Emily Unleashed shifts gears this week, featuring a guest from the art world. Josh Vietti, a violinist and music composer, shares his journey of blending classical violin with contemporary music genres like hip-hop. Emily covers his journey to music as a profession and digs into his creative process. 

Growing up passionate about music and playing violin, Josh received a scholarship with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, but didn’t consider it professionally until after trying out various jobs. Beginning with busking on the streets of Santa Monica, he eventually started selling homemade CDs and built up a fan base.

He eventually made a career of his music, playing gigs at Carnegie Hall, opening at NBA games, and working with some of the biggest names in pop music. His cover of 50 Cent’s In Da Club, and other hip hop songs helped explode his popularity.

Josh emphasizes the importance of formal training and mastering the basics of music, but relishes in the creative freedom he finds in blending it with beats and modern sounds. The conversation touches on the broader music industry trends, the evolution of streaming, and the challenges of making a living as an independent artist.

Overall, the interview highlights Josh Vietti’s innovative approach to music, blending genres, and navigating the changing landscape of the music industry as an independent artist.