@mrviquez a.k.a. Tallyhood was born in Manhattan on November 23, 1983. He was raised in Brooklyn until he graduated High School then moved to New Jersey where he lived for about ten years and now resides in Buffalo, NY.

Currently an artist on the Five Star Entertainment Group record label. Full-Time vlogger on Steemit and Father of Two boys and one girl.

Background and Early Life

His love for music came at an early age. @mrviquez was introduced to music through the form of dance. It rapidly evolved
and his love for music continued to grow.

He began singing when he was around 10 years old. Then as he got a little older, he wanted to learn how to make music. So he had taught himself how to play the piano. He also had joined band in high school and that's where his dream to be a music star really took hold.

As he grew older, he stopped singing and began rapping. It took a while for him to find his flow but eventually, he began rapping with ease and people started to take notice.

Then he gone through some very hard times and became incarcerated. This is where his style of music really matured and he developed his own unique style of making music. He was widely accepted by all of the other prisoners and soon had made a name for himself he was incarcerated at. This gave him the motivation to actually pursue a career in music.

Work Ethic

Viquez is a perfectionist when it comes to his work style to the point that he is almost OCD with it. He really doesn't like to do things halfway. He'd rather not do it at all if he can't finish it or do it correctly.

He works well with others and is always open to new ideas and ways of doing things. He always tries to learn something new everytime he grinds. It helps keep him on his toes and his brain fresh.

What Separates Him From Others?

Nowadays a lot of artists can have a hard time coming up with good song concepts and struggle to write good hooks. Viquez doesn't really have trouble with that part. To him, it's actually quite easy. Song concepts and hooks are what makes the song relevant and POPULAR so he takes pride in knowing he excels in these areas.

He also raps and sings in both English and Spanish without an accent in either language. This is something he hasn't heard any artist be able to do.

Mentors/Influences.

The biggest mentor Viquez has ever had has been his cousin. Viquez's cousin has also been the only person to inspire him to go the extra mile. His raw critique of Viquez's lyrics when he first started out was the most important part of his development.

Viquez says:

Most people don't take the time to listen and will just tell you what you want to hear. But not him he always kept it 100 with me to the point that I didn't want to even rap anymore. Eventually one day a light bulb went off and I just had it. I let him
hear it and he told me what I've always wanted him to say. "That's sh*ts hot..."

Growing up he listened to a wide variety of music from Kriss Kross and all the way to Selena. But the song "24 hours to live" by Mase Featuring The Lox, Black Rob & DMX really had an impact on him with Hip-hop. When Biggie(Notorious B.I.G.) died, Viquez felt Brooklyn transformed into something different. "It was the same but it just wasn't the same." Some other artists that influenced Viquez were: "Nas, Jay-Z, Eminem, the list is too long."

Career/Life Moment

Viquez did a show once when he was incarcerated and he literally brought the house down. He never imagined getting the response he did. The crowd was all male and he really didn't know what to expect. There were about 300 people and it was his first ever performance and did it on the fly. A friend of Viquez told him to get up and do the song he did for his friend in the yard.

After that, people started to notice him and try to work out some kind of deal. But he was in jail and "everyone in there is a Millionaire drug dealer. So it went in one ear and out the other."

Viquez knew that he was good because he felt the harshest critics are in jail. He thought if they liked the music with no beat and just acapella, then the world would probably love it.

A performance Viquez did at Delaney Hall Halfway House that was a "groundbreaking moment" for him and is what really pushed him to try and become better at his skills and gave him the confidence he needed.

Lessons and Goals

The most valuable lesson Viquez learned is to never give up.

Even though I'm not rich and famous, many people admired my talent and enjoy my music. If I would have given up all those years ago when my cousin was telling me that I was the "wackest" thing he'd heard, I wouldn't be the artist I am today.

Some of his goals are to put out a couple great singles and start getting exposure. Viquez wants to become a master at his craft so he and my family can reap the benefits from it. He doesn't want to be rich, he wants the world to hear his story so maybe he can change the world with his music

Inspiration, Passion

Viquez's inspiration for his music comes from the love he has when he sees and feels the reaction of people when they hear his music. Also by his view of the lack of good music available to the masses at a mainstream level

I feel as though others have made me passionate about making music. Also the satisfaction of making great music. I love every minute of it and this passion I have will never burn out for as long as I live. If nobody liked my music I would have
been deterred. In the end, all artist make music for the world to enjoy. Who wants to make un-enjoyable music? Not me.

"The Revolution will not be televised."

"The Revolution is here!"