I’m sure as a child we were all told to make sure we take our vitamins. I was certainly one to pop a Flintstone joint on a daily basis. The nutrients provided are essential to the soul and growth, leading one to become a better functioning human. Mississippi’s next starlet Charity Hicks, a.k.a. Vitamin Cea, looks to provide the same essentials in music form as she begins her trek as an emcee.
After learning with and from her acquaintances in the Gulf Coast’s “Remedy” collective, Cea is looking to take the next step with her debut project “JoyFull Noise”. Granted the chance for an advance listen I was floored by her knack for smooth flows and a unique form of lyricism based upon spirituality, advocacy for women and social change. Not only could you tell she loved creating the music here, but you could learn something from it too. The skill goes far beyond the young stage she is in as she prepares to release her sounds to the masses.
Perhaps even more impressive than the music is Vitamin Cea’s perserverant nature. Not only is she a musician, but she also manages to work and be a full time student at Thee Jackson State University. Impressively she continues to excel at it all.
Before the rollout of Cea’s work begins at the end of 2016, 1DF sought to learn more about the woman behind the music. What I came to find out is that the intelligence placed in her music is placed into all she does. Though there is a long way to go for Vitamin Cea, you can sense the level of focus she has when it pertains to her goals. Without further delay feel free to read our Q&A session below.
To start for anyone who doesn’t know who is Vitamin Cea?
Vitamin Cea is a writer gone rogue. That’s the cool, “exciting” way to say who I am but really I’m really just anormal college kid who writes rhymes. I’m just trying to make it to the end of the semester honestly.
How and when did you start creating music?
I started creating music initially in elementary. I’d write little teeny bopper songs for my (non-existent) Disney Channel show that I wanted. It just evolved from there. Thank goodness for growth.
Your style is very poetic in its construction. Did you write poetry before music or was it just natural?
I started writing poetry in late elementary/early middle school. Sometimes I still do but not much. I was writing poetry and music around the same time honestly. I also remember poetry being easier to write than music. Writing poetry came easier to me than writing music initially.
You’re a part of Remedy. I know you all move together musically so I’m inclined to know more. What could you tell us about the group?
Remedy is my family. We’re just a collective of music-obsessed church kids who want to break the mold. We really are a family. I will say that we love to induce thinking, all of us. We all go about it in very different ways because we’re all individuals but that’s a common goal of ours. We’re pretty decent as individuals but we’re unstoppable as a team.
Do you find it easier to work on records with group or doing it solo?
That’s tough. It really just depends on what space I’m in. I never really feel like I’m completely solo because of always having Remedy with me. Whether I’m working by myself or collabing with someone, I always can find some sort of guidance or feedback from them so that nothing really becomes too difficult.
Your debut project JoyFull Noise is on the way soon. How does it feel to know that after all this time working on your craft you are ready to put yourself out there?
It’s one of the most terrifying yet amazing feelings ever. And it isn’t even out yet. There’s been so many different emotions I’ve gone through. I’m anxious and excited. I’m excited because this is something that I’ve always wanted to do. Something I have had literal dreams of as early as I can remember. I’m anxious because this project is my baby and I’m not sure what to expect. I’m just trusting God and the process.
Do you have any reservations as to how people will receive it?
Soooo many. I know that there will be some songs that a certain audience will probably jam to harder than others. There’s so many different influences and a wide range of subject matters. I’m nervous but I’ve worked too hard and gone through too much to modify and air on the side of “safe”. If that makes any sense at all.
How would you describe the music you’re getting ready to release?
It’s soulful, playful, sometimes carefree. I’d like to say it’s “different” but I don’t really know how to explain it. It’s very encouraging as a whole which is why I chose the name “JoyFull Noise”. As far as the music itself goes.. my personal goal was to create something almost other worldly. I’m still making some changes and adding different things to create that sort of ethereal experience but we’re getting there.
You were correct in saying JoyFull Noise carries a few different tones throughout the songs. That being said are there one or two that you think will stand out in particular?
I feel like Crazy Dream would probably stand out the most. It deals with the personification of Joy and Happiness and me actually floating to a different world to meet them. It’s probably the most “vibey” yet alternative song on the tape. It’s not like a typical song I’d write, so I think it may stand out the most just because it’s just so.. different.
I was able to get an advance listen and immediately I noticed your lyricism to stand out. Who are some lyricist who inspired you?
This may sound super cliche but Jasiel Ace is one of the biggest influences on why I’m as lyrical as I am. I’ve told him that for years. He was the reason I even thought I was decent back in middle school. As far as artists in the industry right now, I would say Chance the Rapper, who is my absolute favorite. Mick Jenkins and Noname, also out of Chicago, both have some of the most intricate, elaborate flows ever and I am always inspired by them.
Speaking on Noname, I have to mention that the rap culture definitely has it share of women, but it’s safe to say that it is a male dominated culture. How do you feel about the state of Hip-Hop when it pertains to women?
Hip-Hop culture is already known to be one of the toughest genres to make your mark in, male or female. For us as women, we just have to continue to do what we do in normal day to day life and speak unapologetically and be bold and strong where there are multiple voices trying to overpower over us. There’s a select few women in the game whose names hold real weight but there’s room for many more. So much room. I’m not talking about just me, I would just love to see the Hip-Hop world saturated with authentic, talented women. It isn’t impossible.
Your #FourBarFriday series has become a hit of sort. I think especially with you having such little music out it’s a fine way to still provide content to your budding fanbase. What gave you the inspiration to start it and did you expect to get such love on it?
I can’t remember who it was, but lots of people were doing #FourBarFridays maybe last year and I would participate. It was just something fun to do but just like most trends, it eventually died down. I tried to resurrect it just so I would be able to have a little bit of material on the internet and be more active and visual. Especially leading up to the tape. I didn’t really think people would actually listen as much as they do. I was surprised at the fact that there are a few people checking for it every Friday, so it holds me accountable, definitely. So I’m going to try to stop posting at 11:58PM on Friday nights. Keyword, TRY.
How do you balance being a full time student, a job and your artistry? It has to require a great amount of determination.
I always say that it’s difficult but not impossible. I used to like the fact that I was always busy, always running around. At Jackson State, it’s a little more challenging to stay on top of things because the bulk of succeeding relies on the importance of time management. I’m still trying to improve when it comes to that, but I’m getting there.
If you had one song to listen to for the rest of your life which one would it be and why?
This was honestly one of the most difficult questions in the whole world, so I’m just going to pick a random favorite song. Erykah Badu’s “Other Side of the Game” is a good one. First off her voice is euphoric so I don’t think I’d ever get tired of hearing her. Also, just a random tidbit,I loved the video with her and Andre just frolicking around the house so much that the first time I saw it I was sort of in a trance. It was so simple but I was captivated. So hearing the song makes me revisit the first time I saw the video.
How do you feel you can help to improve the rap scene as a whole?
I feel I can bring more truth and positivity. My music always has been and always will be a reflection of me. My music says that it’s okay to not have everything together. Life is still beautiful. Some artists try to hide their imperfect sides whereas those are the sides of myself that I use music for the most. It’s honesty. I’ll bring an aura to the scene that can’t be duplicated. Not because it’s so dope or so cool, but because it’s true and it’s me in every way.
If you would say you had 3 main goals for Joyful Noise what are they?
I want it to enlighten, inspire, and challenge.
When it’s all said and done what would you like for your lasting legacy to be?
I want to be remembered as someone who inspired the world to love and think and live positively not only throughmy music but just through daily life. I want people to be able to honestly say I was as dope of a person as I was anartist.
Last question, What is the most unique thing about Charity the person, and Vitamin Cea the rapper,respectively.
Charity the person…. The most unique thing about Charity the person is that she’s a lot more goofy than Vitamin Cea the rapper can portray. It shows through some of the music but not as much. At school, there’s a bulk of people who I know would probably not know or care to know my name if they didn’t know I rapped.. So the unique thing about Vitamin Cea the rapper is that I can say whatever I want to whoever I want because they’re going to actually listen to what I have to say. As the rapper.
Twitter & IG @theVitaminCea
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