Raven Sorvino: “This Is Who I Am.”

Let’s hop right into your latest single, “Planet Of The BAPE” — Tell me about this track? How did it actually come to fruition?

I went into the studio with Woody and Aktive; they collaborated on the beat. I knew exactly what I wanted. I had already had the hook in my head. I knew exactly what type of soundscape I was looking for. Heavy bass — mixed with a Trap — and dark cords. They both executed my idea perfect.

…I’m a Bape head; I wanted to make a theme song for people that are into Bape like myself. And from the responses I’m receiving from people doing the song live, people are really turning All the way Up! That’s how I know I have something; when the people can feel it.

“Planet Of The BAPE” comes courtesy of your LifeStyle EP — For someone like myself who has yet to hear the new project in its entirety, what would you tell that person can be expected from it?

Be expecting a lot of melodic flow patterns. And sounds — sonics — you’ve haven’t really heard before, especially from me. I want people to have a good time when they listen to this EP. I’m not trying (to) make you sad, or make you think too much. I just want you to put this on and sing along and just have a good time.

That being said, how does LifeStyle either differ and/or compare to previous Raven Sorvino efforts?

With this LifeStyle EP, I’m challenging myself more to just stop thinking so much and enjoy making music. Just go in the studio and have fun with these records! Play around with vocal tones. Switch up my flow on every song. Stop trying be the rap SuperHero and explore new vocal ranges that I never knew I had in me.

Reflecting, how did you first discover your musical talent?

In high school. At a talent show. After that, I knew that’s what I wanted to do; Be an Artist.

Who have been your greatest inspirations musically and why?

Aaliyah…Reason why, she was a natural talent a superstar without forcing herself on people or/and being manufactured by a major label. She’s inspired me to be great at what I do. Her dedication to Her fans and her career. I see all this; things in myself. Someone I definitely could relate to. Not to mention, I get told all the time that I “favor her”; I’m flattered! I love it, I do. But, there is only one Aaliyah; I would never try to be her. That can’t be duplicated.

How then would you describe and/or define the style of music that you create and perform?

It’s a mixture of southern culture and Los Angeles culture. The Trill elements of the south and the “playa” elements of California. The soundscape is unique. My producers have their own unique approach. We push to create something we can call our own, but still be centered for people to grasp to.

Where does your moniker originally derive from?

I got the Raven part from a poem written by Edgar Allan Poe “The Raven.” The Sorvino part is from an actress names “Mira Sorvino”; she played in a movie called The Replacement Killers, where she kicked ass! I put the two together and I became Raven Sorvino.

What do you feel you offer the music industry that we don’t already have in other performers?

I’m here to entertain the people. Whether it’s a role I’m playing in one of my videos or I’m performing at my shows. If you come to a Raven Sorvino show, I come out in a mink and champagne with a dancer who’s twerkin’ while I’m pouring champagne in the audience’s mouths. I pull a man from the audience who’s wearing a bucket hat and he gets a lap dance while I perform “Bucket Hat’z LO!” It’s a full on show that brings back an entertaining experience. This is who I am.

Have you encountered any problems in getting to this point in your career?

I’m independent and I’m a female in a male dominated industry. There’s roadblocks everywhere, but I bust through them as they appear. Staying focused and motivated to win and having people around you that has a common goal has gotten me to this point.

What do you want people to get from your music?

Let loose, have fun and be who you are, not what they want you to be.

Longevity, what do you feel has been the ultimate key to your success thus far? And, of course, what will continue to sustain you in this grueling business of music?

The key is being driven. I get it from my father. He was a person who didn’t accept NO for an answer. Between that motto and having a strategic team around you, it makes the process more easier. I’m blessed to have these things; without them I would’ve quit years ago! *Laughs*

Do you have any other outside/additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

Yes, acting and screenwriting. I took theater in college. I was on Hell’s Kitchen last year and I played a roll of a delivery girl. I gave them their next challenge. When they opened the paper, I rapped them the challenge as they read it. Also, I’m a voice on a cartoon called The Gooberz. I also wrote a play in college that did really well. I’m definitely going to explore this more in 2015.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip-Hop? And, even more specifically, women in rap, or the lack thereof?

Hip-Hop is great right now. You’re able to do it your way. There’s no formula and there’s no right or wrong. Women as of today are at an all time high in rap. It’s great for females more now than ever.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Biggie Smalls! He was and still is my favorite rapper. He was able to be himself and go against the odds. He kept it “player,” entertaining, lyrical and was a great storyteller. He had style and wore things then people are wearing now.

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

I’d play the Astrodome in Houston. Always been a dream of mine; my father used to take me to the games there as a kid. It’d be a great experience to sellout home at a monumental H-Town landmark.

One track of yours that you think defines you and why?

“Bucket Hat’z LO!” The song has a sexiness to it with one of my favorite verses I’ve written. My delivery and how I’m ridin’ the beat with the pounding drums and the smoothness of the hook. Play this record with your eyes closed and see where it takes you.

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?

No, we pretty much covered it.

Any “parting” word(s) for our readers?

Shoutout to all the Out Here Girlz, TK, J Hyphen, WoodysProduce and Aktive — LifeStyle EP coming soon…Yah!

@RavenSorvino