Interviewing legendary Richmond rapper, Nickelus F, is an unreserved journey into a broad and uncharted artistic wilderness. From the instant you begin speaking — you chat — about every little thing — from lifestyle and politics to theology and top secret histories to quantum mechanics and the growing universe. The length you can journey in dialogue with Nickelus F is as unpredictable as it is endless. Yet, the time had arrive to depart the oral traditions of Mali’s Dogon Tribe driving and concentration on MMCHT, his very long awaited 11th studio undertaking which can be additional to a formidable catalog of over 20 mixtapes.
We caught up with Nickelus F at our studio previous week, not only to communicate about the new album but his legacy as a person of Virginia’s most prolific artists.
Landon Shroder: Congratulations on the new album, we have been listening to it all week, its amazing.
Nickelus F: Thank you. Thank you.
LS: On the intro keep track of for MMCHT, it appears like there are a great deal of factors on your brain. What’s the environment on the lookout like to you right now?
NF: Appropriate now, the planet is looking like a large possibility for me to construct and cement my legacy. You know what I’m declaring? I’ve spent a good deal of time honing my talents as an artist and making ready myself to assault — to attack the world. Seriously placing myself, and my songs out there, and setting a common of excellence that my followers can anticipate, you know?
LS: Are you discovering items inspiring or cynical these days? For the reason that there is a particular heaviness to the new album.
NF: For me, it’s finishing the goal. This is what I stated I was likely to do with my everyday living from the time I was young. I claimed, “one working day I’m heading to be a skilled recording artist” and I’ve experienced the exact same vision for my lifetime because a baby. This time all over, my approach is to do it how I want to do it. Looking again on the previous, even though I did my best, I come to feel like I never ever truly maximized the potential I had. But this time all over, I will.
LS: I truly feel like your albums have normally been deeply observational, but this album would seem almost testimonial. To paraphrase the observe Just F, “Fuck Petey, Fuck Nickelus, fuck all of that shit… its just F.” There’s a large amount to infer from a lyric like that.
NF: I would say that’s close to the mark, it is unquestionably testimonial. My very last album was Caught in 2018. At that point in time, I was in a completely unique space and experienced a fully unique outlook on existence — I felt conquer down and literally caught. But I was back again in school, and I was hopeful about the prospects in the potential.
I’m in a way much better area now, and a whole lot of the positioning on this album was certainly testimony. I did a good deal reflecting on lifetime, and what is been likely on with me in excess of these earlier handful of a long time.
LS: Do you really feel like you achieved everything you wanted out of this new record?
NF: In conditions of the artwork, yeah, and the distinction is how I approached this album. This time I imagined, what is the information that I wanna get throughout? What is it that I want people today to truly feel? What am I communicating to my contemporaries — to other rappers? What am I expressing to the sport — to the lifestyle?
LS: So what message are you striving to deliver with this album?
NF: My statement is this: “Yo, I’m rapping at a actually significant level, and I don’t consider a great deal of y’all are on par with me.” Ideal? In terms of getting a deal with on the craft, the technological areas of rap, and the selection in track fashion and shipping.
LS: The way you come to feel you’ve mastered the artwork variety?
NF: Mastery of the art type, that’s the assertion. And I’m continuing to even further master all features of this, regardless of the style of track — irrespective of the bounce, the beat, the subject, the matter make a difference.
Yo. I’m slaying shit. So I’m listed here to press the ranges, set bars, and shatter expectations of what a rapper at my age could do.
LS: That’s fucking awesome. Can I inquire you some concerns about currently being a rapper in your forties?
NF: Of class.
LS: On Ziplocs, there is a lyric, “They asked me about my age and I say I’m eternal.” How’s your innovative evolution unfolded now that you are in this new lifetime phase?
NF: As a resourceful, I come to feel super highly effective. I feel like I can accomplish whatever it is I require to attain creatively. As very long as I know what I wanna say and what stance I wanna choose, I feel like there’s no roadblocks.
LS: Do you experience like your priorities have modified as an artist?
NF: For absolutely sure, I imagine much more so suitable now. I’m at the age where by I want to present my progress. I wanna carry on to elevate the degree of my crafting, hone my artistry, and continue on carving out my lane — I sense like I don’t sound like any other rapper. I created this entire method, this is F shit. I have analyzed what it is individuals like about me as an artist, what I like best about myself as an artist, and I leaned into that.
LS: What have you discovered all through that system of self-evaluation?
NF: That’s tremendous exciting. I’ve recognized that persons like me for my producing. There are rappers who have terrific beats, great voices, special seems to be, you know what I mean? But I experience like my biggest selling issue is the actual lyrics. So that’s a single point I honed in on I also adjusted the way that I produce, history, and provide my tunes so that I could have a great general performance without the need of killing myself on stage.
LS: The rap press is expressing you’ve received a new imprint — Trick Dice. Are there strategies on constructing out a roster or increasing into audio publishing?
NF: Ultimately. I’ve been finding that dilemma a whole lot. Getting a label was in no way truly a issue that I assumed about. But as I’m maturing and getting the pieces and persons about me that want to support. And this is my chance to optimize on the opportunity I described earlier. So ideal now my focus is finding it off of the floor, off of the again of my tunes and my catalog. But ultimately I would like to increase the roster and get the job done with a pair artists.
LS: A number of several years in the past you occupied this truly interesting area, acting as a bridge between the rap and punk scenes in Richmond. Do you consider that bridge continue to exists or was that a certain time and area because of venues like Unusual Matter?
NF: I would like to think so. That’s just Richmond society, correct? Our town is specific, and that vibe transcends any just one musical genre, and additional so speaks to the essence of the town. But not all people can wander that line. So, I feel there’s a ton of typical floor and there’s a good deal of chance that’s nevertheless but to be absolutely explored.
I also want to give a significant shout out to Phil, Mark, and Bobby (ed. observe: previous proprietors of Peculiar Make a difference) for every single participating in a significant job in setting up a lot of shows and bringing those crowds jointly. We located mutual happiness in the songs and made good activities.
LS: Any plans to tour to help the new album?
NF: Absolutely. We have a ton of exhibits coming up, some location dates above the summer, but we’re organizing a tour for the fall and winter time.
LS: Where’s the tour going to take you?
NF: That I can’t say appropriate now. There are dates that are booked, but it’s anything that’s continue to remaining place alongside one another.
LS: For all the vinyl collectors out there, are you gonna push the new album?
NF: Certainly. Absolutely. And you can also expect vinyl releases for some of your beloved tasks in my again catalog.
LS: You go on to inspire, thanks for using the time to chat with us.
NF: Thank you. Oh and prior to I go, I want to explain to every person to examine out my website www.weneedf.com, thanks once again.
*This job interview has been edited for size and clarity.
Photos by Landon Shroder
Digital illustrations by R. Anthony Harris
The write-up Attacking the Entire world: An Unique Q&A with Richmond Rap Legend, Nickelus F appeared initial on RVA Mag.