Vedo is intentionally consistent. Since 2019, the singer and songwriter has released at least one project per year, including a collaborative project with producer OG Parker (While You Wait, 2022). In January, Vedo released his Mood Swings album, which featured his Chris Brown-assisted single “Do You Mind.” Now, the platinum-selling artist is back with 7, his seventh studio album and second album of the year.
So, what keeps the rising singer creatively motivated? “Just the love for music that I have,” Vedo tells Rated R&B on a video call while in New York. “I experienced a lot of things in life, good and bad, but they all are inspirations for the music that I write and come out with. If I’m not traveling, doing any shows or [having] family time, I’m in the studio working and writing in some form of poetry.”
Vedo’s 7 album includes the singles “Split” and “Intentional,” produced by Camper. Vedo previously told Rated R&B of the latter track, “I’m at a place in life where everything I do will be intentional: from the friends I keep, the places I go, to who I choose to love. Often times people sacrifice their happiness and peace for something or someone. Live an honest, kind, prosperous and ‘intentional’ life.”
While Mood Swings catered to different emotions, 7 is steeped in passionate songs that celebrate the depths of love. The album opens with “The Only Way,” a seductive jam that will fit nicely on any love-making playlist. Here, Vedo isn’t interested in a rushed experience. Instead, he opts to make an emotional connection before getting between the sheets.
“Before I hit that spot, girl, I’m gon’ need your mind / You need a mental f**k, before I make you mine / ‘Cause makin’ love don’t start with me tellin’ you to get on top / It happens way before, your panties hit the floor,” he croons.
The succeeding songs “Future Sex Sounds” and “Luv To A Fck Song” are also soundtracks for the bedroom. In the latter tune, Vedo sings about making sweet love to a hard-hitting sex song. “I just want a girl who gon’ f**k me like a thot / Hit it from the back in my brand new drop / F**k her with my chains on like I’m 2Pac / Makin’ love to a f**k song, please don’t stop,” he sings.
The D’Angelo-inspired “Grown @ss Woman” is a celebration as much as it is a call to action. On the Versace P-produced track, Vedo praises sophisticated women around the world while also sending a signal to men to look in the mirror. “Better have it together when you step because that’s a grown ass woman,” he sings.
Vedo’s new album arrives ahead of his Still Having Mood Swings Tour, which begins Oct. 15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and concludes Nov. 12 in Denver, Colorado.
In Rated R&B’s interview with Vedo, the R&B singer-songwriter discusses his new album 7, being an intentional person, staying grounded in his faith and plans for his tour.
In an Instagram post, you stated, “Although I’m far from being done, after creating 7, the album, I now have a sense of fullness.” What was the most fulfilling aspect of working on this project?
I just think it’s a great body of work. It reminds me of one of my favorite albums that I released, VEDO, which was sonically an amazing R&B album. This album feels that way to me. I feel that this album has something that will stick and stay with people. I feel like I’ve created a lane where I don’t have to waver or change anything I’ve been doing from this point forward when it comes to the music I release [and] the topics that I sing about. I don’t think there’s any more figuring out what we have to do. I think it’s more so staying consistent, releasing quality R&B, keeping love at the forefront, and keeping God around in everything I do. I feel like this is finally that album that we’ve found what we’re trying to do now.
You released your album Mood Swings in January. How would you compare the creative bridge from that album to 7?
There’s different emotions and feelings that came with this album. On Mood Swings, I was very moody around that time. I don’t know why (laughs). I’m not afraid to say that we all have ups and downs. This album creates different moods when it comes to every song that you listen to. It’s pure R&B. You can’t listen to this album and not feel love and a sense of fullness. It’s some records on there that I don’t think I’ve done on any project. It’s a real inspirational record. It’s almost like a gospel song, but it’s my spin on gospel.
Let’s get into the album 7. You open with “The Only Way.” What’s the inspiration behind that song?
“The Only Way” is one of my favorites on the album. It’s what you would call aggressive, beautiful R&B — from the top line, the lyrics, the bridge, the backgrounds like — it just sonically sounds R&B. Big shout out to the homie Felly. He’s an amazing songwriter. He sent me the idea for the song. When I heard it, I was like, “Absolutely, I love it”. I went in and made it my own. I decided to make it the opening track because what better way to get somebody’s attention than to ‘slap ’em in the face’ (laughs).
That record is an amazing work of art. Music, for me, has started to become more of an experience of collaboration. The last couple of albums have been new for me because I was self-sufficient for the better part of my career, which is an amazing thing. But over time, other people have stories that need to be told. I can be that vessel to tell that story. There are some dope writers and producers out here that are getting slept on. If I can shed the light, that’s what I’ll do.
You don’t put too many features on your albums. 7, in particular, has one guest appearance. What do you look for in a creative partner?
It’s nothing I really look for. Don’t get me wrong, we actually reach out to people and try to get features, but I ain’t pressed on features. If a person isn’t pressed to collab with me, all right, cool, I’m gonna just do my thing. I’m gonna do it how we’ve been doing it. Obviously, features are good for streaming and stuff like that. But I don’t really look for anything in a creative partner. I think because if I’m looking for a feature, the biggest part is already done. You just need to do a verse on the topic of what the song is.
What inspired “Grown @ss Woman”?
I love that record. I think women are going to gravitate towards that. I wasn’t always as savvy and suave. When I was younger, I always used to try to go after grown women. I would come in trying to talk smooth like, “What’s up baby?” They would be like, “Boy, I’m a grown ass woman. You better sit down somewhere.” So I thought it was cool to bring that whole sentiment back of women owning and saying: “Yo, I’m a grown ass woman.” And not just in dressing up and looking sexy but: “I’m a grown ass woman when it comes to business. I’m a grown ass woman when it comes to believing in myself. I’m a grown ass woman when it comes to moving with poise and intention.”
What’s the meaning behind “I Need You” featuring Lecrae?
It’s a record that pulls you back to reality. We get lost in fame. We get lost in time. We get lost in doing everything and partying. We forget that God is the reason we’re here. Eventually, you have to dial back and call unto him like, “Hey, God, I need you. Everything is going good, but it’s something in me that says, ‘I need you.’” People only pray when things are bad. People don’t pray when everything is going good. I think we all need to get back to understanding that in every aspect of your life, you need God, and you need to call out to him. Not not only for when things are going bad, but when you need protection and peace from bad things happening.
I’m stepping into different seasons of my life. I’m getting married. I’m talking about extending my family. It’s a lot of stuff that’s going on that are beautiful things. The devil loves to hang around beautiful things. When you’re not in tune with God the way you need to be, it’s easy for him to sneak in, put his arm around your shoulder, and say, “Come with me.” So every now and again, you need to dial back and say, “God, I need you,” and be sincere.
How do you stay mentally and spiritually grounded while navigating the entertainment industry?
I don’t get close to people. People can look at it like, “Oh, he being funny.” No, I’m just protecting my peace. We can chat, and we can kick it. I don’t get close to people, meaning I’m not coming to your house. You’re not coming to my house. I don’t wanna know who your friends are. The more access you give someone, the easier it is for them to tear something down. I stick to what I know. I have a circle of friends that I deal with and party with, and I have a circle of friends that I talk about business with. I keep a lot of those things separate because some people don’t speak the same language when it comes to certain things. It’s a barrier of protection. And honestly, like I said, it goes back to keeping God in and around everything you do.
Let’s talk about the album’s lead single, “Intentional.” What was your intention behind that
It was three in the morning and the word ‘intentional’ had been on my mind for weeks. I had been seeing it pop up on social media — like [the] word ‘intent,’ being intentional, good intentions [and] bad intentions. I used that as a sign. I went in the studio and started freestyling and just made a song about love. When I think back, every move that I’ve made from when I graduated high school — and this is speaking about my fianceé — every move I made was intentional from meeting her, getting her number, pursuing her, waiting for her to be ready. I wanted to sing about being intentional in everything that you do. And for me, that was love. I intentionally love this person. It was not a mistake. You know how people say, “We fell in love by mistake.” Nah, it wasn’t a mistake. I knew what I was doing. I think that that record is and will be a great guideline for everybody to move with good intentions. People know when you move with intent, you’re not to be played with.
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What’s your intention for your Still Having Mood Swings Tour?
To touch as many people as I can. The last tour I did was my first tour. I had no idea that many people wanted to see me (laughs). I want to inspire people. I want to see my fans. I want to see these beautiful faces. I want to hear these stories [and] these testimonies.
What do you hope listeners will take away from your album 7?
This is my seventh album as an independent artist. I’m still going. It is possible to do something you love and make a living. It is possible to touch the masses from your bedroom. It is possible to dream of something, go after it and make it come true. All you have to do is put your time in and work hard. I want people to understand, like, “Man, Vedo never folded. He stayed true to the type of music he wanted to do.” I want them to listen to this album and feel a sense of fullness, love and urgency. I want people to get back connected with what matters. It ain’t gotta necessarily be God; it can be whatever. It can be family, friends, or whatever you feel like you need. Your purpose in life is to get back connected with it because we got one life and we gotta live it.
Stream Vedo’s new album 7 below.
