by Sheree Lacey
After their set at FourWinds Festival, Sheree catches up with C-Critt Veda and Jordan Truly, both halves of Truly Veda.
Q: When was the group formed?
A: “We met on prison transport, and when we got out, and started doing music, it changed our lives.”, C-Critt describes. “We started out doing solo stuff, but [after performing together] we decided to merge and become Truly Veda.” “Before we were just each other’s hype guy.”, Jordan chuckles.
Q: What was life like before the music?
A: “Just stupid shit. I spent over a decade in prison for drug abuse, and just [a path] in the darkness, and then I found some light in music. Spreading light through music has really become my mission.”, C-Critt shares. “Music has always been a part of me, it’s my therapy. I’ve always been a writer, and I’ve just kind of learned to incorporate that into something bigger than just filling up notebooks.”, Jordan tells us.
Q: Did you have a lot of support from your hometown starting out?
A: “Absolutely, because our platform has always been mental health awareness, and overcoming the struggle. I wouldn’t say as much from the local hip hop community, but we do canned food drives, and fentanyl awareness events, and community clean ups, and the community really backs that up.” C-Critt opens up. Jordan chuckles softly and adds, “We’re better dads then we are MC’s.”
Q: What kind of artists or art inspires your music?
A: “I grew up on 90s alternative, and old school hiphop, and I like to incorporate that into my style, and just who I am. As for artists, King Iso is a big inspiration right now, his lyrics just mean a lot, to both of us.”, Jordan shares. “I’ve always been more fond of more raw, underground talent, I’d say my nuggets inspirations are Remy Red, and Top of the Line, who were from Pensacola FL, where I came up at. They really just kind of sparked that desire for me as a kid.”, Jordan tells us.
Q: What’s been your most memorable show?
A: C-Critt doesn’t hesitate. “We just got back from Rap in the Rivers in Montana, where we opened up for people like Da Baby, Mexican OT, Paul Wall. Growing with that festival every year has been a huge, huge thing for us.” “It’s a part of our biology,”, Jordan adds.
Q: If you could give one message to everyone in the world right now, what would it be?
A: “Everyday, find positivity. There’s always a million things to be negative about, but there’s always something great we can latch onto, and get us through each day. Never be afraid to ask for help.” C-Critt shares. “I would just add by saying do what you love to do, and just be healthy for the world.” Jordan opens up.” There’s a lot of unhealthy things in the world, and as human beings and knowing that experience, we need to find a better way.”
Be on the lookout for their newest album, as well as always another show on the docket.
Oct 10th – Pine Ridge at a skateboard and basketball competition for the youth.
October 30th – Costume contest at the 707 Nightlife, with King ISO in Rapid City
November 13th – The Icon in Sioux Falls with Struggle Jennings
November 14th – The 707 Nightlife with Struggle Jennings in Rapid City
Dec 5th – Hip Hop Toy Drive at the J Bar in Rapid City
Leave a Reply