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Excell was
born in Brooklyn New York of Jamaican parentage to Patricia Pryce
who was a singer and Donald Excell a poet and writer. His
grandfather Dudley Grinjah Excell, was also in the entertainment
business and worked on Mavado's album "Gangster for Life"
The name "Versatile"
was chosen after explaining his dreams to a young lady, who saw the name
fitting, based on his ambition to become an entertainer. Versatile turned
to writing music and poems when he moved to Australia at a young age, to
release the stress of living in a new and unusual environment, and family
issues. His father and uncle were both imprisoned, and the murder of his
uncle Steve. Versatile Excell wanted
to make a better life for himself.
Versatile later returned to the United State, where
he obtained an internship with VP Records, giving him the opportunity to
network with the likes of Capelton and Shabba Ranks, he sought to venture
into the music business, and pursue is lifelong dream of becoming an
entertainer.
In 2008 "Versatile Excell" embarked on his musical
career, where he beat jack free style for Shawty Lo's hit
"Dey Know" with his cousin Da Reason. Versatile later created Moves Fe Mek and Hater Proof a team
consisting of Da Reason, Hymn and Princess Menen, his mentor.
Versatile
Excell has over the years worked with
Japanese producer Yuki Snow Yano, Brazilian producer/clothing
designer Charles Holt owner of Run-Over Production.
Working hard to accomplish his
dream Versatile Excell is working hard on new material, his mixtape”DiVERSity
2: Growth, comes out in
May.
His motto "If
you're not here for my struggle, don't show up for my success", as
helped to see the importance of keeping himself close to people that are not
only real but are honest to realize what success really is.
Meet
the real Versatile Excell
CEM: When
did you first start singing?
VE: Ever since a
child I would sing very privately.. I wasn't to open about telling people.. But
I would jokingly sing hardcore rap songs to make it sound like an R&B type
for comedic purposes..
CEM: When did you know you wanted to be in the music industry?
VE
Ever since I was younger.. I knew I wanted
to be some sort of Entertainer, whether it was Acting, Music, Writing or even a
Basketball player.. But as far as doing music perhaps in 2008 I was for
certain.
CEM: How did you get into the music industry?
VE: Well still working on getting
my foot in the door.. But I was brought on stage with a close friend of the
family.. "Princess Menen" to open up for "Sizzla" at one of
his Earthstrong celebrations in Brooklyn and the rest is history..
CEM:
What did your family do to
encourage you?
VE: They were very talented.. It
was always around us.. People would come over not only for company but to be
entertained.. So there always supportive because we all had potential..
CEM: Apart
from your mom does anyone else in the family sings?
VE:Majority of the females but as far as taking
it seriously currently.. My sister Trish, my little brother Jace Excell in
Australia who is also there doing shows and cousin T-Money.
CEM:
Who is/are your favorite
singer/singers?
VE: I
have too much in mind but.. For Reggae.. Bob Marley, Freddie McGreggor, Beres
Hammond, Garnett Silkk, Wayne Wonder, Sanchez and Jah Cure.. I can go on
forever
CEM:
Who are your musical
inspirations?
VE: Anyone who has made it..
From the one hit wonders to the heavy hitters.. Music is so universal and hard
to break into without so much talent around.. I'm inspired but those who chased
there dream and turned it into reality.
CEM:
For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 5 words:
VE: I can explain it in 3 lol... "IPod
Shuffle Music"
CEM:What
kind of music do you listen to today?
VE: Well
I like anything that catches my ear. But I tend to listen to oldies majority of
the time.. My mother raised us on oldies from ska, reggae, soul and R&B..
So I could be listening to Bob Marley, Sam Cooke, 2pac, Buju, Beres, Biggie,
Coldplay, Lauryn Hill, Nas, Jay, DMX, 50, Beenie, Jah Cure, Vybz, Mavado,
Busta, Lil Wayne, Kardinal, Drake, and Bruno Mars to The Script... Just to name
a few I can go on.. Very Versatile...
CEM:What
embarrassing songs might I
find on your MP3 player/iPod/iPad?
VE: Lol
well I guess because I'm a guy.. Adele, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige,
Tanya Stephens, Lady Saw.. Hey there music is great..
CEM:
Where would you most like to perform?
VE: Sting,
Summer Jam or the Grammy's! I wanna just be in front of people with a love for
music and give them a show.. Show them how I am a student of this industry..
CEM:
If you could go open up for any artist on tour right now who would it be?
VE: It would have to be Kardinal
Offishal, Mavado, Drake or Akon because there music is very
"diVERSE"..
CEM:
Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?
VE: I admire the ones that
had no believers or seemed different from Bob Marley standing out to DMX being
an underdog, to 50 Cent being shunned, to Kanye being ignored & J. Cole
being slept on.. I feel like they inspire me to keep going.. Keep fighting and
don't give up.. "If There Not Here For My Struggle, Don't Show Up For My
Success"
CEM:
If you weren't singing, what would you be doing?
VE: I
most likely would be pursing acting or a writer. But if not entertaining then a counselor
or a social worker.
CEM:
Do you play any instruments?
VE: I used to be pretty good at
guitar and the drums when I was younger in church.. But I definitely lost my
skill.
CEM:
If you could be in another genre of music, what would it be?
VE: Well
I feel like I have music in almost every genre, my styles switch up so much
because I don't want to seem predictable.. So I'm sure I have options being
that my style is mixed with Reggae, Hip-Hop and R&B
CEM:
You write all of your own music; where do you draw inspiration from when you
write songs and what’s your favorite part about the process?
VE: I
draw inspiration majority of the time from my experiences or someone else's but
mostly my own.. No one can tell your story better then you can and that's how
it is with me. My favorite part of the process is actually creating a story
through music.. People need to understand that it's creative to paint a picture
or story with words where you can imagine it as the story unfolds.
CEM:
Do you enjoy writing
music and/or lyrics?
VE: My
music writing ability is my Therapy.. I would be completely insane if I didn't
have this skill.. I have a hard time speaking openly about my issues.. So I
hold a lot in.. But with the music, I'm comfortable with expressing my feelings
and feel like someone can relate as well.
CEM:
What hidden talents do you have?
VE: I wouldn't say
I have any hidden talents.. Besides my love for writing and acting.. I can
dance a bit too but I try to stay away from it.. Lol
CEM:What
would you like to say to your fans?
VE: Well first
sometimes I forget myself that I call my supporters/fans my Hater Proof
Certified "Family".. I'm being personal and expressing myself while
there taking time to listen.. So there the counselor and I'm the patient as
they listen to my thoughts or stories..
CEM:
What else can we expect from you?
VE: My Mixtape which comes out In
May 2012 called "DiVERSity 2: Growth... Which features production from
Jamaica's current top Producer Tariq "Russian" Johnston, as well as
Charles Holt, Japanese producer Yuki "Snow" Yano, 8th Light, Duck
Dodgers and more... If you’re a lover of music, looking for a new style, sound
and flavor then you need Versatile Excell..
Waiting In Vain "
Tribute" By Versatile Excell
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