There's no need to dispute why Missouri has earned its name as the show me state. When one region can produce multiple chart-topping talents in a single genre of music alone, it would be difficult for anyone to contest the historical reasoning for the nickname. St Louis' home grown emcee Will Victory is prepared to back his city and prove that there's at least room for one more talent out of the Mizz. 

Being recognized as one of Hip Hop's biggest "Unsigned Hypes," Victory has a work ethic that serves as an unbreakable tool used for silencing his critics. With potential as promising as the term behind his name, Will Victory is ready to show the Hip Hop world who's Next 2 Blow.

Will Victory, thanks for taking a timeout to speak with us at Yo! Raps. I'm curious - where did the "Victory" in your name come from?

Everyone always asks me that same question. Victory is actually my government name. My real name is Will Victory [laughs].

Can you give Yo! Raps and newer fans some insight on your earlier years? How exactly did you discover your passion for music?

I've always loved music growing up. My father was a huge R&B, Jazz, as well as Soul music fan so I was influenced by different types of genres. Being from the Midwest and growing up in the late 80's/early 90's, I was introduced to West Coast rap first. I was into NWA, SCC, MC Eight, etc. More of gangster rap. As time passed I was introduced to a whole different side of hip-hop such as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Jay-Z, Nas, 2Pac, Common, as well as classic artists like BDP, Rakim, etc. I knew from the jump that music was always going to be a part of my life.    

Knowing that artists such as Nelly, St. Lunatics, and J-Kwon all came from your area, did it light a fire in you to push harder to be heard as a legit emcee?

Of course, when you see people from your area becoming successful in what you do, it inspires you to push harder for your dreams because you feel as if you are in the same boat. I personally appreciate the artists that came from my city and the ones who are coming up. With me being a lyricist it is harder for me to get ahead in my city but I can appreciate the grind because it made me the artist I am today.

While artists from your city were getting signed you did a lot of independent work. Understanding that the underground scene can hide talent at times, at what point did you realize that the music industry had finally begun to show you love?

I think the underground scene is where most of the true talent is at. I started to see more love in my city when I started being a part of my own movement (Spit N Envy). I really started promoting my brand and letting the streets /DJ's know what I was doing. With my music being so different from most other STL artists it started to stick out like sore thumb. I'm just doing me and being myself and people can see that and respect that on a real level. That's what creates real fans. 

It has been stated that you've had the chance to work with some big name DJ's and producers. What was it like getting word that some of these people wanted to work with you?

Hooking up with Ill Will and Rockstar was a good connect. I hit Will up and let him know about my whole movement and what I had going on and he was all for it. So I appreciate the love for him doing that. I also had an opportunity to meet with the head A&R at Aftermath Records and I had a chance to be in Dr. Dre's studio. Even though Dre didn't have time to sign a new artists because he was busy working on Detox, I still see the whole situation as a blessing. I'm real picky about the moves I make because I want to have a polished brand. Anytime anyone hears the name or sees the name Will Victory they know it will be good music and a quality product they're getting.

The net has your mixtapes everywhere. I recently heard some of your tracks - one I noticed in particular was Imma Be Herre. It seemed like you aimed to prove something to listeners. What drove you to create this track?

I wanted people to understand that you can be yourself and make the music you want to make without being forced to convert to what the industry is doing. So since I'm from St. Louis and I consider myself a spitter a lot of people want to hate. I had people telling me, "Man you should dumb it down, you're too lyrical." How the hell can you be too lyrical? That just blew me away because I thought it was great to be considered lyrical.  Emcees that I loved, from Jay-Z to Black Thought, are very lyrical. Lyrics are what can make or break a song. So I had to prove that on Imma Be Herre.

You are definitely being heard all over. One critic referred to you as a true example of the next generation in hip hop. Do you support that claim?

That's a great compliment, but I feel like I'm just being myself and doing me. If that's the title they give me then I'm cool with that [laughs]. I just really love making good music and I'm glad people are now starting to see what I've been doing for years. It's a blessing. It's so much more for me to do, so I won't be stopping anytime soon.

Can you tell Yo! Raps about what new projects you may be working on? Who we may see you in the studio with in the near future?

I'm just focused on pushing the mixtape (Spit N Envy Vol. 1) right now. I have started on Vol. 2 but I'm nowhere near finished. I have reached out to a couple artists and producers so you may see some great surprises on Vol. 2.

If you could get anybody on a song with you, who would it be?

That's a great question. I love so many artists... but right now, I would say Jay-Z and Eminem.

Is there anyway new fans of Will Victory can hear all of your released music?

Of course, you can hit my MySpace at myspace.com/willvictorymusic and get the whole mixtape for free as well as see what's going on with what I'm doing. Hit me up on twitter.com/will_victory or Facebook too.

Will, you've earned the opportunity to showcase your great talent to the world. What can you say to anyone reading - who has a dream of their own - about how to accomplish their goals?

Love what you are doing and never let anyone say you can't do it. Keep God first and always stay positive.

Any shout outs you have?

Shout out to Yo! Raps for giving me a chance to be heard. The whole St. Louis city, my team, Mike, Wade, Wade Jr., Stacey, CSR Management Group, My family, DJ Ill Will, DJ Rockstar, Tommie, anybody who was a part of Vol. 1 (Hakeem The Dream, Gena, Stevie Stone), Ronnie Notch, all the DJ's in STL and radio stations, all the underground emcees in my city. Keep doing ya thing, it's our time! Most of all... all my fans and supporters. I appreciate all the love! Peace and thanks.

- By Jovan Bland