Meet ill Nicky

Today we’d like to introduce you to ill Nicky.

ill Nicky, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Boston, into a large Italian-American family. When I was ten years old, my father took a job at an Italian restaurant that brought us to the Bay Area. There, my older brothers fell in love with the local hip hop scene headed by E40, Mac Dre and Too Short. The “DIY” mentality was popular at that time, as many Oakland, SF and Vallejo artists were starting their own music labels and funding their own careers. Little by little, my brothers got enough equipment to build a makeshift studio at the house. They used to rap, but what was weird to me was that they never had any “catchy parts” or choruses on their songs. I began to fill all the songs they had with choruses until they officially named me their “hook guy.” I took great pride in that.

It was the catalyst to pursuing a career in music. For the next 12 years, I put in tons of work. First, it was learning how to record, how to create high-quality music that was on a competitive level. In the midst of finding myself and my musical sound, I hustled several odd jobs, investing in starting my own indie label, clothing company and putting my own shows together in San Diego. I hired five people on “sweat equity” and they eventually believed in the vision even more than I did. We started our company, The ill Movement, in 2015. Fail after fail, little win after little win, we finally began to build great momentum in our local city of San Diego. It wasn’t until 2018 that I headlined for the first time and sold out The Music Box. After my city began to take notice, the opportunities started to pour in. I was asked to write songs for artists, which eventually led me to penning records for Sean Kingston, Bad Royale, Dawty Music, Aquile, and many more. After making the move to LA, I opened a studio with Billion and Count Bassy, the production team behind the platinum-selling R&B artist, Marc E Bassy.

On top of his work writing for other artists, I also took the step to the commercial side of the industry, penning songs for major TV networkslike CW’s ” All American ” and ABC’s ” The Rookie.”

To this date, I’ve released 12 albums. My latest, Internet Friends continues to gain more and more recognition in the music industry. I have remained independent but am excited to have been offered more and more deals from majors. I think I will stay indie until I can have the exact situation most beneficial to my team and I.

Over 12 years of grinding has finally led me to a point where I am making a living with music. The fact that I get to earn money writing and recording songs, rather than waiting tables and driving Uber, makes each day I wake up, a straight up dream.

Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not! LOL.

For me, like many aspiring musicians, I had zero connections. I didn’t know a single person in the music world, I had no money, no musicians in the family and it was COMPLETELY outside of what was expected of me. My family either worked on the Train or in Italian restaurants. So, wanting to be a rapper was a little left of center.

After I really dedicated myself, it got more and more difficult. There were roadblocks everywhere. I think my toughest years were 2016-2017. Around the time, I actually began to gain real fans. Everyone told me, “you’re up next” so I really felt like I was on the cusp. During those years, two of my friends died during random tragedies, my Mother was diagnosed with cancer, and I signed a very poor production deal with two guys that promised me things, which left me once again, penniless and back to square one.

It did however, strengthen my experience and connected me with future opportunities and relationships. In 2018, a record deal offer brought me to LA, and it was the best move I’ve ever made for my career. Things started finally happening. From opening our studio, starting my own Publishing company, writing songs, landing placements and maturing my sound, these were all things I had to work 10+ years for. I really had to fight and not take no for an answer. Through everything, I’ve always stayed close to God, remained 1000% optimistic, and continued to work my very hardest. I am nowhere near where I plan to go, but I am very happy with where I’ve come.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
My company, The ill Movement, functions as an independent record label. Underneath the umbrella, we’ve signed two artists, and all of our production, visuals, merchandise, publishing, booking, have all remained completely in-house.

Additionally, alongside my administrator, D. Staggs, I started my own Publishing company, ill Music Group.

Through this, I am able to collect the full percentage of royalties, and only pay certain fees for administration, digital distribution, etc.

The main goal is to grow an independent, artist-run, boutique label that makes sure the artist always owns their masters outright. Thru our label, we’d like to bring back artist development, and help artists create long-lasting careers over quick dollars. The major mission is to educate up and coming artists and musicians to be owners, to invest their money properly and to set themselves up for long term success.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
If you are from here, you should be very proud. It is one of my favorite cities and has taught me so much is such little time. However, it can be very hard to build a brand in the arts here. My personal opinion and from experience, it’s been easier and more beneficial to build the brand in a smaller city.

With less competition, things were more accessible. From producers, engineers and videographers willing to work for free to low cost, radio stations allowing you exposure and music venues needing openers on big shows, these all play a major role in allowing artists to build a profitable career in music.

In LA, the competition is very high and it leads up and comers to becoming negatively influenced. The culture is so rapidly changing that it leads artists to feel like they have to keep up. This tends to strip people of the confidence needed to release consistent content. If you can block out the noise and not have expectations or a deadline, then LA is the best place, because this is where the industry lives. You have a better chance of meeting people that can align you with opportunities that can change your life.

I personally think the best path is, start in a small city, utilize every resource there until you blow up locally, and then move to LA when you are ready to compete in the industry. Remain yourself, do not change or try to be anyone else, be kind, actually do the work so you can learn the ins and outs, and really really perfect your craft. Because at the end of the day, great music and good, genuine people outshine every other star.

Pricing:

• ill Music Group Recording Studio – $50 an hour with engineer / $250 for 6 hrs with engineer / $450 f0r 12 hrs with engineer

Contact Info:

• Website: http://illnicky.com/
• Email: illNicky@illNicky.Com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theillnicky/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheillNicky/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheiLLNicky

Image Credit:
Blair Golden of Goldeneye Photo, Glenn Mattheny, Theory 22, Dash Radio, Cheeba Hawk, Rapid Eye Photo.

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