Having recently launched the impressively honest, colourful and skillful debut album The Glass Man: Act 1, we were blessed with the chance to interview rising Nashville artist and rapper Nixed, to find out more about the stories behind the music, the creative process, and what the future may hopefully hold. Here’s how it went.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Hey Nixed – thanks so much for the interview, powerful debut album! To introduce things, how would you describe your approach to making rap music, and what inspired you to start?
Hey! I’d say my approach to making a record involves me having a clear mind first. I write so much that I find myself with an archive of material to go off of. I’m a huge fan of song structure and I approach it in a way like, “Can I make this different than the other ones.”
Tell me about the inception of The Glass Man: Act 1 – what does this project represent, and what was the creative process like?
The Glass Man is centered around my insecurity as an artist. With rap, I feel the criticism can be much worse than other genres. I wanted to make this album into a story that unfolds as my emotion and attachment to rap become unglued.
In the first half of the album, you hear the upbeat/ fast rap and grittiness. Once you get to the middle of the album, I become more serious and open about my life and how I handle the life of being a family man first, then an artist second.
The Glass Man follows a dramatic intro with the first display of your bars and this classic hip hop production. Your versatility in story and flow is impressive – do you edit your bars and preconceive ideas, or just freestyle?
A lot of ideas are thought of on the spot. Really, it’s based off of how I’m feeling. As someone who suffers with ADHD and being bipolar, I find myself writing more and more than I let the consumer hear.
Do you create your own beats, or hire producers and ride the wave over their soundscapes?
This album was produced by about, 7-8 different producers and some tracks/samples were done in house to make the track sound more like a record.
We Are is a brilliant anthem, followed by the equal groove and higher-pace impact of To The Front – how important was arrangement for you when crafting this album?
The arrangement was done last minute “haha.” I first wanted to have every record done, and then listen back to it about 100 times before I began arranging the order of tracks. I felt this way was the best way to keep things right.
You also feature some heartfelt, stripped-back tracks, the familiar name of Rock Bottom being a beautiful highlight. Is authenticity something you hold valuable as an artist, or is it more important to entertain?
Authenticity and being humble are the two most important things to me. With that comes the insecurity, because I care so much about rap that it really conflicts with my ability to be more “confident.” Rock Bottom really explains why I am the way I am, and it dives into what I feel most artists deal with as well.
Do you ever worry about revealing too much of your personal story?
Absolutely. At some point I can’t be this “sad” person who constantly makes music to ease the pain. Eventually, people will get the idea of what I’m going through and hopefully they can relate and connect to it.
Are there many opportunities for indie rappers to perform live in Nashville, and do you have plans to use performance as a tool to reach people, or keep things in the studio and online for now?
Yes! Nashville has changed so much and I believe rap has been pushed back in the Nashville scene. My goal is to be one of the ones that can create a movement for it to be more recognized in this city and performing will only help keep it alive!
Which track from this album do you feel is the strongest and the best represents your style and ability?
That’s a hard question. I feel like The Warning and In Love With Myself capture both sides of me.
The project features a number of collaborations, how did you connect with these artists, and what does collaboration bring out in you that solo work doesn’t?
I found some of these artists on Craigslist. I’m kidding. It’s honestly been word of mouth and connecting with people at shows. Juice Brown, Mr.110, Aye West, Tay Focuz and Noah Osgood are all phenomenal writers and creators so it helps when we get together to make a record!
What’s your biggest ambition right now, and what’s your plan of action to work towards that?
My biggest ambition right now is to be recognized in my own city as a competitive artist and eventually get a plaque for this album! The only way to do that is to keep grinding and staying consistent.
If you could sit down for a chat with anyone at all, past or present, who would you choose, and what would you ask them about?
If I had to choose, it would be Michael Jackson. I grew up wanting to dance and studied every performance of his. It would be dope to make a positive record with him.
What’s next for you?
The Glass Man: Act 2…… maybe.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Grab the album The Glass Man: Act 1. Find Nixed on Facebook & Instagram.
