Last night, Kelly's Olympian hosted a hip-hop show to benefit Planned Parenthood. 100% of the profits from the $6 cover charge were donated to the cause.
The impressive lineup included Rob Sonic, DJ Zone, Vytell, BloodMoney, St. Fantasy, and MCF (of Obese Ghost Children). While all acts performed from the heart at this intimate downtown venue, Vanessa Tello, AKA Vytell, fucking killed it.
Vytell at Kelly's Olympian from Claire Holley on Vimeo.
Tello performed an awesome set, despite being sick and nearly canceling her appearance at the last minute. As soon as she hit the stage, I could tell there was something special about this LA-born, McMinville-raised rapper (her family moved to Oregon when she was five). Her style is unique and she transitions effortlessly from dropping bars to delivering soulful vocals. "Naturally, thats what happens. I enjoy both,” she says. Her song "Game Over" (about guys sliding in her DMs despite having a boyfriend) was equally hilarious and honest.
“That was fire!" a woman in the audience shouted after the song ended. “That's cause it was the truth!" Tello responded.
Tello got into rapping because of her brother, who is also an emcee. He basically said, if it’s so easy, you try. So she did. That was only seven years ago. While she doesn’t have a long history of experience rapping, her undeniable talent has launched her into the Portland hip-hop spotlight.
In 2015, she organized and participated in an all-female cypher that also included Alia Zin, Karma Rivera, and Blossom. The resulting video gained Tello exposure and connections to other Portland emcees. Since then, she's gone back and forth between Portland and LA, but currently holds it down in McMinville.
Tello describes her style as “Like Sade and Kanye had a child.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.