MIC NICKELS

Interview by Kisha Green

Artist and Author

Who is Mic Nickels?

Twenty plus years in the game, NYC based rapper, Mic Nickels, (aka Nickel Five or Nickel Killsmics) has been an inspiration for underground indie artists, with continued dedication to his craft. Whether as a solo artist, or front man for jazz fused hip hop band, Nickel and Dime Ops, this emcee and producer has consistently recorded and released numerous albums, making countless collaborations with an international hip hop crew called MHB which he co-founded, as well as various artists across the globe. In the studio he has worked with several Grammy award winning and nominated artists, such as Ian Hendrickson-Smith from The Roots, Lawrence Leathers, Brandon “Bizzy” Hollemon, Jean Baylor, and more. He has made hundreds of performances, carrying a weekly residency at Smoke Jazz Club in Manhattan for over eight years, and appeared in venues across the United States and in Europe, opening for acts such as Pitbull, Gregory Porter, Jeru the Damaja, The Alkaholiks, The Skatalites, The late Biz Markie, and more. His latest solo album, and tenth release, Bars for Days, is available on all streaming platforms.

What about the music?

For the past decade Mic Nickels has focused most of his creative energy on writing with Nickel and Dime Ops, recording three albums with the band during this time. His latest release, Bars for Days, which bares the same title as his upcoming autobiography, is a return to the rapper’s roots in traditional beats and rhymes style hip hop. Mostly boom bap in nature, the album also dabbles in contemporary sound. Nickels’ goal being to exemplify lyrical prowess over both styles of production to prove a point, that hip hop music with substance is possible on all sides of the genre’s spectrum. To achieve his vision Nickels brought in engineering legend Al Machera to oversee the project, which was recorded and mixed at the world famous Westlake Studio in Los Angeles. Contributions were made by beat makers from around the U.S. and Europe, including Grammy award winning Brandon “Bizzy” Hollemon, and boom bap luminaries such as Colombeyond, Mr. Cord, and Kiza. Blazing collaborations with Method Man, Timbo King, and others help solidify the notion that Mic Nickels indeed deserves to be considered amongst the lyrically elite.

What about the book?

In this generational time capsule, Mic Nickels vividly describes his experiences growing up alongside the hip hop revolution, and into the dawn of the Information Age. From his early struggles being raised by a single mother affected by the eighties drug epidemic, to his coming of age experiences pur suing a career as a rapper and musician, to his travels to exotic destinations like Egypt, Peru, Japan, and Cuba, Nickels provides brilliantly lucid glimpses in time, which dance along the entire scale of the emotional spectrum.

Bars for Days is an inspiring human interest story which encapsulates the relentless drive and perseverance of an aspiring musician, as he moves through various social circles while bartending at a comedy club in Miami, and later a jazz club in New York City. Interactions with celebrities and emcees from the underground hip hop community, as Nickels makes his ascent into the music industry, add up to entertaining anecdotes. But the true heart of the story lies in his deep commitment to family. Faced with improbable odds upon becoming a long distance father, as well as experiences of unexpected loss, there is a profound sense of authenticity revealed by Nickels, as he describes the difficulties of balancing between his personal life and his career.

Commentary on social and geopolitical topics such as 9/11, hip hop’s correlation with racism in America, and the rise of Covid-19, makes Bars for Days more than just another entertainer’s memoir. There is a sense of importance embedded in the poetic words of Mic Nickels, which transcends beyond our contemporary lens. As the narrative drifts from humorous moments, to deep emotionally charged circumstances, into illustrations of human triumph, what emerges is an uplifting tale that will provide hope for generations to come.

KG: How do you write your songs? Describe your writing life and how long does this process take.

MN: For me, writing songs usually starts with the music. Whether I produce the beat myself, or someone gives it to me, I always take time up front to absorb what the music is communicating. Once I interpret that message, I start to adapt my lyrics accordingly. After I choose a beat, I get kind of obsessive about the song until it’s done. Sometimes I write an entire song in one sitting, but usually I take a few days. I’m often walking or driving around, while writing in my head, typing bars into the notes in my phone.

KG: When did you fall in love with hip hop?

MN: Hip hop culture and I have been intertwined as long as I remember. Growing up in the 80’s, I used to watch breakers out in the streets, and all of the older heads in my neighborhood carried around boom boxes, playing The Fat Boys, BDP, Newcleus, and others. You really had no choice but to like rap in my neighborhood, if you didn’t you were an outcast. But I loved it out the gate. I remember hearing Whodini, “The Freaks Come Out at Night,” when I was very little. I was immediately drawn to it.

KG: Who in the this industry do you admire?

MN: I tend to admire true lyricists. Those who push the envelope lyrically, and also in terms of rhyme scheme. Lately I’ve been on a DOOM kick. But I love artists who maintain their integrity throughout their careers. In terms of being an industry icon who made strong business moves, I got to big up Nas. Some purest might say there have been some questionable moments in his career, but I really respect the longevity at that level, and the fact that he is really still expanding as an artist. But I love listening to Sean Price, Black Thought, Mos and Talib Kweli, I just really respect artists who maintain their integrity throughout their careers. In terms of being an industry icon who made strong business moves, I got to big up Nas. Some purest might say there have been some questionable moments in his career, but I really respect the longevity at that level, and the fact that he is really still expanding as an artist.

KG:Where do you get inspiration for your songs?

MN: Like I alluded to earlier, it’s the music itself that inspires me most. But in terms of what I choose to talk about, I guess you can say I am an observer of the human condition. The oppression of people, not just in this country, but around the world, motivates me. Racial injustice, police brutality, mass shootings, war, pandemics, we have a lot going on that we are all dealing with. There is also an epidemic of personal psychological freedom being self-restricted, which I have always been keen to bring awareness to. The majority of people are merely shells of themselves, not living their lives to fullest, doing the things they dream of, or being their true selves in public, because society or family taught them it’s not ok to be this way. Conformity is a plague.

KG: What is your proudest moment in your career?

MN: There have been a lot of amazing moments, making a song with Method Man is definitely top of the list. But there is also publishing my book which has been a really special achievement for me. And of course all that I accomplished with Nickel and Dime Ops has been surreal, from the 8 year residency at Smoke Jazz Club, to performing in places like the Blue Note, SOBs, and being flown out to Athens, Greece to perform at a major festival. What a wild ride it has really all been!

KG: What’s the best advice that was given to you ? Would you in return give it to an aspiring artist?

MN: I’ve befriended many great performers over the years and they all offer different perspectives. Christopher “Kid” Reid told me, “Whatever you do, just keep going, the rest will come.” Dane Cook said, “Figure out exactly what it is that you are, and then become the biggest cartoon version of that.” Johnny O’Neal told me, “Just be consistent, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable on stage. They love that.” All of this resonated with me. I always tell upcoming artists, “Get yourself some recording equipment and just start writing and recording everyday. This way you can listen to yourself and figure out what you need to do to get better. Also, you really just need to do this because you love it, because you need to create or you don’t feel good about yourself. If you are in this for the money and the fame you are doing this for the wrong reasons.”

KG: Define what is success to you.

MN: Success is as simple as achieving your goals. If you set out to do something and you did it, you have succeeded. Personally, I have found success to the extent that my artistry is respected by many, and I have a lot of people tell me all the time that I inspire them. I’ve put out tons of music and performed all over. But I am still reaching for more. I want to reach more fans, tour extensively, and achieve financial independence solely from doing what I love. For me, crossing this threshold is when I will feel I have achieved true success.

KG: In the book, you reveal your mother’s early drug use. Did she know you were working on a memoir that would expose some family secrets?

MN: She did know that I was writing about her past and had initial qualms but ultimately gave me her blessing. She and I made amends, and she understood that those years made a huge impact on my childhood and defined me in a lot of ways. Going through some of those old memories while writing brought a lot of buried emotions to the surface, and it was like therapy for me. She did end up getting clean, though, and she was sober the next 30-something years of her life, and I couldn’t have been prouder of her.

KG: You write your own lyrics so how was the transition from hip hop to writing 400 page memoir?

MN: First, I wanted to document all of the crazy experiences I had in my life with a videographer, but it turned out to be a bit more expensive than I expected. Then, when I returned to college to finish my degree, one of my final classes was called “Writing the Autobiography.” I had been excelling in my creative writing courses, and my professor was super encouraging for me to write this story, so I just decided to go for it. I literally got going on the project right before Covid broke out, which allowed me the time to get it done. I love the freedom of writing while not constricted [by] a specific cadence and rhyming. doing. This allows me to continue creating at a steady pace.

KG: Is it difficult to maintain your personal and professional life?

MN: It can be very challenging at times. I am a father of three, and they deservedly require a lot of my time and attention. I am also always on the grind to keep us financially stable. Maintaining all of this while continuing my artistry is definitely not an easy task, but I pick and choose times where I can put in work in the lab, and I am always writing no matter what I am

KG: How has social media helped you/your career?

MN: I’ve definitely made a lot of fans around the world through social media. I am mostly on Instagram these days and I am constantly bringing in new followers. I have also met a lot of emcees, DJs, and producers on social media who I have eventually worked with. The most productive platform ever though, was Myspace. I still have a core of fans that follow me from those days. There has been a movement lately amongst my fellow musicians. We all agree Myspace needs to be revamped! It was just more conducive to promoting your music, with the automatic song player, and ability to post on pages without everyone being offended.

KG: How do you manage your emotions when there are untrue stories about you?

MN: Luckily, this has not been something that I have found my self dealing with, in the media, or my personal life. I do my best to keep it 100 with people, and when you stick to this mantra, there is very little wiggle room for error.

KG: What’s next for you?

MN: Still promoting Bars for Days right now. We are in the process of getting a video together for “El Matador,” which features Method Man. I am also in the process of completing a new project with a producer named Kiza, who I have been working with for years. After that, I will probably reconvene with the Dime Ops, and see about getting us all back in the lab at some point. The pen is always moving. I want to start working on my next book at some point too.

Website: www.spotmeanickel.com Purchase the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LLHJ9RX Facebook: www.facebook.com/micnickels Instagram: www.instagram.com/micnickels Twitter: www.twitter.com/micnickels YouTube: www.youtube.com/micnickels