It’s not every day one finds a Bay Area rapper who prefers hand-rolled cigars and bleeds orange and blue for the New York Knicks. But Vese, born Jason Anthony, isn’t concerned with expectations.
A Bronx native now living in Oakland, Vese’s music reflects the duality of his upbringing: the golden-era boom-bap of East Coast hip-hop colliding with the realities of present day Bay Area life. His lyrics are both introspective and braggadocious, delivered with the poise of someone who has studied the craft obsessively.
On May 23, he drops his debut album, The Enigma in the Bathrobe. The album is the culmination of his journey growing up in the Bronx and relocating to the Bay Area at 19. Now, with a few years of fatherhood under his belt, Vese is ready to bring his voice and vision to a wider audience.
The Bronx and its cultural influence
“The Bronx is like a culture hub. A lot came out of the Bronx,” Vese said.
Coming from Puerto Rican and Italian roots, Vese grew up immersed in the rich cultural mix of Gun Hill. That exposure later shaped his artistic style. He credits his grandfather with introducing him to a wide range of music that still influences his sound today.
“My grandfather grew up in the Bronx. Music was such a big part of his life. He put me on to Santana,” he said. “I didn’t know until moving to the Bay Area that Santana was from the Mission. It was kind of sentimental for me because my grandfather passed in 2019.”
Vese began writing raps at just eight years old, and his father introduced him to Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest and Cypress Hill. He occasionally jumped into freestyle battles as a kid but mostly kept his talents private.
Regional comparisons and artistic style
“When I first landed in the Bay Area, my first apartment was in Central Richmond, right by BART,” he said. “I quickly found out that I had moved from the Bronx to the Bronx of the Bay.”
He sees similarities between the grit of the Bronx and the energy of the Bay. But Oakland, he notes, is undergoing a creative evolution.
“I think Oakland right now is in a bit of a renaissance,” he said. “I have a lot of close friends who are doing music and are painters. And it’s just been really exhilarating to watch everybody level up.”
Debut album and musical vision
In 2024, Vese released a five-track EP, Bewitched, which led to a coast-to-coast U.S. tour. His debut album, The Enigma in the Bathrobe, consists of 13 tracks and features artists like Mani Draper, Fresh Daily and Versâam. Notable songs include “Butter Knife,” “Giuseppe” and “Steve Francis.”
The opening track, “Butter Knife,” features Oakland rapper Ammbush. Vese said the beat felt like a soundtrack to his life.
“It’s a very cinematic and beautiful beat, but also a bit melancholy,” he said.
On “Steve Francis,” Vese delivers a smooth, confident performance over a laid-back, West Coast-inspired beat. He uses a relaxed yet purposeful flow, weaving clever basketball metaphors with themes of ambition and growth. It’s a vibe-heavy track that blends braggadocio and storytelling effortlessly.
“Giuseppe” rides a moody, hypnotic beat that sets the tone for a gritty, self-assured narrative. The lyrics are sharp, and the production offers space for the emotion to breathe.
Throughout the album, Vese demonstrates that his music extends beyond surface-level flexing. He shows vulnerability, touching on subjects such as loved ones battling addiction and the tragic loss of a close friend—topics he admits he’s still learning to open up about.
“It’s easier to talk about the nice and flashy things I have and the cool things that I’m doing in life,” he said. “But I do think that there’s a time and a place to touch on real issues, and it’s very necessary.”
There’s confidence in Vese, but it’s earned. He’s not chasing trends or viral hits. He’s building a catalog, telling his story, and paying homage to the people and places that shaped him. From Gun Hill to the Bay, Vese isn’t just bridging coasts. He’s connecting generations.
Release party for ‘The Enigma in the Bathrobe,’ Friday, May 23 at 7pm, 3319 Marché, 3319 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Visit @nyc.vese on Instagram for more info.
