Today we’d like to introduce you to Nomis.
Hi Nomis, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Being a child of a former Motown musician, music has played a significant role in my life from the day I was born. Though I was raised on the great artists of the 70’s & 80’s, I found a special connection with Hip-hop at a very young age. We grew up together. And as the culture of Hip-hop continued to come into its own, I matured right along with it. In college, I studied studio engineering and performing arts. Equipping myself to be self-sufficient in all aspects of my craft. Though I greatly value and often participate in artistic collaboration, the bulk of my career has been self-produced, written, recorded, mixed, and mastered completely by me. I am a firm believer that the “jack of all trades, but a master of none” narrative is false one. Being a Swiss army knife is a form of mastery in and of itself.
I’m thankful to say that I’ve had the privilege of performing everywhere, from festivals, arenas, schools, bars, and street corners to internationally in countries such as Trinidad, the Philippines, and Thailand.
I’ve released multiple projects, which have led to solidifying myself in the hip-hop community at large. Even garnering the attention of the actress, Rosario Dawson, who deemed my music, “Real Rap,” among other things.
Embracing the responsibility of an artist, I seek to provoke thought in the minds of my listeners with a hope that it will eventually lead to life change.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As is with any passion that someone would pursue, the trek has had its share of victories and losses. I am fortunate to have done music as a career for many years, but I also know what it’s like to stop touring immediately and become a stay-at-home father overnight. I have been passed on for countless opportunities that went to peers, friends, and contemporaries. But I’ve also shared the spotlight with legends, traveled the world, and heard story after story of how my art has played a positive role in a listener’s life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I write and produce hip-hop music. I’m an MC, DJ, Producer, and engineer. I first began to garner a buzz when Rosario Dawson tweeted about my music.
As an artist who places great emphasis on substance, and lyrics, my path led me to performing heavily in the anti-human trafficking world. This path took my all over the country and was pivotal in becoming established in the larger community of socially minded individuals. Arguably my greatest offering to that space was the music video for “Traffic.” The video was essentially a mini-movie that showed the very real and harsh realities of Human Trafficking.
There are two pieces of art that I am most proud of. First, my album titled “Rhodes to Rome”. This project is, in my opinion, the best representation of myself and my artistic vibe. If you were to listen to one album from me, this is the one to check out! Secondly, my 2013 project titled “The Wretched.” Though you won’t find this on Spotify or Apple Music, you can stream/download it on my Bandcamp page. “The Wretched” was a highly experimental project where I was blending Hip-hop with Musical Theater. I took three prominent themes of Les Miserables and showed how they fit in a modern context while maintaining the unique intricacies of Musical Theater. Those themes are Justice, Grace, and Redemption. While mixing Hip-hop and Theater may not sound like uncharted territory now, keep in mind that this was years before there ever was a “Hamilton.”
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people who found my music through the anti-human trafficking/social justice world greatly associates me with Spoken Word. While in that space, that became a regular thing that I have been known for. What you would never guess is that I don’t listen to any Spoken Word poetry on my own time, and it is my least favorite part of anything I do artistically. The only reason I’ve done it as much as I have is because there is something special about the connection you can make with poetry. When the lyrics slow down, the audience falls silent, and the message can clearly be articulated.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/NomisHipHop
- Twitter: twitter.com/NomisHipHop
- Youtube: youtube.com/NomisHipHop
- Other: Nomis.bandcamp.com
Image Credits
Jason Encabo
