VIBZ's Houston Music Roots: A Journey of Transformation and Resilience

Houston’s rich musical heritage has produced iconic artists, and VIBZ—an independent artist born and raised in the city—seeks to carry on that legacy with his raw and authentic sound. Known for his Southern drawl, punchy lyrics, and real-life narratives, VIBZ has released his latest single, which is now available on all platforms. This release stands as a testament to his personal transformation, blending the influence of Houston’s deep music roots with his own life experiences.

VIBZ, born Joshua Keen, grew up in Houston, Texas, a city that has played a pivotal role in shaping his life and music. From a young age, VIBZ found himself on the wrong side of the law, spending his teenage years running the streets and entangled in the judicial system. But his life took a turn when he was incarcerated for a 10-year prison sentence. During this challenging time, VIBZ made a conscious decision to turn his life around, earning a college degree and finding solace in music as an outlet to cope with his daily struggles.

Music has become a lifeline for VIBZ, allowing him to share the raw and unfiltered emotions that shaped his life. His journey is not just about beats and rhythms—it’s about personal growth, transformation, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Collaborations, Influences, and the Evolution of VIBZ Houston Music

VIBZ’s musical style is a direct reflection of his experiences growing up in Houston, a city known for its unique sound and culture. Influenced by Southern legends like UGK, DJ Screw, and the Ghetto Boys, VIBZ incorporates the city's iconic dirty south style into his music, blending it with his personal stories of hardship and redemption. “Houston music culture, with its diamond grills, candy paint, and drank, has always been a major influence in my life. Growing up around it, plus my experiences on the streets and in prison, gave me a lot to say through my music,” VIBZ shares.

His music doesn’t just stand on its own—it’s deeply collaborative. VIBZ has worked with well-known Houston artists such as Lil Keke, PyRexx, and K-Rino, as well as producers like Bruce Bang and Sypreme. These collaborations have helped shape his unique sound, and his recent single “I-45” is a heartfelt tribute to his late music partner and producer, Xplicit Truth (Kyle). The music video for “I-45,” directed by John Goudeau, holds special significance as it features Xplicit’s children rapping his part in the video, adding an emotional layer to the track. This moment not only honored a close friend and collaborator but also highlighted VIBZ’s deep connection to the people who helped him along his journey.

From Hardship to Hope: VIBZ Houston Music Journey

Despite the challenges life has thrown his way, VIBZ continues to use music as an outlet for self-expression and personal growth. His song "All My Heart" is a perfect example of this, written during a time when he was at his lowest. After losing his business and suffering a serious neck injury in a car accident, VIBZ turned to music to release the raw emotions he was feeling. Featuring artists SORIpm and PyRexx, "All My Heart" is one of his most personal projects, demonstrating the vulnerability and resilience that define his music.

VIBZ’s journey is one of perseverance, faith, and dedication. He strives to share a message of hope through his songs, encouraging his listeners never to give up, no matter where they come from or what they’ve been through. He believes that with hard work, faith, and belief in oneself, anything is possible. “I want people to know that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to, no matter the circumstances,” says VIBZ.

With four albums ready to release over the next year, VIBZ has plans to continue. He’s committed to pushing his music to a broader audience, lining up tour dates, and ultimately landing a record deal to take his career mainstream. His goals are clear, and his work ethic is unwavering. For VIBZ, this is just the beginning of what promises to be a powerful journey.

Stay tuned for more from VIBZ, and follow him on Instagram to get the latest updates on his music and journey. Don’t forget to listen to his latest single.

102.5 KDON