When it comes to Hip Hop in any form of the genre, Philadelphia is pretty much one of the front running areas of the world where skills are regularly elevated and certain artists excel. None more so in my opinion than Nico The beast, who has written a whole range of music to date with different topics, emotions, skills, techniques & to add, is a pretty down to earth person to say the least. With that said, its my pleasure to conduct this interview, let's not waste anymore time and get right into it.
Mysti: So, its great to have you sharing your insights now, first off, obviously your artist alias is Nico The Beast, is there any other variations, a seperate alias or certain alter-ego if you will that people should be looking out for?
Nico: First, I'd like to thank you for this interview and the awesome introduction. Means a lot to be put in the upper echelon of Philly Hip Hop cause it is a breeding ground for some of the dopest emcees to ever spit. Second, shouts to the UK for being a powerhouse in hip hop in recent years and for reaching across the pond to work with some artists over here.
Ok, to answer the first question I have a couple aliases at the current time. One is Memory Lang. A play off Memory Lane but adding Lang instead. Clubber Lang is a character from Rocky 3 (played by Mr. T.) who was brutal in and out of the ring. Spoke his mind and backed his words up. So my bro Distant Starr of MAGr (a stellar hip hop duo from Camden) thought that "Lang" was more fitting. I agreed.
Another alias is "The Commissioner". Starting and creating the "30 And Over League" gave me an opportunity to do something great with my brothers and also some of my favorite artists I've ever come across. It's not everyday you get to make music and rock stages with some of the greatest talents ever to touch a mic. I got lucky and I'm blessed to be a part of something this great.
Mysti: Indeed, now the pleasantries are out of the way... So let's get to business lol.
Being a rapper from Philly surely you must be compared or seen in the same limelight as other artists, who would you say is your favourite Hip Hop artist (or artists) from Philly? And if you would be ok to be seen in the same light as who would that be?
Nico: Philly is a melding pot of talent. A LOT of talent has come to light in the past few years. Younger crews like CORFU/Shed Jam and older crews like ours are now parallel in the sense that there isn't a clear divide because of age. We trying to destroy the stigma that age defines talent: old = outdated and unknowing of current trend and young = wet behind the ears and don't know the ways of the world. That outlook hampers the creativity of a scene cause youngens need ole heads to teach and ole heads need youngens to listen. There's a good bunch of rappers from Philly. Some sound like others. Some created the mold that others emulate. But the greats are undeniable as such and those artists know who they are. My favorite artists at present are 2ew Gunn Ciz, B. Kane, Slim Dsm, Al Mighty (the other half of MAGr and currently in the League) Xap aka Jawnzap (League), Rec Raw (League & Papi & Paisano), Blessa (League), Microphone Tone (League), Crisis (League), M.O.G. and D.A.M.E. of Triple Nickelz, Goody Gunz (check out Datpiff for all his mixtapes), Doe-Boy Philly, PT, BAU, Fel Sweetenberg, Baby Blak, Lawrence Arnell, Shyste Kronkite, Ill of Writes, Adlib, Outerspace, Dead Rabbits (Taboo, Nightwalker, Coal Cash, etc.), Reef, Capo, Skrewtape, Rich Quick, ASK?, and Jots Shed Jam (check out Courtesy Flush. Shit is amazing.)
There's definitely more but these dudes are personal favorites cause they rap better than most but they humble and genuine people. That's all that matters in the long run. Nobody likes douchebaggery.
Mysti: Do you feel that being from Philly has helped you musically? Or made things more of a fight?
Nico: Being from Philly always helps but it also creates the fight. It toughens you up because it's a rough city and its inhabitants are some of the realest people on earth. So that helps especially when you a hip hop artist cause where and when I grew up, if you were wack in a cypher lets just say you wouldn't approach another cypher circle with the same approach. Hahaha! But Philly has always been New York's little brother so that creates the fighter mentality. The internal struggle to outdo the shadow that's casted by what most consider to be the Mecca of hip hop. You know?
Mysti: You have created many different sounds and visions for your projects, for those who don't know, could you please name them and share the links where people could listen/buy said music.
Nico: No Beast So Fierce
Feed The Beast
Dinner Is Served Vol. 1
The Beast Within
True To Form w/ Eric Vanderslice
Dinner Is Served Vol. 2
H.O.M.E. coming soon.
Any and all of my music can be heard and/or purchased at nicothebeast.bandcamp.com ... My whole life is in my music. Any situation you hear on a track has at one point or another existed and manifested itself in real life. Most of those situations I wish never happened but as an artist you understand the internal struggle. The need to release the toxic in your mind before it's too late. At 3am on any given night my mind is a haunted house of thoughts better not thought of. Music helped me exorcise some of those ghosts. Most people that hear my music think I'm just telling stories, but they undoubtedly have all happened. When they realize that, the music takes a different weight. My latest project "H.O.M.E. - How One Man Existed" is definitely following those same guidelines.
Mysti: Dinner Is Served Vol 2, is one of your latest projects which contained various mainstream instrumentals as well as original production & various collaborations, one of them being Vanderslice who appears quite often on your projects, do you have any other favourite or "go-to" producers who you will look to first for future Albums?
Nico: Vanderslice is by far one of the realest people I've met in this music shit. I've had Slice production on every single project I've done in the past 5 years. Other producers I've worked with are all cats that I consider family but also that I've built a catalog with. Loyalty still matters in this world especially to good people. My producer list consists of Tucky Beats, Nachural, Edd Bundy, Rawthreat, JuicedUp Beats, Kornswagger, Samik the Symphony, Rhythm J, Stupid Genius, PG750, Thought Product, Doe-Boy Philly, Appetite, Untytled, Payday Jones, Rob Devious, ASK?, SuperVillain, and my brother Michael "Noochman" Zarrella who passed away in 2011 but I use his production on every project until the day I meet 'em again.
Mysti: In your words, which release of yours has been your favourite to put together and for what reasons?
Nico: H.O.M.E. is my favorite and the League album is a close second. H.O.M.E. is almost 4 years in the making. Adding and subtracting to try and make the ultimate picture. It's got everything on it. It'll definitely be my best work to date.
The 30 And Over League album is like being a part of RZA sessions while he was constructing Wu Tang Forever. Not saying we're like Wu, but I can bet that process is similar to our process or the process to make an AOTP album. It's not often you get to work with high caliber artists every day on an album.
My favorite released album is The Beast Within. My personal favorite because it is my life on beats. Literally anything that happened in that time frame is on that album.
Mysti: Now, 30 and Over League is a name you are thoroughly associated with, what is it about? And how did it get started?
Nico: About a year and a half ago I thought up the idea to start a brand and supergroup that doesn't separate the industry. In this industry they define you by how young you look. 35 year old artists are pitched to the public as 25 year olds. I hate that fact so I thought of a way to eliminate the stigma. "30 And Over League" removes the question "How old are you?" because the name says it but doesn't define it. You know?
After I thought of the name the next step was getting other like minded individuals to be involved. It was only supposed to be one project. But it took shape and had a life of its own, mainly because the people I asked to be involved all believed the mission statement: Teach the youth how to do things right. I feel like the younger generation of today lacks the guidance and wisdom of their old heads. When I was growing up I had old heads that schooled me to the ways of the world. That's what we here to do. I ain't shit without my brothers and sisters. But that's what the League is all about. A family trying to show the way. Thank God for my sister Jeanette aka Lady J. She's a vital part of why I stay motivated and inspired. Also a major reason why the League exists.
Mysti: Hopefully there is a 30 and Over League album/mixtape to come in 2015, any info you can share on that subject?
Nico: Yes there is! And also solo projects from a few of the members! Blessa is almost finished "Poor Man's Copy" which is an amazing project. Al Mighty is finishing up "The L.I.F.T." album also known as "Agony of Deceit". Crisis working on solo project. Xap too. Microphone Tone dropped an album called "Sons of Italy" and it's crazy!! Rec Raw dropped "The Spanish Armada" which is one of 2014's best releases and we currently working on the "Papi & Paisano" project. A lot going on in 2015.
Mysti: You are known for making heartfelt music a lot based on experiences in your own life, which I as a listen relate with on so many levels, if you had to choose 1 or a few seperate songs you have written which one would stand out for you personally as the one/ones that mean the most to you?
Nico: This is a great question and the generic answer would be "All of them" but it would be a lie. So my list of songs that mean the most to me is as follows:
1. "You Mean Everything" produced by Rhythm J off of "The Beast Within" - Its a song about the untimely death of my first born son Domenic Zarrella Jr. from SIDS. The hardest part of my life.
2. "Make Believe" produced by Vanderslice off of "The Beast Within" - It's a song about the effects of occurrences in 2009 that took a major toll on my wife, Christy.
3. "True Hero" produced by Noochman off of "The Beast Within" - It's a song dedicated to my sister Jeanette based on true stories that she endured while working in the CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) at Children's Hospital. She literally is a True Hero.
4. "If We Should Die Tonight" produced by Edd Bundy off of "Dinner Is Served Vol. 2" - It's a song about my brother Michael using the titles of the songs we made together as lyrics in this song.
5. "Suicide Note" featuring Jadria Jayne produced by SuperVillain of Grim Reaperz off of "H.O.M.E." - It's a song about our cousin Dean Digilio who committed suicide. Written in the perspective of Dean writing his own Suicide Note. He meant a lot to our family and it was something that I needed to explain from his viewpoint.
There are a lot of songs that mean a lot to me and that I wrote so listeners could relate to. "Last Ride", "Darkness Falls", "This Can't Be Real", "Motionless", "Brothers", "Break From Reality", "Broken Home", "Damaged". So many. The last 5 I mentioned are all on H.O.M.E. and I can't wait for yall to hear them.
Mysti: It is no surprise that in your music anyone can see the different styles you bring to the table, if you had to pick one type of song to make would it be the angry more violent side of things or the deep emotional heart wrenching music?
Nico: Definitely the deeper emotional music. It's just who I am as an artist and a person. Don't get me wrong, I love getting anger and aggression out on beats but there's a time and place for that. There's always time for relatable music in my opinion.
Mysti: Stage presence is a key component in the world of Nico The Beast it would seem, is there a particular show that you remember as being the most important or special to you?
Nico: Might sound cheesy or corny but every show I've done wit the League is amazing. The chaotic chemistry is unexplainable. It's like looking at something that you know should explode and instead it casts a beam of light or a beautiful sound. If that makes sense. It's a great feeling to step back and look at what's happening while on stage and just know you're not only a part of something epic but you're able to witness it up close and personal. I'm pretty sure the homies in AOTP can vouch for this.
Mysti: Who would you say are your biggest inspirations? In music or life in general.
Nico: In music, Brother Ali, Joe Budden, and my brothers that I get to make music with everyday that I mentioned earlier.
In life, my mother who taught me to never judge a book by its cover or a CD by its Intro. My pop, who taught me to just wake up and punch the clock. No matter what you do in life just make sure you wake up and punch the clock. And my wife and kids because all the things I've endured they've endured along side me. "Living here is torture, if it wasn't for my wife and kids???/ I would be a goner cause I don't even like to live." (C) Nico the Beast off of Hells Choir on the League album. 100% truth.
Mysti: What can we expect from Nico The Beast in the near future?
Nico: Trying to leave an indelible mark on music with my brothers and sisters of the League. There's enough talent and drive to be successful with the mission. We just have to stay focused on that end goal.
Mysti: Do you feel that choosing a "career" in music is something achievable or just a pipe dream? And how have you tried to handle your involvement in music and divide time between that and family life?
Nico: Music careers are non-existent. Most of the people you see with success in the industry are tapped into multiple outlets not just the music. I think the development of a loyal fanbase is the hardest thing to achieve because there are sooooo many rappers it's hard to be a stand out. So you have to create your own ways and opportunities and find the people who think alike. It's just getting out there and proclaiming your intentions and wishes and hoping they are receptive to it. That's the hard part. Hahaha!
Luckily, my family is super supportive of not only myself but all the people I work with as well. My wife doesn't nag or degrade my effort and my chillren know all the lyrics of all the League members. That's pretty cool to me.
Mysti: If you had to give any advice to up and coming musicians what would that be?
Nico: Remain humble, ask question, and never stop learning and progressing. You can never know too much and nobody likes a know it all. No douchebaggery or ego.
Mysti: Are you where you wanted to be musically? Or did you expect to achieve less or more by this time?
Nico: I'm right where I need to be but definitely not where I want to be. Would've definitely loved to have left a bigger stamp on hip hop by now but that just makes it more imperative to succeed now. Success as in reaching those who need to be reached not as in being rich and famous. That's not the victory I'm after. I'm hoping to make our kids' future and their kids' future brighter by the work we doing presently.
Mysti: If you had to describe your music in one sentence how would you describe it?
Nico: Relatable
Mysti: Last but by no means least, if anybody wanted to follow you, your music of 30 and Over League, where would they need to look? (Any links are welcome here lol).
Youtube.com/30AndOverLeague
30AndOverLeague.com (coming soon)
@30AndOverLeague on Twitter and Instagram
@NicoTheBeast on Twitter and Instagram
Facebook: 30 And Over League and Nico The Beast aka Memory Lang
Mysti: Thanks for coming through to do this interview, I and I'm sure many other people are looking forward to what the future holds as far as Nico The Beast are concerned. Many good thoughts go out to you and may 2015 be all you hoped it to be.
Nico: Thank you for all your support and for reaching out to me. It's humbling to say the least. We appreciate the love! And hopefully we can get a Mysti track this year? Salute and best of luck going forward! Shouts to philly, Mike Trampe, J. Hatch, Yadibox.com, Real Doe Entertainment, Exponent Entertainment, Oc Diesel, all the family and friends who rock wit us! Peace!!
No comments:
Post a Comment