Today, we sat down with our artist N.A.K.O. for an interview. Here is what they had to say:
1. How has your hometown shaped who you are as a musician today?
My hometown shaped me as a musician by its authenticity and creativity of a wave that is forever lived which is screw (R.I.P Screw) Screw music was created in my hometown S.L.A.B which is slow loud and banging for those who don’t know that is a car tricked out to the fullest even if it’s a hoopty with 12’s and rims it’s considered a slab but my hometown shaped me as a musician from my surroundings I grew up off homestead in scenicwood on Yoe Street in the back I use see stuff like candy apple red slabs sky blue lacs with a fifth wheel all type of things you wouldn’t see on a car or you think you wouldn’t see we idolized those things hustled to get it was the motivator you would hear loud music like S.U.C Swishahouse color changing click lil flip all them coming from the cars we was aspired by that you wasn’t nothing if you didn’t have that or knew someone who did that was my motivation because beyond all that in my mind the music spoke out.
2. If you could single out one artist or band that has influenced you, who would that be and why?
I would definitely say weezy, Wayne, Tunechi Y? You asked because he’s most definitely talented gifted and real hiphop legend I never seen anyone get the awards he’s got in rap and hiphop alone and to this day he’s still going still surpassing and breaking down barriers for hiphop. He has influenced me in more ways than one he crossed over to rock and merged it with hiphop and was still winning from his punchlines to his metaphors from him being young rich black and successful and still going to college to succeed he’s smart he’s more than hiphop and I admire that about him so therefore he has influenced me.
3. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what is the first thing you would buy?
Land property stocks bonds and my freedom from my reality I want to get out from under my situation to a better one I want to look out the window and see hills and a lake and just the sky I want to not have watch my stuff so with that being said I would improve my situation then give to others to help them do something that they’re unable to do for themselves.
4. What is your advice to fellow underground musicians in regards to remaining discipline in your craft?
I would say keep your eyes on what you desire let that first determine you to push and let the desire motivate you I sing my song I can’t lose I was going through a rough patch with a few close people and wrote about only that situation and turned it into a song and I just say those 3 words I can’t lose when I feel like giving up or get down and discouraged. You know that you got a talent you know what you foreseen so keep going 2pac (keep your head up).
5. Do you have any songwriting or recording tips you’d like to share?
Just a few that I am sure the artist are aware of but for those who are fresh in the music I would say write your music make sure your comfortable your surroundings is where you want be and write make sure your comfortable with it and it fits you as a person memorize and be confident when your in the recording room and just have fun with it listen to your music in the headphones over & over while in the studio to make sure you didn’t forget anything or you want to add something or the ad libs ain’t all the way on point and just to make sure it suits you.
6. How does your family and close friends feel about your music career? Have they always been supportive or have there been issues in the past?
I can say some of my family been supportive & the rest just them but that’s about all I want to say on that.
7. If you could open up for one famous artist or band, who would that be and why?
Lil Wayne no doubt why because he’s versatile from back then to now things has changed from then to now and he blends right in and kill it every time plus he’s wise and talented he’s talented.
8. If you could have a dinner with one musician who is no longer living, who would that be and why?
Michael Jackson why because you can put on his music and a kid would know his song he was beyond legendary I still listen to I wanna rock with you to this day I’ll jam that but ima old soul Michael Jackson wrote music for everyone they think they want to say was great his music still lives on for real for real.
9. In your time with LiquidSound Records, what is the number one thing you have enjoyed the most? Also, what is your advice to those artists who would be interested in joining the roster in the future?
With LSR, I enjoy the consistency constantly giving us work that will benefit us and enhance our music career and actually caring about where we go in our career and we have access to our manager. The advice I give is to have patience and be ready to work focused and determined to get the job done of course they understand your personal life and work just make sure to stay on top of things.
10. In ten years, where do you see your music career?
Still rapping and performing doing tours advancing in clothing start up acting and branching off into different fields expanding & utilizing my different gifts I have.