NiGE HOOD

Charlotte, NC hip hop artist NiGE HOOD explores new sounds and visual pleasures with Return of The Nasty EP.

Every artists knows when it’s time to expand their sound and more importantly knowing to stay true in the process. NiGE Hood has had some great grass root success with his previous work and has no problem switching up the look to stand out. We had the honor of interviewing and attending his Return of The Nasty listening event this weekend. Upon our arrival was the norm of many people waiting for the event to begin, a photo booth and to our knowledge a hired chef was outside serving tacos for guests.

There I saw a white backdrop and the usual rock n roll band equipment. I didn’t think much of it until I realized he did have some Charlotte openers including Saving Saturday, King Callis, Bambizilla and more. Ten minutes went by and a projection was shown of music videos in a similar format of Kanye West’s “New Slaves” premiere. I honestly didn’t expect much effort or creativity coming from this event, but I felt relieved knowing that there still are artists who care about their craft and making sure those who do come, have a great experience. I conversed briefly with NiGE and he spoke on his visual “Medicine“, giving Charlotte artists opportunities and more. You can purchase his Return of The Nasty EP HERE.



Southern New Yorker: What was the process behind this project and what reactions do you expect from listeners?
NiGE HOOD: I guess this project started off as an idea. Genuinely it was a figment of my plans back when I was putting out THOUGHTS: Volume 1. Then after THOUGHTS: Volume 2 happened; I spent most of my year recording with Jason Jet. It started off with the song that we recorded last summer “Medicine” that we finally put out this summer. It was a long process of just putting out songs and putting together a campaign to promote it. I think it was a pretty good grassroots level turn out regarding people’s anticipation. I hope people like it, I’ve heard some good things about it.



SNY: How important was it for you to incorporate Charlotte artists as openers for your event tonight?

NiGE: I think it’s time because we’ve got good artists, so why not if they’re from the city. Why not give them an opportunity to show what they’ve got and expand their audience. I think that’s great. As long as you know that you’re making good music and pushing your brand, I’m all about putting people on or giving people opportunities.





SNY: Tonight I saw a projection screen which showed visuals and you brought in a live band as well. It kind of reminded me of what Kanye West did for his “New Slaves” release. You have your own media art company called Guerrilla Art Faire, would you say he influenced you?

NiGE: Aside from knowing that he projected the “New Slaves” video, I didn’t know too much. Kanye West isn’t someone that I follow right now. So I’d say no, but in a way yeah. I feel like what I’m doing right now is what Kanye West was doing before he got his opportunity with Roc-a-Fella company as an artist because he had to put his own stuff together. So I do share his ambition. I feel like that Punk’d episode where they were filming “Jesus Walks” and they pretended they were stealing the tapes. He went and stole them back he was like, “Nah, I paid for this video shoot. I did all of this!” That’s how you feel when it’s your baby or when something is yours. You’ll go all in for it. So, yeah we share the same spirit.



SNY: What is your favorite record on Return of The Nasty?

NiGE: I think that musically “Extendos” is a great record that’s got Kale Hunter on it. We got the interlude for “Return of The Nasty” which has a sample from Gary Clarke Jr. playing the guitar. I’m singing a melody that I wrote along with Diyasha Smith. It’s like a mantra that represents what the nasty is about. Its saying, “Lord I want to thank you for all my flaws for so they crawl and every part of me don’t shatter me to pieces don’t call it off. To the world I stand tall and give you all of me.” That’s what I was trying to do with this project. It comes off with a reggae record which is the second record on the project just showing you that I like this and I can create these songs. Why not create a good piece of music this way? So I just hope I really get the opportunity to get it to as many people as possible. This is the first time that I had a good amount of merchandise and even if I walk away with a fraction of that I can still sell that at other events. This is kind of a step up for where I’m going and my growth.



SNY: What was the inspiration behind the visual “Medicine”?

NiGE: It was a growing thing, but it originally centered around hitch hiking and going into different situations. Certain things on set happened because there wouldn’t have been a performance scene at the end if I had brought a suitcase. I brought an actual trumpet case with a trumpet in it. We wouldn’t have had the idea instead of me meeting up with my girl, I flip it and they see that I’m going to perform. It was kind of a process, but it centered around comical situations that you’d run into.

SNY: Now that you released the project Return of The Nasty what else can we expect from NiGE HOOD?

NiGE: You can expect another visual for “Eargum” that’s coming from the same studio that recorded “Medicine”. Also I’ll be performing at the Fernweh Festival which is on July 45th at Lake Norman. I don’t know how I’m going to pull that one off with suit attire, I’ll have to pull off one of those school boy suite knickers type. You know I have to keep up with my attire. I’m doing the joint on 36th street and a show in Raleigh on the 29th. I’ve got some more performances lined up late July and just getting this merchandise to as many people as possible. Getting these record heard. - SouthernNewYorker

* Knowing your true calling and sticking to it at an early age is very rare. For Charlotte native NiGE HOOD, it was a matter of discipline and action to pursue his career dream as a visual and music artist.

Rhyming mostly about fun times, love, suburbia and philosophical values is the staple in his uniqueness. Also, the advantage of having his own media company and educating himself on how to make it as a music artist further proves he takes the music business serious as well.

With influences from A Tribe Called Quest, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix you can guess he isn't bringing you a flashy rapper persona. However, having an extensive music catalog and years of grassroots promotion, NiGE HOOD has placed himself among the premier rap artists from the First and Flight state.

Arena recently caught up with the folk rapper. He briefly spoke about the 60s era, why having a message in his rhymes work, and how he balances reality and his career.

Arena.com: Who is NiGE HOOD?

NiGE HOOD: NiGE hood is an idea that is separate from who I am as Nigel Hood. NiGE HOOD just represents the people. NiGE hood is the people, it’s the everyday experiences of the people and the things that people feel and enjoy. How I even spell my name NiGE HOOD, it's all caps except for the "i," which is lowercase because I look at it as a concept that’s bigger than me. Being self-focused and ego-driven have brought some of my most difficult times in my career. In life and with my music, I try to stay away from the over braggadocios content because I believe that it offers nothing substantial to the listener. With folk rap, I seek to speak on things that your everyday 18 to 25-year-old thinks about, and deliver it in a creative and entertaining way.

Arena: I hear your rhymes of living in a suburban neighborhood. How does your music influence and relate to other parts of the world?

NiGE: Plainly put, everybody has the same lives. Everybody lives the same lives, the same emotions you have felt in your adult lifetime, I too will feel in mine. These two ladies to our left, I don’t know where they’re from, but they deal with rejection, trying to figure out who they are, being aroused or having a good time. Most of my songs come from how I’m feeling and I’m relaying it on my paper along with a beat. It all begins with me, and I’ve just been fortunate enough that other people are able to connect.

Arena: Let’s get to your last project. What was the goal once you released “

” to the public?

NiGE: That was my first solo project after I finished with school at North Carolina Central, where I did a lot of my music. What I wanted to do was take that album outside of North Carolina, get it on national streaming sites so that more and more people can hear about it. I wanted to give people a closer insight of what I stand for and what’s going on in my mind. That was a good project to come out to a broader audience. That was the first album I had that I made sure would have media promo for or making sure to send it to blogs early to write a review on it.

Arena: You have branded your style as “folk rap” and have a company called Guerrilla Art Faire. Can you please explain both to the readers?

NiGE: Guerrilla Art Faire is my media company; the name comes from the idea from the music I make. It’s always abstract in some type of way. Even when you see my branding -- on my website, there’s a lot of color popping out because I love art. I’m a big doodler and, in a way, when I create my songs, it’s kind of the same thing. Also, I’m a big conscious-minded individual; I care about people and things that are unfair. I want to make them understand what I say and have a message. I look at what I’m doing as unconventionally fighting the good fight. Guerrilla warfare is the type of war that is unconventional, it takes a lot of people by surprise and [it is] different, but effective. That’s what I call Guerrilla Art Faire; it’s not war it’s art, but it’s unconventional and effective.

Arena: At one of your shows, you informed the crowd that you listened to a lot of 1960’s psychedelic music. How has that affected you as a music artist and visual artist?

NiGE: I think that listening to the music of that period in the 1960’s where it was a time of sunniness, colors, positive vibes, keeping it natural, soulful and having a message was an essential aspect of almost anybody’s record. Throughout my life, that kind of always formulated what I wanted to make my songs about. You know what was on my mind and also, at the same time, there was a strong feeling of love. That was the spearhead of the whole movement was love. Not to hash too much on what comes out now, there’s not a whole lot of that this year with positivity. I don’t want to have to come on stage and prove to you why I’m cooler than everybody so now adore me. I want to connect with you, I want you to connect with me. That’s why I call it folk rap. I don’t think I’m speaking the doctrine truth for the people, but I’m speaking on how I feel and I’m doing it with love in my heart. I’ll make a song about anything which is what folk music is.

Arena: Spoken from the heart. I know a lot of men who pursue a music career in hip-hop do not have an encouraging support system. How do you balance the reality of what life brings and keeping your dreams alive?

NiGE: By keeping yourself focus on what you want to do. It’s an ongoing learning process and it’s never going to ever be easy, but sometimes you just get better at dealing with things. I think that just by staying focus and knowing what I wanted to do. One thing that I feel fortunate for is I knew that at an early age the direction I wanted to go with my life.

Before I started rapping, I was writing songs and thinking I was going to be on TV or whatever. I knew that’s what I liked to do and I just have my faith in the larger plan. I try to keep my ear to the wind and it can move. My job is to be a musician, but in the meantime, if that job isn’t paying me, go get money somehow, some way. Wake up the next day, [ask myself], "Are you alive? What do you want to do? Go do it!"

There were times where it was tough; I had to learn I had to grow up. "Can’t spend all my money on this, I have to pay for this," but it works out. Also, understanding that there is a difference between dreaming and actually doing. Thinking big and actually doing it big. That’s something that I learned early on too. I was fortunate that I had a pretty disciplined and resilient parents and family, as far as their own careers, who are smart. I don’t think that I grew up being ignorant to certain things. A lot of it has been a learning process. That’s how Jay-Z got to be where he is. No matter where you’re from it’s just keeping your eyes on what you want to do and what you feel you are meant to do.

Arena: Well said NiGE. To wrap things up, what can we expect from you this year?

NiGE: You can expect The Return of The Nasty, which is coming out in summer 2015. It’s a project that I’m recording right now. Also, I’m planning a tour with my partner Cool It Ron, who is another artist from Charlotte. It’s called the “Groove Tour,” and we’re looking to start that off in February. That’s going to be my first tour, and I’m really excited about that. After that, once I release “The Return of The Nasty” in the summer time, I’m going on tour for the fall of 2015 to plug those songs and use that as my torch. Giving me more exposure and getting to these other markets to test out my merchandise. To start making some money, legitimate money from place to place. Really living the dream. - ARENA.com

Calling himself the “Folk Rap Genius”, Nige Hood knows how to stand out from the rest by mixing his music with his own art, indie/psychedelic sounds, and leaving fans with a powerful message within his lyrics. By mixing art and music together, Nige Hood creates his own discrete and private diary letting fans to get a closer and deeper look into how Nige Hood really is. Leaving fans to acknowledge that he is more then just the music but is the overall experience. Nige wants his art to represent daily life and the pursuit of happiness. Born and Raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Nige knew he wanted to rap since he was seven years old as merely a way to just vent out his thoughts and emotions. With seven solo projects under his belt, Nige has discography that resembles and reveals major hip-hop artists in the industry today. Nige Hood is a force to be reckon with in the industry, having the opportunity to open for Kendrick Lamar and Ace Hood. Be sure to check out his new EP coming out this June, “Return of the Nasty”. - iNOSLEN RADIO SHOW

by: Tim Mapp

After The Port set records for attendance at the Motorco Music Hall in Durham, Nige has been busy. He’s released a series of singles and visuals and now continues with his second installment of “Thoughts.” This one goes for the gusto with even more thought provoking concepts, dope beats, and supreme lyricism. It also embodies a feature from Jakob1up and audio recordings that resemble skits. Overall, volume 2 has a total of fifteen tracks full of conscious music for any Hip-Hop fanatic. Enjoy.

Let’s Make Some Money

This may be one of the most recent straightforward intro’s. Nige Hood starts his “Thoughts Vol. 2″ project by sampling the classic 1988 film “They Live,” which John Carpenter directed and retired Canadian wrestler Roddy Piper starred in. The sample includes clips of a “pro illuminati” rant, which sets up the next song (“What’s the threat?!? We sell out every day. Might as well be on the winning team.”)
1000 Miles Away (ft. Chad Ali)

About a year ago, Nige teased us with leading singles such as “Space Hop.” Slow and simple, the hook-verse-hook-verse layout leaves Chad Ali space to end the song by blazing the last lines, rapping in 16th notes, and abandoning you to crave more.
Daye Speaks (ft. Day Brown of G1ftedMuzik)

An acapella freestyle from Day Brown worthy of a replay.
Breakfast

Elevating the vibe, “Breakfast” stands out. Nige ditches the dirty south drums for rhodes and bongos. Not the greatest production on the project, but the lyrics make up for it. The track sounds as though it belongs on Star Fox 64. Nige concludes the song by asking, “When them biscuits burn in them oven and those eggs stick to the pan/ Will you eat what you’ve created, or let your pride starve you again?” An enjoyable way to figure whether you’re a content person.
Facin (ft. Jakob1up)

This is the type of collaboration that the duo make look like an easy free-throw. Nige and Jakob introduce the song with a brief skit about some guys prepping for a smoke session. One guy comes empty handed. A BIG NO-NO! The theatrical notes are in place, but the patience isn’t. Jakob boasts about his high-grade marijuana and condescends the five bucks from the empty-handed patron. Nige joins the verbal bashing. “I brought this reefer to enjoy this reefer/ I’m not no stingy motherf*cker, you a super leecher”. “Facin” jams out like a Hip-Hop track should; if they perfect this song live, it’ll enlighten.
SHOTTAS

A wonderful rendition of French Montana’s “Shot Caller,” Nige’s version lies back more. After the heavy of “Facin,” “SHOTTAS” is the equivalent of a full-body massage after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This song is obviously a performance track; something that will demand attention amongst large crowds. Nige’s voice puffs up mid-performance as he flaunts his pyrotechnic flow.
The Things I Do

Nige sets the tone from the start with the melodic chorus over Pete Rock/ D R period-sounding drums. “The things I Do” opens like a key-based showcase for Nige’s wit, a combination used throughout the project, but half-way, the lyrics focus more about squeezing by and ignoring the company of others. This is one of two songs produced by 207Nugget, of which this chills out the most.
A-Train (ft. Tim Stacks)

“A-Train” is yet another slyly sampled track, opening up with slick orchestral strings and a familiar Boom-Bap drum pattern. Great traveling music. Whether you are on the bus, train, car or plane, you can turn this on and glide to your destination. Complete with snippets from a Dr. Dre interview about the appeal of becoming a rapper. Slammed between these clips, Tim Stacks rhymes about the “Come up” he has endured throughout his journey as a talented rapper.
My City (Cant Cuff it)

(Replay Worthy) Nige Hood is a multi-talented rapper that also can produce his own beats, so understanding how he has compiled so many great records comes easily. Here the signature rap stylings are the main focus: Jay-z’s classic freestyle is chopped up as Nige awaits his chance to dip heat over this beat. It may not have the best production, but mistake nothing, “My City” stands out. The ad-libs from Jay-z’s backing vocal mesh well with what Nige announces.
Liberate Yaself (ft JayPluss+)

(Replay Worthy) Possibly the most complex song on the mixtape. The lyrics strike a nostalgic tone throughout. No chorus, just another recording used to transition verses. A chill tempo cut that Nige pushes to the next level – particularly during “Liberate Yasself”‘s transitions. You could say this is what happens when you put two different soul samples and a couple divine MC’s on the same track. JayPluss strikes a lively tone throughout the song until the two rappers refer to the symbolism within the “Lion King.”
Mobile (ft. Wreck N Crew)

(Replay Worthy) Like “1000 Miles Away,” this cut has a traditional southern approach. “Mobile” arguably has the catchiest hook of the project. The vocal synergy between Nige and Crew amazes, as both paint pictures of roads taken. One of the more popular verses that the trio deliver. Lower tones from the track lift the vocals a bit, and the result is one of the most sonically satisfying songs. This is another great performance track for the triad of rap.
Death Respect Purpose- KRS One

A audio skit featuring KRS One. Step into a world of rebellious souls. “Death respects purpose,” KRS announces like the sound of the police.
Soul Purpose

A side to us gets caught up in our day-to-day life. “Soul Purpose” defines how to combat this. An example of how universal Hip-Hop is, Nige and Nightmares on Wax come together for the second time to demonstrate how to elevate your soul. This is a song that would make waking up in the morning enjoyable. We are blessed to have life, and we should strive every day to better ourselves in every way.
Thoughts Theme

“Thoughts Theme” effectively concludes for those who listen to the entire project. Nige’s uplifting lyrics (“You will never know what anybody gotta say about what you gotta say until you say it/ SAY IT”) enliven DJ Paign1s gritty drums. Nige then thanks everyone he has met along his journey.
Love Like Royals

You know that part of a live show when the artists close their set and the crowd’s quaking applause persuade them to continue performing? Nige completes his thought provoking project with an encore rap over “Royals” by Lorde. A spiteful hi-hat live overlaid with swirling bass and majestic synths drive an upbeat tune that merges well with the slick cat talk of Nige. - ClarionContentMedia.com

Four seconds in and I knew I was going to like Excursions, a five-track EP created by emcee NiGE HOOD and producer Simon SMTHNG. I am absolutely loving every single area of the project, consisting of the charismatically delivered, multi-syllabic lines of HOOD and a consistently different sound curated by SMTHNG. There are actually a couple moments here in which HOOD sounds like a smoother Lupe, like on one of my personal favorite tracks, “Casual”. The lush jazz loops make for a relaxed, peaceful listen without nearing boredom.

“Soon to be the latest, greatest news on your timeline”, raps HOOD, who might just be right. Stream the project below. - POTHOLES IN MY BLOG

1. What’s your name? What city are you representing?

A: My name is NiGE HOOD, and I represent myself by way of Charlotte, NC.

2. As a lyricist, who would you say is your number one influence?

A: Nas, I would say the foundation of my flow came from him. Nas had a slow delivery, he used the multiple syllables of words, broke them apart, and smoothly lays them down over the beat to construct his verses. I adopted that flow early as a youngin’ because it allowed me the room to fit all of the deep ideas in my head over a beat. As opposed to me rapping like Ludacris or something, lol, my songs would sound a lot different.

3. Top 5 Dead or Alive?

A: I’m gonna cheat and instead give the 5 pillars of what made up great Hip-Hop for Myself as a fan:
Nas, UGK, Outkast, Eminem, The N.W.A. lineage (Cube, Dre, Eazy) and A Tribe Called Quest

4. Do you feel Charlotte is going to get the attention it deserves in the industry?

A: I believe that attention is attained via talent, presentation, luck and hard work. Charlotte definitely has the talent to entertain America and the larger world. More and more rapidly, the quality of our projects, videos and overall presentation of our artistry is improving. If we continue to work, work HARD, all we need is the will of God and good timing. That’s how every movement gains force.

5. Best place to eat in Charlotte.

A: I rocks with Maddie’s Diner and of course I’m getting dessert at Amelie’s French Bakery. Jack Beagles in NoDA has some DANK Mac n Cheese!

6. Are you working on any projects? What do you have out now?

A: Right now I am promoting my recent release, “THOUGHTS Vol. 2″, available on iTUNES, GooglePlay, Amazon and Spotify.

You can find my past projects at www.Soundcloud.com/NiGEHOOD/Sets

7. Any shout outs?

A: Shout out to my team at BLVCKUNIVERSE.com! The Charlotte music family, Mic Iver, King Callis, Joe Sig, Elevator Jay, Jay Pluss, Quent Young, SeniorYr, Tim Stack$ just to name a fraction of the talent that we have out here in the city.

Shout out to Domo from iKnoDomo.com who holds me down on her site whenever I have a new release or update. Shout out to my incredible videographers Devon Jackson (@Dev_ShotYa) and also Tyler Cox (@SkyboxVisuals).

Shout out to Durham, NC, Virginia, California and Washington, DC. I have major support in those spots just to name a few. - LIBERATION LIVE

The Folk Rap Genius NiGE HOOD is back with his upcoming album, “Return Of The Nasty”. While fans everywhere have been anticipating new music from the Charlotte-based emcee, NiGE has managed to hold off their demands… UNTIL NOW! Here’s “Creepin Through The Nasty”, a taste of the flavors NiGE HOOD will be cooking up on his new album, Return Of The Nasty. Enjoy! [Art mash-up was created by his media company Guerrilla Art Faire] - VvG704