Graffiti to Greatness: Rise of THE V!NZ

Hailey Bell
Jul 5
5 min read

Updated: Jul 6

Name: THE V!NZ

Title: Visual & Vocal Recording Artist

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Founder of: Calgreazy Records

Linktree: linktr.ee/thevinz1 In the vibrant core of Calgary, Alberta, one artist has been quietly building a legacy — word by word, beat by beat. His name is Vincent Woodlock, but in the Canadian hip-hop circuit, you’ll know him as THE V!NZ — a visual and vocal recording artist whose story is stitched with resilience, reinvention, and an unstoppable love for the craft.

Emerging from open mics and street cyphers, THE V!NZ stormed onto the scene in the early 2000s with raw energy and unfiltered lyricism that struck a chord across the Great White North. He didn’t just rap — he commanded the room. Audiences didn’t just listen — they felt every word.

🎙️ He’s opened for legends like Classified, Vinnie Paz, and Jeru the Damaja, performing from underground corners to spotlight stages with a fire that never let up.

But like many greats, THE V!NZ hit pause — stepping back for self-discovery, growth, and creative recalibration. That time away wasn’t a fade-out… it was a fuse being lit.

And now?

🔥 He’s back. With a sharpened pen, a clearer vision, and a deeper hunger. Four releases in, THE V!NZ is once again writing his next chapter — on his own terms.

🎧 New music is in the works.

🎤 Shows are stacking up. And the energy? Electric.

As he reclaims his place in hip-hop’s ever-evolving story, THE V!NZ stands as a reminder that greatness isn’t about trends — it’s about truth. About saying something real. About coming back stronger. About never letting the mic fall for good.

This is THE V!NZ — reborn, relentless, and ready.

💬 “The spotlight’s back — and I’m stepping into it, fully charged.”

“I gravitated to graffiti art. Then as my love for hip hop grew, I started putting my poems to music.”

🔥 THE PASSION

For THE V!NZ, the spark started early — passed down like a legacy.

“My dad was a singer and artist. He taught me how to draw when I was seven… so I guess music and art were always just in me.”

That foundation of creativity took root quickly. When he wasn’t grounded (which, he’ll admit, was often 😏), Vincent would dive into drawing, comics, and poetry — quietly building a world of his own. After his parents separated, those solo hours became his playground, and Ogden — his childhood home across from the train tracks — became his canvas.

🎤 “Now that my life holds space for it, I can finally give my passions the full attention they deserve.” — 🎤 *“Now that my life holds space for it, I can finally give my passions the full attention they deserve.”*

His first freestyles? Raw, makeshift, and full of soul. He’d rewind cassette tapes, rapping over the original verses until he found his flow — unknowingly developing a unique cadence that still defines his style today.

“I didn’t know what 16 bars were back then — I just wrote what I felt. And honestly, I think that’s what shaped my sound.”

It wasn’t long before friends started recognizing the talent. They encouraged him to keep going, and soon, they formed a small group and recorded their very first mixtape at James Fowler High School — just kids with an 8-track and a dream.

💪 What Keeps Him Going?

“When things get tough? I just remember how many people have believed in me.”

That support — from friends, fans, and the community — is fuel. And it’s clear: THE V!NZ isn’t just chasing a dream… he’s honoring every person who ever saw his light, even when he couldn’t.

“It’s like being on the outside looking in.”

🇨🇦 COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE

For THE V!NZ, being a Canadian creative means more than location — it means perspective.

Coming up in Calgary, surrounded by a different rhythm, a different kind of struggle, THE V!NZ has always known that Canadian hip-hop has its own stories to tell — stories of resilience, grit, and survival that often go unheard on the global stage.

“Our trials, our tribulations — they’re different. And they matter.”

As a visual and vocal artist, he’s not just contributing to the culture — he’s expanding it. Sharing narratives shaped by Western Canada, grounded in truth, and driven by a deep sense of identity. Whether it’s through his lyrics, his visuals, or his comeback journey, he’s putting Canadian creativity on the map — in his own unapologetic way. 🚀 BUILDING THE DREAM

“I’ve made million-dollar memories on a one-topping pizza budget.”

For THE V!NZ, the journey is the achievement. From the underground grind to unforgettable moments on stage, every handshake, freestyle, and lyric has been a brick in the foundation of something bigger. He’s opened for legends. Shared stages with icons. And even shook hands with the Godfather of Hip Hop himself — Kool Herc.

But for THE V!NZ, the real victory runs deeper than any single show.

🎤 “I’ve been sober for 3.5 years now. Coming from addiction and the street life, just being here — present, focused, and building — that’s everything.” This next chapter isn’t just about music. It’s about business. It’s about growth. It’s about setting goals with clarity — and chasing them with conviction.

🔥 “As trippy as it sounds, I feel like this is only the beginning. Now that I’m taking this more seriously, I’ve got a whole new vision — and I’m aiming higher.” For THE V!NZ, building the dream isn’t a destination — it’s a daily decision. And he’s making it every damn day. 🤝 NETWORKING SPOT

🎤 "I respect those who’ve built something lasting — and I’m ready to build alongside them." — 🎤 *"I respect those who’ve built something lasting — and I’m ready to build alongside them."*

When it comes to dream collabs, THE V!NZ isn’t playing small.

“I’d love to work with Bryan Adams, Tegan & Sara, Classified, RedOne of the Rascalz, Snak The Ripper, or Merkules.”

Why? Because these artists represent something real — longevity, lyricism, and the power to move people. From iconic songwriting to raw street grit, each one brings a different piece of Canadian culture to the table — and THE V!NZ is ready to match that energy.

Whether it’s a cross-genre experiment or a bar-for-bar anthem, he’s not just looking to collaborate — he’s looking to connect with artists who understand the hustle, the heart, and the history behind the music.

🎯 CLOSING

What’s next for THE V!NZ? A whole new level. With new music on the way, he’s stepping further into the public eye — building his fan base, growing his email list, and even upgrading his education to level up all sides of the game.

He’s not just creating — he’s creating with intention.