favorite track is by him, and I couldn’t even tell you.

I would say mine is probably “Dywck.”

Yeah, that’s a classic! But there are certain things I like—like the drums from “Royalty,” the chops from “All For The Cash,” but my favorite one is probably “D’Evils” though. I don’t know—that beat just KILLED ME!

“D’Evils” from Jay-Z’s first album?

Yeah-yeah, from Reasonable Doubt…

Your whole style is based around true lyricism in an era where ‘ring tone rap’ is taking over. Do you ever think about that?

Well I feel like if I were to do something like that, it would be so WHACK! You know what I’m saying? [Laughing] That type of music isn’t my thing, but I know a lot of kids like it. But for me to do something like that would be totally in-genuine, you know? It wouldn’t be something that I would be proud of. So nah, I would never be one of those ‘snap-n-crap’ rappers.

Do you think lyricism has taken a back seat to other gimmicks in Hip-Hop?

Yeah, but there’s still a ton of dudes out there that are really putting in work. I hate to categorize it, but the ‘underground scene’; and I’m trying to put in a better word than that. But it’s kind of like that ‘poetry rap’ where people really focus on the lyricism, and the beats. The beats are not just 808’s over “NOW” mix samples. There are a lot of dudes out that I’m really feeling. But just like you said, it’s definitely taking a back seat, 100 percent.

Do you worry about your project being overlooked? Because you know, Each Dawn I Die doesn’t come with a new dance step.

[Laughing] Right! Yeah to a certain extent, but at the same time I know if it gets to the right ears; that’s all that matters to me. If ten people like it, then that means we’re on the right path. So for me just to have ten loyal fans is a bigger accomplishment than making a ‘club record’ that will fade away in two months. I’m all about trying to make classics.