Cinematic Flows | Terror Van Poo

INTERVIEW TERRELL “REALIFE” BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY EMILE’S CREATIONS

VALIDATED Magazine sits down with Terror Van Poo, a Bronx-born emcee whose love for hip-hop runs deep in his DNA. From the early days of park jams in the Bronx to creating cinematic rap soundtracks like Terror Van Wick, Terror Van Poo has stayed true to the culture while pushing his artistry into bold, new directions. With collaborations featuring Bernadette Price, Leanah Cane, Rass Kass, and production from legendary beatmaker Vinny Idol, he continues to redefine what it means to be a veteran in the game. In this exclusive interview, Terror Van Poo opens up about his earliest memories of hip-hop, his influences, creative process, and what fans can expect from his upcoming ninth album, Terror Van Putin.

VALIDATED: What is your earliest memory of hip-hop culture?

TERROR VAN POO: My earliest memory of hip-hop culture was during the early days when there were jams in the park in the Bronx. Watching the DJs set up the turntables and the big speakers, and seeing the crowd start to fill the park, gave me an incredible feeling of excitement.

It was something I knew I wanted to be a part of. It felt like one big party, with everyone you knew, along with people from other boroughs, all coming together to watch it go down.

VALIDATED: Which emcees have influenced your flow, and what—if anything—have you borrowed from them?

TERROR VAN POO: My influences include foundational rap artists such as Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Kool Moe Dee, Cold Crush Brothers, Kurtis Blow, Funky 4 + 1 More, Force MDs, and Fearless Four.

Attending park jams provided exposure to the genre and inspired me to begin writing, emphasizing the importance of originality.

VALIDATED: Earlier this year, you released an EP titled The Fifth Degree, featuring Bernadette Price, Leanah cane, Tons, and Camari, with production from CNR, Neff Beatz, and SDBX. How did this collaboration come together

TERROR VAN POO: The collaboration came together very easily because that’s my clique—the people I’ve always worked with, including the producers. Some you know, some you don’t, but I felt like this was the time for me to showcase something different to the game.

Oh, and shoutout to my man Jesse West on production.

VALIDATED: My favorite record off the project is “They Like When We Rhyme Together with you and Bernadette Price. What was the inspiration behind that track and how did it come together?

TERROR VAN POO: That was self-explanatory. When Bernadette and I heard the track that CNR Jaxx produced, it was a no-brainer because it had that genuine hip-hop sound we were drawn to.

The hook came together easily, since from the time Bernadette and I started making music, people always said how much they loved when we rhymed together. That saying stuck in my head, and it felt like the perfect time to bring it to life in the hook for this song.

For the icing on the cake, I had to get my man Tone Spliff on the cuts.

VALIDATED: The chemistry between you and Bernadette Price on wax is undeniable. How did the two of you first connect musically?

TERROR VAN POO: Bernadette Price and I first connected on a musical level through countless conversations about music and our shared passion for breaking down the game. These discussions deepened our understanding of each other’s approach and perspectives within hip-hop.

It was during one of those moments—when Bernadette rapped for me behind the scenes—that I realized just how talented she was. Her skills impressed me, and I knew immediately that I wanted to work with her in the studio. However, I also recognized the importance of making sure she felt comfortable in that environment so she could truly showcase her abilities.

By creating a space where she could be herself, I knew we’d be able to surprise everyone with what we were about to create together.

VALIDATED: Your recent album Terror Van Wick, produced entirely by Vinny Idol, carries a raw and authentic energy that feels rooted in both your personal story and your environment. Can you talk about the vision you had when you first started working on the project and what inspired the overall direction of the album?

TERROR VAN POO: The concept was to create a rap soundtrack inspired by the John Wick franchise. Our goal was to produce an energetic, action-oriented project infused with the unique style and creativity that characterizes our music.

VALIDATED: Every project has certain tracks that carry special weight for the artist. On Terror Van Wick, which record or records mean the most to you personally, and why? Were there any songs that came together in an unexpected way or surprised you once they were completed?

TERROR VAN POO: My track, “Surprise, Surprise,” was a song that surprisingly came out dope because it started off as a skit. There was no rhyming planned for the track, but as Vinny Idol continued to get creative with it, I thought, this is too fire not to add verses. That’s when Leanah Cane and I started writing and went directly to the booth.

VALIDATED: Which tracks from the album seem to be resonating most with your fans, and why do you think those particular songs are connecting?

TERROR VAN POO: That would definitely be “Click Clack” and “Ok Coral,” which embodied the direction we were going for. Every track is a scene from the movie Terror Van Wick, filled with action and excitement. Plus, the videos for these songs really connect with the fans, making them feel like they’re watching a scene from the movie.

VALIDATED: What is it like working with the legendary “King of Beats,” Vinny Idol?

TERROR VAN POO: We were friends before any of this. Vinny and I have known each other for over 20 years, and he has always allowed me to be a part of his creations in some way, shape, or form. We understand each other’s language—creatively and sonically—and we respect each other’s craft.

It’s dope to be able to work with one of the most talented producers in the game and call him a friend. Vinny has come a long way and continues to be in high demand.

VALIDATED: The resurgence of veteran emcees coming back in the game with new music, what is your thoughts on it?

TERROR VAN POO:  Listen, man, if you can do it right, then I’m all for it. There are a lot of veteran emcees who still have it in them; they know how to write to a new or different sound and still stay in the pocket. Longevity is not easy in this game, so I applaud that.

VALIDATED: What is your thoughts on mainstream media misrepresenting hip-hop culture? 

TERROR VAN POO: The larger hip-hop gets, the more people will try to discredit it. However, what I’m seeing is our culture being taken and repurposed as something new by people who do not support hip-hop but want the money and notoriety. What I will say is this: we cannot be stopped.

VALIDATED: What is next for Terror Van Poo?

TERROR VAN POO: Up next is my ninth album, Terror Van Putin, produced by Vinny Idol (the Dictator) and featuring Leanah Cane, Bernadette Price, Rass Kass, Tons, and Rachel Walker. The release date is scheduled for Thanksgiving 2025.

VALIDATED: What’s your social media contacts and website?

TERROR VAN POO:
Instagram:  Terror_Van_Poo
FaceBook:  Terror Van Poo Twitter:  TerrorVanPoo