Little Vic may have been affiliated with big names in music in the past, but the 27-year-old MC is just getting started.

Raised in Long Island, N.Y., Little Vic (born Victor Orena III) released an EP in April, "Each Dawn I Die," via his own independent label, Orena Records, and distributed by Fat Beats. The album featured the likes of DJ Premier, Kool G Rap and Buckwild. He's also appeared on mixtapes by G-Unit's DJ Whoo Kid, DJ Woogie and DJ Eclipse, among others.

Now, Little Vic, who still runs Orena and heads his own street and production teams, is prepping the release of his as-yet-untitled upcoming album, slated to drop by year's end.

So far he's worked with Buckwild and his in-house team on the set, which features such tracks as "Fugitive" and "War Kills Us." "I'm still considering the direction I want to go in with this album, but I do have over 200 songs sitting in my computer right now. So, we have lots of options," he says. Consequently, a mixtape consisting of some of the leftover tracks will be released ahead of the album.

Later this year, Little Vic hopes to join a college tour. He is also shopping for a major-label and distribution deal and looks forward to signing artists to his label. In addition, Little Vic plans on delving into movie scoring sometime down the line.

"I definitely want to be recognized as a producer and as an MC, separately," he adds. "I'm a strong believer in releasing what I feel and not for other people. I don't make music to conform and fit in, I make it because I think it's hot and I identify with it."