Today we’d like to introduce you to Vato BeenPaid.
Hi Vat, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
So how I started in Music and how I got where I am today is a lengthy story. However, I’ll just give a brief summary. I grew up in the Frost-Lake Neighborhood of Saint Paul, and from an early age, I was always interested in anything Music or Art related. Whether it was drawing, singing, skateboarding or instruments, I bounced around a few hobbies but I always had an interest in making music and hip-hop culture. I mention skateboarding because I feel like one hand washes the other between hip-hop and skate culture, you know? They build off each other, and spending years in the skate community impacted my life in a lot of positive ways. With that being said I didn’t record any music till my Senior year of high school, with the first time taking my music seriously being my Freshman year of college. Thankfully all that music is long gone from the internet ha, however by halfway through my Sophomore year of college I fell into some legal troubles, along with not keeping up with my school work, I got kicked out of University, and fell back off of music. Looking back on it, those few early mistakes set off a domino effect of probations, misdirection, and hiccups for the next 5-6 years. Now If I had a second chance, I wouldn’t change a single detail, besides the fact that it distracted me from my passion for music. After a 4 year hiatus in early 2022, I made a choice to start taking music seriously again, and now I am just looking forward towards the future continuing to stay consistent with music, building my brand, and business Custiez a Cannabis Lifestyle Clothing brand founded in early 2020.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As with anything in life, it was not always strawberries and peaches but a lot of people had it worse than I did. As for growing up, I come from a working-class background, Single Mom with 3 Kids. That’s my baby. I love her to death, and she definitely broke her back (a few times) to give us the best life she could, and I owe her everything for it. Can’t forget my Grandparents neither. They had a big hand in raising me. We bounced around to a variety of houses but were mainly in St Paul for the majority of growing up. As I had mentioned previously as well, from bout 18-24 I was in and out of courtrooms and probation hearings, but I have left all of that in the past and was blessed enough to graduate from my probation just this year. Like i had previously said again, I just look forward to leaving all of that in the past, and staying on a positive route with this Music.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Aside from Music, what I am most passionate about is my brand Custiez. Custiez is a cannabis lifestyle clothing brand, founded in early 2020 during the pandemic. With MN on the cusp of legalization my main focus aside from music is looking to get my brand in the door for the white market, connecting dots, and fostering that community up here along with fellow cannabis enthusiasts, and brand operators here in MN.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I ain’t gonna say elaborate too much because those who know, know. But Much Love to Mom, Pop, Gma, Jilli, the Whole 1845, and my brotha Jay. Shout out to my guy, Tee, too. Without you bro, I never would’ve stepped in a studio in the first place, and its all about the little things in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.custiezofficial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vatobeenpaid/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vatobeenpaid
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNopsnEDOGyM5MgEAtAubtQ
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/vatobeenpaid
- Other: https://hyperfollow.com/vatobeenpaid
Image Credits
@a4lproductions
