Vital is a Canadian rapper from Winnipeg. He is also described as an indie singer-songwriter, and his work is associated with experimental, dancehall, reggae, indie and rap styles.

Born Duranta D. Cook, he is raised by his mother, Theresa McCall, alongside his sister Shalon. He first performs at the age of six in a local church play, “The Return of The Messiah”, where he sings and acts. A year later, when he is seven, his mother is shot but survives, and the family moves to Chicago to stay with relatives and friends. He moves between Chicago and California until he is twelve, when he returns to California for junior high school.

Before pursuing a solo career, he wants to work behind the scenes in music, writing and recording demos for other Bay Area artists. After encouragement from people he meets, he releases two EPs in hip hop and R&B. He then begins recording his first solo album in the summer of 2008, aiming to make music that reflects himself more closely.