About Metropolis Binocular (Released 2017)

The latest Album Metropolis Binocular by Von Vargas is some of Von's most transparent work to date. It features the woes of childhood in underprivileged environments, losing family members to the trap "Oceans Fade", with honest and heartfelt lyrics.

The album is well balanced with "Thought Provoking" and "Introspective" songs such as "Red Lips", "Cry A Tear", and "One Thing". Expressions that are reminiscent of growing up such as the title song: "My Metropolis" and "Fit Out". Other songs like "Frozen Cupz", "Penned Pola" and "Good Day" pay homage to urban life while helping to change one's outlook on it. "Symphonious Maxim" reveals Von's vital points of life as he declares his thoughts of wanting to give up on his dreams.

All in all Metropolis Binocular is a solid piece of work.

Link to Album: https://music.apple.com/us/album/metropolis-binocular/1237312213

Tracklist:

1 Last Shall Be First (feat. Marijah)
2 Penned Pola
3 Frozen Cupz (feat. Naimah)
4 Oceans Fade
5 No Wins
6 My Metropolis (feat. Naimah & Bryan Davis)
7 Symphonious Maxim
8 Look Up
9 Concrete (Still I Rise) [feat. Michael J.R. & Fairin Moon]
10 Fit Out
11 Good Day (feat. Dre Thompson)
12 One Thing (feat. HTK)
13 Cry A Tear (feat. Sho)
14 Red Lips

 ALL Songs In This Portion are Co-Written, Recorded, Mixed, and Co-Produced by VON VARGAS.
All Videos are either Shot or Co-Shot & Edited by VON VARGAS


About 3220: The Soundtrack to Baltimore City College (Released 2019)



A collective group of “City Knights” spearheaded and executive produced by recording artist, and City alumnus, Von Vargas, will raise money through new album ‘3220: The Soundtrack (to Baltimore City College)’.  Proceeds from this album will provide college scholarship awards for students pursuing music in the entertainment field who graduate from Baltimore City College. The album is dedicated to celebrating the heritage of Baltimore City College and is set to release in Fall 2017.

“3220” is named after the address of Baltimore City College (BCC), and its development was cultivated
by Von Vargas, along with the great help of other BCC alumni listed here: BenJamin Banger, Michael
Miller, Josh Lay, Lee Mo, Rufus Roundtree, Kia Miller, The Boy Blesst, Kidd Savage, and Sheri Booker.

“Creating this body of work is something that has never been done before in the 177 years of
Baltimore City College.” - Von Vargas


 Album Available Here: https://3220thesoundtrack.bandcamp.com


Tracklist:

1 Castle On The Hill

2 Rings To The Sky

3 Get Acquainted

4 On The Wall

5 Knight In Shining Armor

6 Get Up Knights

7 One and All (City Forever)

8 Good Knight

9 We Will Not Be Defeated



Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved  Executive Producer: Von Vargas // Associate Producers: Josh Lay, Mike Miller BenJamin Banger 
Album Recorded and Mixed by Von Vargas at CD Studios, Baltimore, Md. 
Castle On The Hill Recorded and Mixed by Joshua Lay 
Album Mastered by Randy Leroy at Tonal Park Studios Takoma Park, Md 
Artwork & Design by Shuna Smith for Crea+ive Development Studios 
For more info about Project 3220 and Affiliated Artists: [email protected] 
For more info about The Baltimore City College visit www.baltimorecitycollege.us 
For more info about The Baltimore City College Alumni Association visit  www.cityforever.org 
For more info on Von Vargas visit  www.vonvargas.com

About The Album

One of the Oldest Markets in the World now becomes Hip Hop's latest Inspiration.

Von Vargas is the first to title an album after Baltimore's historic downtown market. World Famous Lexington Market. Von's Album World Famous Lexington Market takes an affectionate, but never saccharine look at Vargas' hometown, with tracks like "Maryland Crab" and "Hippodrome", says A Shipley of  'City Paper's Rap Sheet'.

When asked "Why the title?" Von answers, "Lexington Market is one of the longest running markets in the world, and that;s huge to me; to live here and have this place right at our disposal...I think that's insane!" He also states, "people normally go to the market to get their food substance, and since my music is substance too I believe the title fits World Famous Lexington Market."

Von Vargas addresses drug trafficking on the "One Last Trip" track, which is an in depth composition of a young lady describing her last trip before getting caught. The album consist of production from Banga Bill, Skillz, and Von Vargas, as well as features from The Boy Blesst, Ronika, J. Johnson, and Preme. World Famous Lexington Market can be streamed in it's entirety @ https://lexingtonmarket.bandcamp.com/


Tracklist:

1 Top to Bottom

2 Maryland Crabs

3 Shalom ft. Supreme Glory

4 So Cold ft. Ronika

5 One Last Trip (Interlude) ft. Trina

6 That Good Good

7 Rise ft. The Boy Blesst

8 Break Bread ft. J. Johnson

9 No Intro ft. Jimmy Swaggar

10 Lil Slick'em

11 Down In Maryland ft. Chinko and Riff Raff






Commentary from Von Vargas on World Famous Lexington Market:

When I was a child I would always be so excited to go to Lexington Market. I know I'm not the only one...especially when u lived blocks up the street from it. Lexington Market is one of the oldest standing markets in the world! This was my way to be proud of my heritage in my hometown. 
Shalom is a crazy one featuring Preme... this one started it all off! One of my favorite lines is "give em milk like I'm Chick Fila's poster Cow" 

Maryland Crabs is a song that's very truthful and honest about Maryland...Maryland Crabs are just not in Md. they are everywhere around the world! Tell me that you ain't never want what another have.!!!! 

Break Bread is a joint featuring J. Johnson...it's one of those funk soul songs spitters will love and ladies will love it too. 

So Cold is one of my favs featuring Ronika...it's turns the whole vibe of the album to something special, and just a lil emotional. 

Rise prod by Skillz is a collab featuring Blesst...its an song about empowerment and conquering regardless of the obstacles etc. Any one can take it and make it their own anthem. 

"Hippodrome" prod. by Banga Bill is another favorite. The Hippodrome years ago was a movie theater where for the first time I saw the movie Purple Rain. A classic movie if u love music.

credits

released October 26, 2012 

Copyright 2012 Major Influence 
Executive Producer: Von Vargas (L. Smith)  www.vonvargasmusic.com 
Album Producers: Von Vargas, Skillz, Banga Bill, 
Project Manager: Hennither Bianca Cole 
Graphic Design: Shuna Smith (www.creativedevelopmentstudios.com)

Ronika appears courtesy of Major Influence 
The Boy Blesst appears courtesy of Reign Music 
Supreme Glory appears courtesy of Marathon 
J. Johnson appears courtesy of Salvation Army Music Group

Von Vargas hosts ‘In My Own Lane’ with Special Guests, Grammy Nominated Carolyn Malachi & Philadelphia's own, Japhia Life, in Washington D.C. (September 20, 2016) – ‘In My Own Lane’ is a LIVE curated concert experience hosted by recording artist, Von Vargas, that will take place October 21, 2016 from 8-11 PM at the Baltimore Motor House. This premier concert will showcase talented recording artists that have cultivated their own lanes in the music industry. The audience is given the opportunity to engage with artists, producers, music industry executives, and more.

Recording Artist Von Vargas will perform his music for guests, along with GRAMMY-nominated artist, Carolyn Malachi, and Philadelphia's own, Japhia Life, former recording artist with Sony Music. A meet and greet for performers, VIPs and Media will take place at 7 p.m.

During the concert, three dynamic, creative professionals will be honored for their creativity in the music industry. Honorees include producer, Mr. Wendel Patrick, entertainment public relations extraordinaire; Ms. Candice Mackel; and musician, Mr. Rufus Roundtree. ‘In My Own Lane’ was birthed to be a platform for artists who are charting their own lane.

“Being in the industry for years, I’ve seen dope artists who don’t fit the “norm”, so they may not get the same exposure given to the next artist who does. So, I feel it’s my duty to advocate for artists who create fearlessly, contrary to the norm.”-Von Vargas

This project/content here is a quick selection of some of Von Vargas' favorite  interviews at some radio stations, internet stations and podcasts. Also times of inspiring others at Howard University, Georgetown University, and Metropolis Binocular Listening Lounge. 

Here are some video clips, a pic and cell footage of  Von Vargas on intimate stages performing his music or hip hop cover options. 

Some brief snippets  of Von Vargas in some of his recording studio sessions. Also a few Pics in studio as well.

Here are some full music videos from Von Vargas. All Videos are co-shot and edited by Von Vargas. Von feels that it's extremely important to put cinematic visuals to his musical works. The hope is that fans would connect with each musical peice in their own special way. Please Enjoy!

Here are a few quick snapshots of Von Vargas in the music community throughout his music journey. Whether here on the Eastcoast or across the country on the Westcoast, Von has devoted his life to impacting, and inspiring others through music. Because of this Von has often spent time doing musical performances,  Djing  live and or curating music opportunities such as playlist and events for emerging talent, sharing resources, information and wisdom through various panel discussions,  fighting for creators rights on Capitol Hill, consulting for other musicians/music creators, and more. 

This project consists of a group of Social Awareness Visuals and/or Brief Public Service Announcements, which are written, filmed, directed, produced, and edited by Von Vargas. These pieces of work are created in collaboration with a few afterschool and/or summer enrichment programs.

Each script was written by Von Vargas, following the information received via group discussions, along with input from the social media enrichment students.

‘Social Media’ is an enrichment class presented by Von Vargas through his umbrella company, Creative Development Studios.