Vv Pete

Interview with Portia Brajkovic

One of the most exciting voices in Australian music, 21-year-old rapper Vv Pete brings a flavour and energy to the local scene that is thus far unprecedented. Off the back of releasing high-octane singles Bussit, Frauds, and Jordan 1s, and supporting Denzel Curry, we spoke to the Mount Druitt- raised artist about her motivations and vision, the Australian scene, and what's next in her come-up.

Shot by Connor Sprague

How did you get started in music?

When I was younger, I never thought I would become an artist. I was always into science, I was obsessed with planets. But then Nicki [Minaj] dropped Super Bass and I would just write lyrics for creativity. Then I did my first cover. I remember in Year Five, we had a little class activity where we had to write songs and whoever won would win a prize. For some reason everyone chose me. All I remember was everyone chanting, screaming, and then my teacher said to me, “Vv, you're going to be a big star”.

How does your family feel about your career?

They're so supportive, I'm not gonna lie to you. They're honestly the best. I'm just genuinely so happy that my family supports my movement, because one thing in the African household is your parents want you to be doctors, lawyers, something that brings really big cash to the family. When you tell your family that you want to be an artist, it's kind of like a downfall for them.

What does your creative process generally look like?

I work off type beats. I freestyle, record it, and then make something new with my producer. Other times, I’ll be in the studio with my producer and we’ll do it on the spot.

Where do you find inspiration?

My lyrics revolve around things that happen in my life. My mum is a single mum. She's raised my brother and I, and my brother has a disability. I feel like that is my biggest inspiration when it comes to music, just to keep going, going, going.

Shot by Connor Sprague

How do you tackle writer’s block?

When I sit down to write, I don't want to be repeating myself too much in terms of lyrics. When I literally have no ideas, I actually tend to just literally search up topics on the internet. Just to get my brain to link things I’ve gone through, or obstacles I’m facing. It gives me new topics to talk about.

Have you always known that you would be successful?

I feel like from a young age I always knew that I would make a bag, but I didn’t think I’d be going for such a lavish or competitive lifestyle. If you had told a younger me that I would call myself a female rapper, I would have said you were crazy.

So it's more something that you kind of stumbled into, rather than a dream that you had from day one?

Yeah, because the movement really kicked in. After I started doing Facebook freestyles around the age of 15 to 16 years old, people around me at school understood that this is my destiny, with music. Around 17 I started going to [youth support program] The Street University in Mount Druitt. That’s when, around the age of 17, I was like, “Cool, this is what I want to do. This is my career”.

What role have social media and community played in your come-up?

I would say that 80% are supportive. With the other 20%, there’s always going to be internet trolling, I don’t pay attention to that. A majority of the community has been supportive. I take the haters as motivation.

What has been the biggest obstacle in getting your vision and career off the ground?

For me, it was finding the right producer. My current label TRACKWORK, I signed to them in 2021 or 2020. Before him, I was really stuck. I had producers reaching out to me, but because I wasn’t signed to them, no one consistently took me seriously. It’s easy to record but I needed energy. I needed motivation when it came to music videos, releasing singles, projects, this and that.

On the ground, there’s a really vibrant and exciting scene within the realm of hip hop, R&B, and soul. But it seems that when people think of Aussie music, it’s indie folk, indie pop, and so on. What do you think of this? How does it feel to be at the forefront of the scene just as its gathering momentum, but is still underappreciated?

I feel like we have been whitewashed away from the scene in terms of recognition. Right now, the Aussie scene is popping. I kind of feel like Iggy Azalea opened up a small door for Australia. People know her as an Australian rapper, even though she lives in America. I feel like she gave people some sort of recognition of what Australians are made of. Then we have ONEFOUR recently, putting Sydney on, and other artists coming out. Yeah, the scene is popping.

Your sound is particularly fresh in Australia - Bussit was described (by Niche Productions) as a “next-generation, strip-club anthem” while Acclaim referenced heavy club beats and global dance music. How do you describe it in your own words?

It's lit, honestly. I just love to have fun with it. I want people to feel confident. It's also to inspire people. I know sometimes I tell the girls to shake their ass or whatever, but it's kind of like I'm giving confidence. I want you to come out of your introvert moments and become an extrovert for a second, shake your ass, have fun. You know what I mean? My music is just based on confidence, period. If you want to wear a two-piece and you're a plus size, do it, so what? You're a bad bitch. If you're a guy and you want to, for example, put on makeup, do it. Have pride in what you do.

Last year, Heartbreak High featured a range of Aussie music, including your track Bussit. It felt like a really monumental moment for Australian artists, particularly within the hip hop, R&B and soul space. What was your reaction to hearing about that placement, and the musical direction in general?

I was amazed. Everything that happened from Bussit and Frauds was honestly a dream for me. I knew these things would happen, but just not this fast, not after one track, not after two tracks. I expected it at least after four, five, six songs. I feel honestly blessed. The fact that I have these opportunities. I know so many artists put so many things out there and still haven't achieved that. I say that with respect. But that's also because in the Australian scene, it's hard to get recognition.

You recently supported Denzel Curry. From the TikTok footage, the crowd looked to be insane. How was that experience?

Insane. Again, that was a dream. That was another thing on my bucket list. I expected it to happen at least two, three years from now. I remember watching his cypher with 21 Savage in 2016. If someone told me back then that I was going to open for Denzel in 2023? No way. I'd be laughing at their face. It's beautiful. I feel blessed. With things like that, it just comes from hard work. That's why I love my fan base, they’re so fucking supportive.

Do you prefer being in the studio or on stage?

That's a hard one. The way I look at it, if I'm not in the studio, I wouldn't be on stage, but I'm gonna have to say stage.

Your latest single Jordan 1s is high energy, with a drill and jersey club influence. What was the process and inspiration behind the track?

My producer showed me this beat. He told me it was Jersey and, I’ll be honest, I’m into Jersey music—Ice Spice, Lil Uzie, their jersey tracks are popping—but I always said, “I’m not gonna make a Jersey track”. I just didn’t think it was my genre. But he showed me the beat and it had that drill energy, so I said, “Cool, let’s try it, gang”. We just got into it. It’s the same energy as Frauds. These girls copy me. They want to be like me. I feel like people are trying to jump on my energy instead of staying in their own lane.

Top three Aussie producers?

1. Trackwork
2. Bodega Collective
3. Any local producers

Who do you think is the most exciting young & emerging creative in Sydney?

LEE
@_official_lee23