Respect the underground artist. J NICS and DJ BurnOne drop their new collaboration project “Darkside”
TRUE: Tell us about your upcoming project with DJ Burn One, how did you guys come together and why did you 2 decide to make the whole project a collaboration?
J NICS: The music for “DarkSide” started before we even knew we were doing a project together. Me and BurnOne kept running into each other. Then he DJ’d one of my shows in Miami, and from there we hit the studio. We recorded a couple tracks and before I knew it, I was on a plane to Atlanta going to BurnOne’s spot out there. We made some more music and it’s like shit, let’s keep it going. Before you know it we had 15 tracks together. The vibe was right and the music we created was something diffrent for the both of us. The title “DarkSide” means the other side, the side with no light shed upon it.
TRUE: How did you hook up with Jeff Dekal from Marvel Comics? Were you always a fan of Marvel? Which character do you think is the most like yourself?
J NICS: Me and Dekal had been cool for awhile and I’ve always been a fan of his work since I first became aware of it. Him being with Marvel just happened through natural progression. Dekal also did the cover art for my “Southern Niggas Ain’t Slow” series. As a kid, I was a huge Marvel Comics fan. X-Men and The Incredible Hulk were my favorites. I felt like I was most like the Hulk, since I’m a laid back type of guy until I get pissed off. If I could choose though, I would just want powers like Colussus and become unbreakable metal at will.
TRUE: Your album release party is coming up in Miami on December 13th, give us a rundown of whos going to be performing and how the night is going to go for you?
J NICS: I have the homies Scotty and SL Jones that are going to hit the stage, as well as me and BurnOne are going to pefrom that night with the band iNDEED.
TRUE: Tell us about the process of making this project. How did the studio sessions go? Were you 2 in the studio together for every track?
J NICS: Every session was just good vibes. We really just would go in the studio and jam out. We recorded the whole project together in Miami,Atlanta, New York and New Jersey. Each city had its influence on the songs in some shape or form. Burn produces on the spot and I like writing on the spot so it worked out really well. Good times.
TRUE: What are your favorite 3 tracks off of “Darkside” and why? Do you think DJ BurnOne agrees on those same tracks being his favorite?
J NICS: My favorites would have to be ‘Scale” “Ride Out” and “Rollin Thru the Nite.” “Scale” is my favorite because Freddie Gibbs straight killed his verse on that. “Ride Out” is just one of those tracks that I play over and over. I really fucks with that beat heavy. “Rollin Thru Nite” I like because it paints the picture of a young male in the streets, not because he didnt have money, but because he felt he had something to prove. In every song I put a piece of myself in it, even when I’m telling such a vivid story. With “Rollin thru the Nite” I relate to it in a sense that sometimes, your pride can cloud your judgement. I’ve definitely dealt with that battle at times in my life, many times.
TRUE: Was there ever a time that you 2 didn’t agree on something during the making? What was it that you disagreed upon? How did you squash it?
J NICS: While we were creating a song we both would have ideas on what direction the song should go. We were feeding off of each others energy in the studio. Wherever he goes with the beat, I’m right there with him spittin flows and hooks at the same time. So we didn’t have any issues. We were both just jamming out.
TRE: What do you enjoy the most, creating the tracks in the studio, or performing them for fans? Why one over the other?
J NICS: There’s nothing better than rocking a crowd of people with your music. Nothing.
TRUE: What makes “Darkside” different from your other projects in the past? What are you the most proud of out of this album?
J NICS: With this album, I think working with BurnOne brought out a diffrent sound from me than most fans have ever heard. I’m really proud that I got to collab with such talented artists from the artwork, to the studio, to performing it at shows. There’s growth in my music, and I learned alot throughout the entire process. All of that makes me proud.
TRUE: What are 3 of your biggest accomplishments as an artist so far?
J NICS: I’ve pretty much been seen as a local artist thus far, so for music to be the reason that I travel to new places is a huge accomplishment coming from where I’m from. Earning the respect from artists that I grew up listening to is also something that I take much pride in. When I worked with JT Money and Backbone from The Dungeon Family, it all served as motivation to soak up some game from the veterans that I respect, which only makes me become a better player.
TRUE: What are the most important lessons that you’ve learned about the music business? What knowledge about the business did you already have that has helped you out the most?
J NICS: The number one thing that I’ve learned is that to get anywhere in this business you need a team. A group of liked minded individuals working towards the same goals. It’s so much politics in this industry that without that, you will really find yourself lost. I’ve been rapping for fun since I was kid. I’m not some artist who pretty much started trying to rap yesterday. But, as soon as I decided to pursue this as a career, I knew that the right team was going to be needed. I’m coming in as a new artist but I’m not some rookie. That makes a big diffrence when you already have certain knowledge. It allows me to direct my path alot better than someone stilll trying to pick up on stuff that I learned as youngster.
TRUE: What other artists are you listening to right now? What were your favorite albums/mixtapes from 2012?
J NICS: I’m really open when it comes to what I listen to. So lately, I’ve been listening to alot more instrumental artists like Flying Lotus, his new album is dope. Subtract is also another artist that I’ve recently became a fan of. Gucci Mane and MF Doom are always in my ipod, so my favorite tracks from both of them stay in rotation. “The Yellow Album,” “The Marathon Continues” and “Live from the Underground” are my top 3 picks from this year. I still ride to those heavy.
TRUE: What do you have planned for 2013?
J NICS: My biggest plan for 2013 is to experiment more musicically and production wise. Don’t be suprised if next year you hear me rapping on a track that I produced myself. Performing is what I love to do so next year expect to see much more of that. From national shows to international shows, I want to give more people a chance to see me hit the stage and give then some dope hip-hop.
@JNICS305
