Vocaliz is a soulful hip hop artist who has traveled quite the distance in his lifetime. Originally from Cameroon (in Africa), he now finds himself in North Carolina.

In our interview below we discuss the challenges of an international, multi-lingual artist marketing to a US audience. We also discuss his influences and his journey.

Who are you? Where are you from? What style of music do you create?

My name is Vocaliz , I’m from Yaounde in Cameroon ( Central Africa ) and my music is a blend of Hip Hop, Soul, Reggae and Pop.

What led you from Cameroon to North Carolina ?

I moved to North Carolina to be physically close to my family that needs me as much as I need them in the everyday life.

What challenges are you facing as an international, multi-lingual artist promoting music to English speaking audiences?

I would say it’s not always easy to break the trend and bring something different from what people are used to hear everyday. But I believe it’s my duty as an artist to present my music from my own angle, with my own vision and just be true to that inner feeling to pushed me to become a musician today. Just like Wyclef said ” people will always accept culture when it’s introduced to them in a beautiful way ” and that’s all I’m striving for. Make the best music possible and let the audience be the judge.

How does it compare to promoting your music outside of the US?

I think in this information age, in no matter where you live it’s all about having a strong presence online. Just like this interview that I’m having with you, we didn’t meet in the physical world but online and through your channel I can touch a new audience. It’s pretty much the same struggle everywhere. I’d say but the US being the biggest music market makes it the most competitive too. With millions of people all fighting for the very same cake, you’ve got to be as unique as possible to make the difference and rise above the competition which is definitely very fierce.

How does the music scene where you are from compare to the music scene where you are at?

Where I’m from Hip Hop isn’t as big as it is here so it definitely makes a big difference. But the fact that almost no big labels have offices in North Carolina makes it hard on the local scene . That being taken into consideration, I focus a lot more on strengthen my online presence online to increase my fanbase and still perform live everytime I have the opportunity to.

What other artists, producers, etc have you or do you work with?

I work with several producers based on many places around the world, Afana from Ghana ( with whom I made a collaborative album in 2009 ) Nu-Aira from Canada, Daidalsone from Greece, Kevobeats from Greensboro North Carolina and recently I have recorded some tracks with multi-platinum producer Rheji Burell who worked with big names such as Krs-one, P Diddy, Total or Monifah.

Who or what influences you to keep making music? How long have you been doing this?

I started writing lyrics around the 2000- 2001 so it’s been about 12 years now that I make music. My music influences come from different genres but Hip Hop remains the predominant one. Some of them are Fugees, The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, Bob Marley, Nas, The Marley Brothers, Sean Paul, Rakim, Stevie Wonder, Fela Kuti, K’naan. It would be too long to mention all of them. I just love music in all its forms and I always let myself being inspired by different sounds and sources of light.

What can we expect in 2013? What are your goals/plans this year?

I have just released my first solo EP ” The Lesson Plan ” , that alone already makes 2013 a special year for me ( smiles ). My main goals for this year are to expose my artform to new audiences by spreading my music virus as much as I can, find more allies, more people or organizations just like ” www.midtnmusic.com ” that will bring valuable support to my music career and help me grow in my journey.

How is the Internet helping (or hurting) your efforts to market, promote, and connect with fans?

I think the internet the most useful tool we musicians have today to promote ourselves.It gives us more control and shows us that we can do so much without any help or any label behind. It’s amazing to be directly in contact with people who your music. Its thanks to the internet that I have been able to connect with most of the people that helped me through different ways and made the artist that I am today. I believe Internet is the future of the music business.

Where can we find you online? Where can we buy your album?

First of all I’d like to invite anybody who who wanna support me to subscribe on www.vocalizmusic.com so they can often get from tracks and exclusive offers. You can find on facebook, on twitter, on reverbnation and on soundcloud.

The album is available on all the main digital stores such as iTunes, Google Play, Amazon mp3, Spotify, lastfm etc . . . Just type Vocaliz ” The Lesson Plan ” .

Thank you for having me, this is VOCALIZ ” The citizen of the planet Earth ” , I invite you all to get a copy of my EP ” The Lesson Plan ” , share it with your friends and subscribe to my list on www.vocalizmusic.com]