Nadiel – Q&A Interview
Glad we finally have the chance to interview Nadiel, let our readers know personally who you are & how long have you been in the music game?
Hey UGHHBLOG, glad to get the opportunity to speak with you guys. I’m a 23-year-old artist from Washington DC. I’m currently finishing up my degree at American University, studying Business with a specialization in Entrepreneurship. I’ve been making music since my freshman year of college (about 4 years now). Couple fun facts about me – I’m big into snowboarding – heading to Steamboat in Colorado this spring, a huge fan of Whisky and Scotch – favorite is Johnny Walker Black Label, and when I started at American I was actually studying classical composition – didn’t last too long because there’s a pretty big difference between classical music and Hip-Hop and I thought I was learning more from the engineers and producers I was working with outside the classroom than in it, although I did learn some valuable basics and skills.
Talking about the city you are from, how is the Hip Hop scene currently? What separates you from other artists?
I’ve lived in DC now for about 3 years, I think I’m more from here than anywhere. I think that the Hip-Hop scene in DC is seriously struggling, I think there is very little support in the area for it, and there are only a couple large noticeable artists coming out of here (Wale and Logic). That being said, I think its growing, there are a few really good studios in the area, and engineers/producers. That being said, there are definitely some very creative artists that are pushing the boundaries of the genre, which, while might never hit that mainstream radio status, I think is vital for continuing the tradition of Hip-Hop.
I think I’m pretty different from most other Hip-Hop artists both in my area and nationally. I think I have a very unique sound for a white rapper (the rapper I’m most compared to is Wiz Khalifa), and I think that a lot of my songs are really a mix between Pop, R&B, and Hip-Hop. I also think that my music is very relatable for a wide audience, I think my songs can appeal to children, teenagers, college students, professionals, parents, and grandparents. I believe that all my songs are extremely melodic, with hooks and verses that will get stuck in your head. I also think that the technical difference is that nearly every line in ever song rhymes with another, my fans often tell me that my songs are much more poetic than most other Hip-Hop music.
Any major influences who have influenced your music?
I think that there are a few artists who I really look up to and try to learn from, that would be Drake, J. Cole, and Atmosphere. That being said, I think I’ve learned the most from the engineers I’ve worked with, mainly Dakarai Gwitira at the renowned Quad Studio in NYC, and my engineer now, Chris “Von Pimpenstein” Carter.
All that being said, I think that I’ve taken most of my musical journey by myself. I think that’s part of the reason I have a very unique sound, is that all of my lyrics I write by myself, and the most impressive steps I’ve taken in the development of my music and sound have been achieved by myself alone.
Congrats on the release of your latest single “Broken Love Song” featuring Chris Carter. Give us a bit of insight on how the track come about?
I think that broken hearts are a reoccurring theme in a lot of my music, as its something I’ve had a lot of experience with. Broken Love Song really broke a boundary for me in terms of lyricism and flow, as its much more versatile in both of those area’s. I wrote the verses in about 20 minutes, all of my songs I write in 20-40 minutes, as it’s really a stream of consciousness.
The song to me really captured the emotion I was feeling at the time, which is that “yeah, broken hearts sucks, but I could never swallow my pride enough to take the girl back that caused it”. I think my musical career was really sparked by a really terrible broken heart I got from a girl my sophomore year, and after that, I was really determined to become a renowned rapper, so she’d have to look at be and say “damn I fucked up” and I think that this song is really the culmination of all the steps I’ve taken not only musically, but also getting over that track.
I had the name of the song before the chorus and bridge were written, which were done by Chris Carter, also my engineer. He did a great job with both of them, as we stuck to our form which is a very repetitive, catchy, and melodic hook. I think his emotion on the bridge is also quite astounding.
Any artists you would like to work with in the future? Or are you focused on more solo material?
I would really love to work with a lot of modern artists. It’d obviously be great to work with some of my role models in the industry, such as Drake or J. Cole, and I think it’d be an extreme lesson in creativity to work in Atmosphere.
I think I’d also really like to work with some more Pop or R&B singers such as Ariana Grande, Alessia Cara, Jeremih, and Ne-Yo. Really though, I love collaborating with other artists, so when the opportunity comes up, I will be sure to take advantage of it.
In a few words, how would you describe your style of music?
melodic, catchy, deep, lyrical, and mainstream but unique.
Now, out highlight question! What is your definition on Underground Hip Hop?
I think that Underground Hip Hop is a pretty unique term that can mean a lot of different things to different people. To me, I think it means any Hip-Hop that has not been discovered by the mainstream market or has a small but dedicated following
Drop some links to where peeps can get more of your music.
You can check out my website at www.nadielofficial.com and get a free copy of my first single, Neighbors.
My soundcloud is https://soundcloud.com/nadiel-2
my twitter is twitter.com/nadielofficial
my Facebook is facebook.com/nadielofficial
and my handle on Instagram is @nadielofficial
Lastly, any shout outs or people who you would like to give thanks to who help your movement?
Yes. Definitely a shout out to my engineer Chris Carter, who has helped me grow leaps and bounds as an artist, and all the guys over at DottedMusic for all their dedication to growing my brand.
