Today we’d like to introduce you to VER7E.
Messiah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well to start off my name is VER7E. Its nice to meet ya. Im an artist from Chicago currently residing in Nashville. I’ve been putting out music for about 7 years now but i’ve been a student of the art my whole life. Music has been a lover, a friend, and teacher my whole life. My mama was part of a girl group, my grandma was a DJ, uncle is a drummer, and much more i can list. I found myself through music it was my first safe space. I truly have unconditional love for music. When i first started i rapping i was a wild force of energy. Most people start off quiet and progressively find their voice. Me, I started off loud and energetic and over the year learned how to tame my natural aggression and delivery. My music when i first started is completely different than what it is now. I have a knack for samples due to being introduced to musical influences like Aaliyah, Sade, Amerie, etc. My personal top 5 is a whole different story.
I started recording late 2018 and putting out music in 2019 on SoundCloud. Same time the idea of A.L.P.H.A (Always Live Prosperous Having Ambition) was born. As I grew as a person and artist i traveled. I traveled from home to South Carolina and resided there for 3 years. Pushed out music started, performing, recording myself, etc. It was really a time skip for me in growth. I owned 10 x 20 shed and turned it into a tiny house/studio. Lastly formed A.L.P.H.A as a brand. Then I decided to come to Nashville solely based on opportunity and wanting change.
When I came here I only had what I could fit in my friend’s car. Slept on studio couches for a couple weeks, stayed in my friend’s parents guest room, I really was thugging it but I found my way. Came here September 2023 and got settled in October 2023 so I made stuff shake quick. Overtime I got acclimated to the area of Nashville. Seeing opportunities, learning the history, observing the culture really. Went to artist camps, open mics, opened for artists, friends shows, etc. My family moved out here too. Then I started making real friends, connections, and relationships out here. Really went from nothing of mine besides what I could take to building my own ecosystem out here. Im grateful for Nashville.
Since being here I’ve put out 4 projects. My latest project “The Golden Age” came out July 7th 2026. That day is significant not only because of my project but because it was also the beginning of me throwing my own performances as a representative of A.L.P.H.A. Now we are here.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yeahhhhhhh NO! But choosing to put yourself first and doing what you want never is. I have a saying I live by. Swing your sword. It means to fight for you and put yourself as priority. Do what makes you happy to your last breath and fight for that with all you got. Now obviously I hope people have a moral compass when doing what they want but also It’s not about doing what you want. it’s about putting yourself in position to do what you want. To have sovereignty over yourself.
That road comes with ALOT of challenges. First of all MONEY. I think that speaks for itself, anything of real value isn’t cheap. I’ve also lost friends and family choosing music, to do what I want. Ive lost romantic relationships, shoot I almost lost myself. Choosing yourself can be a lonely road especially if you are not around people of like mindset. Also just being an artist is energetically taxing, especially if you have no guidance. Networking can be annoying and difficult, especially if people not on the same wavelength. Professionalism is another big factor. Then the physical act of performing, practicing, recording, content creating, video shoots, tending to relationships, oh and guess what MONEY. But those same things that also make it dreadful are the same things that makes the moments joyful and worthwhile.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
So when I say I’m an artist I mean that in a multitude of ways. Im a chef and been in the culinary industry 10 years now. I make all my own graphics, cover arts, and logos. Not a professional but steadily learning and growing when it comes to shooting and editing videos. I even make my own oil perfumes and colognes that I pass out at my shows.
Cooking was my surface level passion when i was too scared to say I wanted to be an artist. I love food, being self sufficient, and the creativity and love of cooking. I had a program in high school junior and senior year called career center. You would take your main classes (U.S. history, whatever science and whatever math) then take a bus to a neighboring school which served as a hub for career development. They had auto collision, welding, cosmetology, childhood development, media broadcast training, etc. i chose culinary. I finessed school. I knew i wasn’t going to college. Didn’t want to and I was making money. Never applied myself until it mattered (clutch), so I would ace my finales or midterms bring my grade up to a C. Dropped from a core 40 to a regular high school diploma… (I HATED ALGEBRA 2). So literally my day was 2 classes, a study hall (sleep or do homework if i cared), lunch, go to culinary school which was fun, then go to work where 80% of back of the house was staffed by me (my friends).
A restaurant put out applications at my school. I started working at 15 as a dishwasher. Our grill cook at the time walked out. They asked if I can cook for real i said yeah and viola I was grill cook. I grew overtime. I staffed the back of the house with my friends which put me in the same respect as sous chef. That was the beginning of my culinary career.
Im beyond grateful for the kitchen. HEARD! Is part of my daily language for 10 plus years now. Cooking has been a genuine love language passed down from both sides of my family. I love to feed my friends and take care of my people. So I chose culinary arts. I didn’t like school so I made sure I had a skill that aligned with my passion and what I like to do. That skill put me ahead in life to where I have at least 80% sovereignty over my own life by the time im 23. Im going for 100% by 30. Wish me luck im 25.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck matches the input of work you do to achieve whatever goal. You can’t control everything but you can control what you do, where you are, and who you are. The more you put your self in the position aligned with what you want, the “luckier” you will be. That mentality had played a significant role in my life. Shoot its how im doing this interview haha. Im particular with my energy and very intentional on who or what i give energy to. It’s not about doing what you want its about putting yourself in position to do what you want. If you spend $200 on shoes and rent is not paid you’re going to be homeless with $200 shoes just cause you wanted. That’s different than spending $200 on shoes when your responsibilities are handled.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://popl.co/card/79Auyu6S/2/dash
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ver7e777
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@alpha_productionz
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user306481925
