Anything but a normal child by society's standards, V entered this world of humble beginnings in 1977 in a poverty stricken but loving household. Coming from a family with a deep entrenchment in the music and movie business mother, Stephanie Smith, a singer in a Rhythm and Blues group who performed on The Ed Sullivan Show and Ted Macks Amateur Hour - older brother, Stephen Herd, known as rap artist Mack Tha Jacka - cousin, the legendary Curtis Mayfield - cousin, gospel vocalist Leatha Warfield, who sang with Sister Rosetta Tharpe - cousin, gospel vocalist Vanessa Bell Armstrong - and cousin, actor Julian Mayfield would prove to be a guiding light for V to continue his family's legacy. Aspiring to many things as a child, V found solace in video games, comic books and music to escape the harsh realities of daily life. Whilst other kids were merely learning the basics of ABC's, V not only had a full grasp on the structure of grammar, but used it to feed his hungering mind for vast amounts of knowledge. Enrolled in an accelerated school for Arts and Sciences, V was able to mold his gift into something that would carry him forth into the world of music with unequaled distinction. www.thesiniverse.com