A Conversation with multi-talented artist NXICON

Born and raised in Grand Rapids Michigan, NXICON started his career on the streets of Lansing, Michigan performing at various events including at the Capitol Building for then Governor. He returned to his hometown of Grand Rapids and began pursuing music full-time as both an artist and a manager before concentrating fully on his first love of performing. He had been featured many times on the local public access radio station as an artist and guest DJ. His first official single entitled “Do Or Die b/w Never Go Astray” led to his inclusion on a local compilation by Terry Schemansky called “The Whisper Compilation” and later garnered his first recording contract with KJ Records and the subsequent release of his first full-length “DO OR DIE.

NXICON relocated to Atlanta where he’s produced and released 5 other projects including his latest project “YOUNG GOD”. He has been featured on ‘Artisfirst Radio”, “ScavenegerDink Radio” and AVA Radio. He has performed at the Red Light Café, the Sweet Auburn Festival, Smith’s Olde Bar and The Masquerade. The song “Ain’t Gotta Take It” which deals with abusive relationships has been used in the independent film “The List” as a soundtrack for the stage-play “You Passed Me By” and “Wanted” was used for the independent film “Fighting Angels” to which NXICON was a featured actor.

Twist Online : First of all tell us about the start of your professional career?
NXICON : I signed my first contract with a label out of Grand Rapids Michigan called KJ Records. We did one album but because they were new to the game. Promotions and contracts weren’t right so I opted out after my year was up. I then moved to Atlanta and started pursuing my independent career which has been prospering ever since.

Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
NXICON : My mother was my biggest influence. She’s a gospel singer and one day I found an album that her group recorded and that motivated me to want to make a record of my own.

Twist Online : Tell us about your latest project “YOUNG GOD”?
NXICON : Young God is a collection of music based on different moods that I was in. Can U Hear Me? is me trying to talk to God about my life and my place in it. Shawty Got Dat Booty is pretty much self-explanatory. Representing was a song about the block but there is a re-mix version that I did for a Racing Team out of Detroit.

Twist Online : What kind of response you have received from the release?
NXICON : A lot of people like because it’s not the usual crap that you hear now. It’s clear, distinctiive and you either bang your head or bob your head. it’s straight hood but has a smooth appeal to it.

Twist Online : What attracts you more, performing on stage or working in studios?
NXICON : I love being on stage! There’s just something euphoric about being in fronmt of a group of people vibing off of your music. In the studio, it’s just you and the engineer and whoever you’re featuring. It’s the crowd that gives you the energy though!

Twist Online : Your tracks have been featured in independent films and you also featured in a movie. Tell us about your experience in that ?
NXICON : Yeah, my song Ain’t Gotta Take It is featured in a movie called The List, Gotta Get That Money is featured as the intro to a series called Undercover Detective. It’s hype! I never thought that I would experience something like that doing music but it’s the greatest thing to be able to have that influence for people to want to use your music for some like that. As far as acting, man, I’ve done so much from stage plays to film. I did a movie called Thru Blind Eyes where I was a lead that was cool! Then I did a guest shot on the Rickey Smiley show and even appeared in Lottery Ticket. Anything that has me in front of people I love!

Twist Online : Have you set some target to achieve as a music artist?
NXICON : As an artist to just continue to put out music to get into your mind. Make you think. Make you want to raise up and stand for something. I already have my production company set so there’s no limit

Twist Online : Are you currently working on any other project?
NXICON : I’m currently working on 3 projects. One is untitled but the other two “Soulah” is my latest project and I’m working on a project with my artist SIVAD called “Thug Luv”. Soljah I’m hoping to complete in November, Thug Luv in DeCember and hopefully the untitled one in December as well.