Today we’d like to introduce you to ill Nicky.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
When I was 10 years old, I was living in Boston, flipping Pizza’s with my brothers and my Dad in a small Italian Restaurant. Around that time, Pop’s got an opportunity in the corporate office of Northern California based Italian restaurant chain, Il Fornaio, so we made the move to the Bay Area. At that time, there was this thing going on in the music scene, called the Hyphy Movement. Artists like E40 and Mac Dre were developing their own styles and even opening their own labels. The DIY mindset was very alive and it was contagious, so quite naturally, my brothers were inspired to set up their own makeshift music studio. Of course, they made sure it was is in the youngest brothers’ room (mine) lol, so I was surrounded by hip hop every day. I used to love watching them create, but because I was so young, I was usually left out of the process. I had a natural ability for finding melodies. So, while all of their songs lacked choruses, one day, I went into each session and added the chorus. When they came home to what I had done, I immediately became the “hook guy.” I had an intoxicating, spiritual connection to what I was doing. I began writing religiously, therapeutically, developing a necessity for it. Early on, I felt a big purpose in music. As early as I could remember, I felt that the genre I was falling in love with, was rooted in love and unity but that it was starting to stray away from that, into a more negative and egotistic space. I’m no saint, I’m definitely no savior, and as an Italian-American, I understand I’m a guest in the house of hip hop, but I invented my name and brand to give as much positive light as possible. “ill” was a word that my brothers were always saying when something was cool. I always liked the word, and when people would say, “That was ill, Nicky,” it always sounded right to me. I decided to create ill as an acronym for “I love life.” I started making a hand sign that literally means “I love you” in combat to the devil’s horns for “rock on.”
When I was 19, I moved to San Diego and fell right in with the music scene. I became obsessed with building a platform in the city, because I saw how much talent existed here, with little mainstream attention. Show after show, project after project, I fell in love with the city that would eventually make me a man.
As time went on, I dedicated half my life to finding success with my music. I had a deal go wrong at Interscope Records around the time in which I lost 3 of my very close friends to random tragedies, all while my mother battled for her life against cancer. I was evicted from my apartment, all while working 2 restaurant jobs, fighting to keep my head above water while I did small shows and got very few listens with the music I was putting out. It didn’t look good for me, and depression and anxiety almost crippled me completely.
Eventually, the accumulation of work earned me a headlining gig. Over 600 people bought tickets to see me perform at Music Box in San Diego. I was rejuvenated by the validation. I pushed harder than ever before. I spent every hour, late nights in the studio, obsessing over every little detail to take my music to the next level. From voice lessons, to business classes, I dumped every dollar I had into my craft. One day, I was invited to write for a label called Legend, in Ft. Worth, TX with NBC’s The Voice, San Diego’s own, Aquile. After my friend Warren of Dawty Music, sent me some production, I wrote a song called Faded. The song has opened doors to the industry that were previously locked shut. As it continues to rise to over 120,000 streams as well as nationwide radio play, I’ve been approached by label after label. Not only as a songwriter and a recording artist, but as an indie label owner.
I’m blessed to have been able to have had enough mental fortitude as well as amazing support to be able to continue on my journey. As I see more and more people tattooing their bodies with my logo and more people being positively impacted by my music, I’ve already felt like I’ve “made it.” I’m so very driven to become better and better, to make a strong, positive impact on people across the world and to ultimately bring a major platform to the city of San Diego, making it more accessible for the talented artists here to reach the mainstream. My team and I will stop at nothing to make it happen.
It’s thanks to publications like SD Voyager, that make my dream possible. I thank you for supporting one of your own. All the best.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a songwriter for a variety of genres, but mainly a hip-hop recording artist, known for my lifestyle brand, The ill Movement. “ill” is an acronym for “I Love Life” and the art I release to the public always focuses on inspiring, motivating, or sharing a personal experience to shine attention on different perspective and bringing positive light to a sometimes-negative world. I also borrow a lot from my Italian heritage. In my album artwork, I tend to gain inspiration from Italian renaissance art from Michelangelo to Carvaggio. I think it’s very important to stay rooted in my heritage, to bring my own unique spin that hip hop hasn’t yet seen.
My goal is to be the voice of the everyday man and woman. Sometimes, we can feel trapped. Trapped in mundane lifestyles, trapped in fear or poisonous relationships. My ultimate goal with my content is that I may strongly resonate with the everyday man and woman’s mind, so that I can give them courage and faith to dream big and commit to their major purpose in life. If not that, I just want to create music that put’s a smile on my listeners faces, or a places deep emotional connection in their souls.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
I always say, to choose a creative career, especially music, you have to be completely illogical and a little insane lol. If you focus on money, the decisions you will be forced to make will begin to seem stupid and like a waste. You have to be spiritually connected to your cause, because after 6 to 7 years go by, and you are still broke, not making any money off of music, what will you do? Focus on craft first. Become better and better, no matter what you have to do, put the money into your talent. You aren’t going to fool anyone. Place the money into becoming as good as possible, build a team that believes in your vision so much that they give sweat equity, and be tactical and strategic with where the music industry is going. If you are still putting money into albums instead of Spotify streaming and Instagram marketing, you are clearly out of touch and you need to humble yourself and learn. Faith. Believe in you, and be unapologetically you. That’s what people want to see. Not a copycat or a watered-down version of another artist. They want to see you.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Anyone can search ‘ill Nicky’ on any platform and enjoy over 8 projects ranging over 400 songs, as well as over 25 music videos online. By following my Instagram @TheillNicky, you can stay tuned to each announcement from tour dates to new music.
My new song, faded is out now on every platform, and our goal is to make it the song of the summer. Call your local San Diego radio stations from Z90.3 to Jam’n 95.7 and request Faded by ill Nicky. We are currently in rotation but are aiming to have a Top 40 song across the state.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://illnicky.com/
- Email: theillmovementcrew@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theillnicky/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheillNicky/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheillNicky
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/illnicky
Image Credit:
@MarkNicolasFilms / @GetLikeCheebs / @RapidEyeMediaSD / @GoldenEye_Photography.
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
