V of 40M is a revolutionary artist who has also been dubbed “The architect of revolutionary rap”. Based in North Carolina, he is a member of 40M, an independence people’s movement better known as 40 million strong. He recently unleashed a single called ‘The Score’ that I found myself totally captivated by, and I knew I had to get to know him a little better.
Stoked that he agreed to an interview, V of 40M tells us more about the 40M movement, who some of his biggest musical inspirations are, and what his general creative process looks like. So, without further ado, please give a warm welcome to our new friend V of 40M!
Welcome aboard V of 40M! It’s an honour to be able to chat with and introduce you to our ever-growing audience. For those who haven’t discovered your musical prowess just yet, who is V of 40M and when did your love affair with music begin?
Who is V of 40M? All and everything the Creator, the Universe and my people need me to be. Darkness come to light. I am a guide, a revolutionist and a liberator – and sometimes when I’m compelled to be – a bomb a** artist. Music has always been connected to this life. It was always in the background but now it sits close to the forefront.
I’ve been blown away by your latest release ‘The Score’. It’s such a powerful piece of music. I know that it was inspired in a sense by legendary hip-hop trio The Fugees, but what else can you tell our readers about your brand new track?
V of 40M featuring my guys and fellow M’s, 40M Tye and Hippie G. Produced by LABACK and recorded at Media Majors. Revolutionary vibes only. Awareness, Organization, Self-Sufficiency and Self-Determination on behalf of all Melanites or “Black” people. It’s a message of power.
Please tell us more about 40M and the movement.
Go to 40M.us to really get the sauce but…We are 40M or Forty Million Strong, an independence movement for Melanites or “Black People” worldwide but currently focused in the US. Infrastructural building to put in place all the working pieces of a thriving nation. Internal and external resourcing to provide our people with all necessities and possible amenities as well as promoting international relations, commerce/trade, etc between us and the world. Exercising our International Right of Self Determination to establish ourselves as an autonomous people acting collectively towards our political, economic, social and cultural development. 40M.us again for more information.
Who would you put down as some of your biggest musical influences and who would you ultimately credit for helping shape and mould your overall sound?
I’ve only been influenced by the Creator and the Ancestors but I have been inspired or motivated by many talents over the years. Peter Tosh. Bob Marley. Rakim, Public Enemy, Poor Righteous Teachers, early 2pac and Nas, The Roots. Ain’t nobody else really talking about shit even if I dig the vibe or whatever.
What, to you, is music’s role in society?
Music’s role has become a medium of master manipulation. Its ability to influence humans and massively impact the masses has been perverted for capitalistic gain and psychological warfare amongst other things. Music at its highest potential is progressive, not detrimental.
When you’re not creating new music, what keeps you busy and what do you enjoy doing? Walk us through a non-music day in the life of V of 40M.
We’re on “M” timing 2-4-7, 2-5-8. Every day we’re building, moving in and with purpose. Big M s*** you know. I put the movement into all that I do so even my day-to-day interactions are “M” oriented or connected.
Please tell our readers a little bit about your creative process. How do you take just a thought or an idea and turn it into a song?
It depends but regardless it’s to the credit of the Creator. Sometimes the song comes to me, sometimes I go to it. At random times – random ideas, bars, melodies and more come like key pieces to a puzzle then we build the rest from there. Other times there are just things I’m compelled to say.
Which of your lyrics would you like to see printed on a T-shirt?
“All power to the people”
“We are Self-Determined”
“Quick to kill a n*** over hoe s*** but when them k*****s come, we ain’t on s***”
Thanks again for chatting with us! It’s been great getting to know you a bit better. Before we let you go though, what comes next for you musically?
Singles, mixtapes, and tours prayerfully in the works by 2025. @Vof40M on all major platforms, stay tuned. Head to 40M.us to really tap in and get connected. Big lit, heavy on the 4’s!
