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Hip Hop Heavyweight Nickelus F On His Latest Album, ‘Stuck’

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It was his first show in two years, and Nickelus F. and a cadre of other local rappers pulled a crowd of over 600 people to fill The Broadberry a few weeks ago, where the local hip hop heavyweight debuted songs off his new album, Stuck. The album had only been out two days, but Richmond’s love for “Sweet Petey” was apparent by the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd. The moment he wanted to create, celebrating the new album was solidified, and it was in that moment one of his fellow performers, turned to him and suggested he do his first ever stage dive stating, “If they’re gonna catch anybody they’re gonna catch you!”

It’s true. Richmond’s love for Nickelus F is deep. He’s been in the hip hop scene for over 15 years, the city loves and respects him for his unique perspective, intentional lyrics, and passion for maintaining that old school hip hop feel throughout his music. And his latest album, which he dropped on May 11, is no exception.

“The process of creating [Stuck] was hip-hop to its core… it started from a crate in Goodwill, old cassette tapes, and sampling off old analog equipment,” Nickelus F said of the project. 

The 14-track album, which was produced by Nick himself and mastered by Richmond rapper Michael Millions, follows the raw and emotional journey of the rapper over the past three years as he navigates a place of discontentment. “I felt stuck financially because I was back in school full-time not working,” he said. “I was making some money from music, but it wasn’t enough to sustain my life being like, mortgage, kids, car payments… so financially I felt stuck, and emotionally I felt stuck.”

However, contrary to what the title implies, the album is not about being stuck. It’s about getting out of the situation he’s in and tackling life’s obstacles. “Even though the album is called Stuck, the theme throughout the album is I got up… I look at my struggles as part of the testimony, and it’s just kinda like when I go through something I’m like, ‘’hey I’m just living the testimony, eventually I’m gonna be able to tell this story.’”

It’s this level of honesty and integrity behind his music, that ensured his fans his eighth studio album was going to be worth the wait. “I take my time coming up with this stuff. I drop every couple years… it’s kinda like an ode to the era of music I came up on,” he said. “Nas didn’t drop an album every year, Jay wasn’t dropping an album every year…it would be two or three years between albums.’

And Nickelus F has followed suit with his major musical influences. He dropped his last solo album Triflin, in 2015, and the collab album Stretch Marks with Namebrand in 2016. The last time RVA Mag checked with him was two years ago when he dropped the video for “Laced Weed” off Triflin‘ so its safe to say he likes to take his time with his work.

Nickelus F also attributes the time between tapes to his diligent process of making music. “You gotta take your time making it, don’t rush it, you know? Like if you’re gonna get a turkey, man, if you’re gonna fix the turkey, season it up, clean it, stuff it, let it bake slow, cook it up… I want people to be able to listen to this years from now and still be like, ‘damn that shit was hard.’”

It’s apparent his hard work has paid off with this album once you give it a listen, but be prepared because this is only the beginning of what Nickelus F has to offer us this year.  Not only did he drop a new album, but he also graduated from VCU with a degree in Strategic Advertising. He said going back to school was one of the best decisions he ever made and he looks forward to utilizing his new found education to, “make this album everything it needs to be.”

He said his coursework in college has helped make his musical work much better and more powerful. “In the past, I put out good projects, and I’ve had songs that could have been a lot bigger than they were, I didn’t have visuals for them, I didn’t work the overall project the way it should have been, but I just graduated college learning how to do all of that,” he said. “Learning how to brand, learning how to do creative advertising, learning how to use photoshop, learning how to shoot video, work video and do everything.”

That was evident in the dope visuals he dropped for the track “I Ain’t Cried Yet” off Stuck on May 17.

No show dates on the books just yet, but Nickelus F has a lot of tricks up is sleeve so be on the lookout for more work, more music, more tours and hopefully more stage dives from the artist this year. 

 

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

RVA #32: Record Reviews

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These reviews were originally printed in RVA #32 Spring 2018, you can check out the issue HERE or pick it up around Richmond now. 

Windhand/Satan’s Satyrs

Split

(Relapse Records)

In a world that focuses on stardom, split albums are a decidedly underground phenomenon. Instead of elevating a particular artist above all others, they emphasize the community that exists within particular scenes. This split sees two Virginia bands participating in what’s become a strong tradition in the world of metal, and coming up with very different results. Windhand’s first release in three years gives us the first taste of the band’s new slimmed-down single-guitar lineup. However, those who fear a corresponding loss in sonic power can lay those fears to rest — Windhand’s sludgy riffs still pack a hell of a wallop, and pair perfectly with singer Dorthia Cottrell’s witchy tones. They may have given us a bit too much of a good thing, though. At 14 minutes, the second of their two tracks, “Three Sisters,” is several minutes longer than Satan’s Satyrs’ entire side. While the spooky organ textures are an excellent touch, the song’s sludgy, repetitive riffs don’t quite justify its length. NoVA shredders Satan’s Satyrs start out well on the other side with a couple of killer biker-metal tunes Fu Manchu wishes they could’ve written. But they wear out their own welcome with the over-the-top goof “Ain’t That Lovin’ You, Baby,” which ends their side by reminding us all of the stupidest songs on early 70s proto-metal albums. Rattle your windows with this one — just be prepared to reach for the skip button a couple of times. (MN)

Kenneka Cook

Moonchild

(American Paradox)

With Moonchild, Kenneka Cook has taken an impressive step forward, bridging the sonic space between her start as a solo performer and a fuller sound bringing in contributions from some of the city’s finest players. Beat-driven moments combine with traditional jazz instrumentation under a single, cosmic vision, firmly establishing Cook’s voice as one of the most promising in recent memory. (DJ)

Lucy Dacus

Historian

(Matador)

Historian is Dacus’ second consecutive triumph of directness, insight, and vocal excellence. Throughout, she explores change, strained relationships, and the friction between emotional and physical spaces: being told to stay indoors, a small town’s charm wearing off, disassociating the body and the self. Several tracks boil over, with arrangements that, together with Dacus’ singing, pack a powerful cathartic punch. (DJ)

Downhaul

Where We Started

Imagine Peripheral Vision-era Turnover meets Man Overboard — good to some, bad to others. Personally, I couldn’t help but bounce my head while listening to it. The soothing yet intricate instrumentals make for accessible music that offers a twist on beloved classic genres while also making the band distinguishable and refreshing. (SR)

Exebelle

After All This Time

Released in December after a six-year gestation period, After All This Time plays like a true double album, with 19 tracks and an hour and a half of guitars and twang. The album’s beauty lies in that sprawl — in the extended song running times, the stylistic variation, and how multiple songwriters and singers have opportunities to take center stage. (DJ)

Joey Gallo, Cole Hicks & J Clyde

Golden Chariots

(Rosebrook Ent.)

A surprise project from 2 of RVA’s finest along with Hampton Roads beatsmith J Clyde. Over legendary Better Beat Bureau member Clyde’s tracks, Gallo’s always-consistent flow is complemented by Cole Hicks’ equal lyricism. This is a must-listen for any hip hop head. (HH)

Iron Reagan/Gatecreeper

Split

(Relapse Records)


RVA thrash masters Iron Reagan follow up their 2017 third LP with five songs that slightly lower their speed in favor of structural complexity and more traditionally metallic touches than they’ve previously displayed. Arizona’s Gatecreeper brings us some rumbling death riffage, forsaking Iron Reagans’ sense of humor in favor of a grimly intense low-end attack. File under: 21st-century crossover. (MN)

Michael Millions

Hard To Be King

(Purple Republic)

Michael Millions comes through with an outstanding project that takes you through the South Side, with production and lyrical content to match any mood you may be in during the day. This early contender for record of the year is an experience that we all need to take notice of. (HH)

We Call This Courage

We Call This Courage

Richmond bred another pop-punk band. They speak of relatable feelings and situations based on their lyrics — but sadly, their sound does not hold up through the entire album. I found myself becoming quickly bored by a musical style that I have heard from many bands before. (SR)

Reviews By: Hip Hop Henry (HH), Davy Jones (DJ), Marilyn Drew Necci (MN), and Samantha Rinchetti (SR)

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Radio B Drops New Album, ‘Jesus Never Wore A Suit’

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Tired with the glorification of mumble rap? Well if you are like me and grew up listening to godfathers like Jay Z, Nas, and more, this empowering new album may just be right up your alley.

Up-and-coming Richmond rapper Radio B released his 16-track concept album, Jesus Never Wore a Suit (JWNAS) early last month with producer JL Hodges (formerly of Richmond band Avers) in collaboration with Purple Republic, a local audio production company.  

With his latest release, Radio B, whose real name is Greg Carden II, aims to address social and political issues, as well as his viewpoints on religion and how the trust in God’s plan will create a more positive outlook on life given harsh societal conditions. Carden also speaks up for victims of oppression, and urges the community to stop the violence among one another.

“I am honest to my music almost to a fault because I am a very introspective type of artist which means whatever is going on in my life at that moment in time is what you are going to hear, as transparent as possible,” said Carden.

I find this sense of individuality incredibly inspiring especially nowadays considering the fact that aspiring rappers are almost scared to address these kinds of topics in their music because they try to appeal to everyone and not get bashed as they attempt to make a name for themselves. Because he is venting and not simply making party tracks, that same substance is exactly what builds cult followings from people who listen due to the depth of inspiration that the rapper has to offer rather than the sound of a beat.

“We are constantly taking things in and being receptive to the world around us. Everything you experience in life is either good for you or bad for you and I want people to take my music and live with it without it poisoning them. I aim to be respected by my peers and inspire other rappers to either get better or give up,” said Carden.

Carden has carved out a serious name for himself in the Richmond rap scene, pioneering the regular RVA Lyricist Lounge, around town and creating platforms for emerging emcees like Virginia’s rap battle league The Southpaw Battle Coalition to help propel local artists’ careers.

Fly Anakin, Radio B, and Nickelus F at a recent RVA Lyricist Lounge

For this release, Carden recruited a cadre of Richmond’s finest acts from rappers to singers, with features from Fly Anakin, Breeze the Poet, Angelica Baylor, DJ skip, Easalio, Henny L.O., Sam Reed, Nickelus F, and Michael Millions who appears on the song “Grace.” Millions, along with Nickelus F, grew up with Carden on Richmond’s Southside.

“{He’s] one of the best lyrical geniuses in the city with a tremendous work ethic,” Millions said of Radio B. 

Instead of some party tracks and mindless bangers, this project is designed to challenge the way listeners think about the world around them. 

“It doesn’t always appeal to everyone nor is it designed to, but sometimes we just need more music like that. Music doesn’t evoke thinking like it used to anymore, that type of artwork is now limited in a mumble rap dominated industry,” said Millions.

Image may contain: one or more people, people on stage, people playing musical instruments, people sitting, night and indoor
Photo Credit: Fisher C. Reaves

After listening to the album a couple of times, I see it more as a story, with every track resembling a different chapter rather than a compilation of individual bangers. “Cursing in Church” and “Village Proverbs” are some of the stand-out tracks given their poetic transitions, and if you ask me, “God Lives” and “Once or Twice” will be on the radio any minute.

As for the group’s creative processes, their chemistry most simply stems from similar visions, according to Hodges. “The listening sessions and sampling of songs didn’t feel like work at all which made us realize that we were doing it right,” he said.

This was the producer’s first time working solely on hip hop. Since leaving Avers, Hodges has since been running Overcoast, a company specializing in music and sound primarily for commercials and other forms of media with studios in Richmond and London.

Using Cubase as his production software, Jesus Never Wore a Suit was Hodges’ first album that he produced using samples. With this project, Hodges said he wanted to “force people to have an opinion and evoke feeling and emotion through a mix of different energies.”

“It could have easily taken just a month to churn out if we wanted, but it would not have been thought-provoking nor multilayered. We are not just rapping on a beat, we are storytelling,” he said.

It didn’t surprise me at all that Carden was a New York native after listening to him rap. His rhyme scheme reminds me of the old Pro Era cyphers that we all know and love.

Personally, I always find it refreshing to see artists who stick to their roots and deliver thought-provoking poetry which is exactly what we are seeing with Radio B.

He will be leading a lecture on his album as a keynote speaker for Virginia Union University on April 12, and you can catch him at the next RVA Lyricist Lounge event May 26 at Strange Matter. His pride for his city is incomparable and his plans to bring it into the spotlight are just getting started.

 

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

 

 

Hard To Be King: Michael Millions Looms Large In Richmond

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Richmond rap artist Michael Millions released his third studio album, “Hard to be King”, this January. His latest work, a follow up to his 2015 album “Beautiful”, reflects his hometown and draws on local talent and sounds, marrying the sounds of jazz and psychedelic rap to his classic style.

“One thing that most people need to know is, I designed this album for Richmond,” Millions said. “[T]he sounds we chose to use, the samples we used, and the instruments we chose to swap out. It’s really derived from the music that was created here.”

He credits the familiar sound with building instant local appeal. “I think people from here identify with it immediately. I don’t know if it’s just the sound or I’m telling stories, or maybe I’m speaking from the blue collar perspective of being hardworking and being from a city that [isn’t really],” he said.

Millions sampled from another Richmond-native, D’Angelo, and said he even got a note praising the album after its release.

“We actually used two samples on the album. The record called, ‘Black Sugar’ that features Nickelus F is a D’Angelo sample, and ‘Water’ is a D’angelo sample. And we also got clearance on using his vocals,” he said. “He reached out to me after the album came out, and pretty much said the album was really good and gave me a good blessing on the album.”

“Hard To Be King” Album Cover

The sound and the creative process for “Hard to be King” represent an evolution from “Beautiful”, following Millions own transformation.

“When I started to want to be an emcee, I wanted to be an emcee. And as time progressed, I wanted to be a rapper. And now I’m more of an artist. There’s layers to this,” he said. “Then there’s another layer, where a songwriter, the rapper becomes a poet, and he’s more meticulous about the words he’s saying, the music has more intent. It’s more musical. It’s more about, we know you can rap, we know you can put words together, but can you make people feel when they’re done listening to your records. That’s another layer. That’s artistry, I think, and I think this album is me in 100% purest art form.”

In a city with a thriving battle rap scene, Millions is keenly interested in doing a live hip hop album, and structured many of his songs to work for live performance.

“People identify with live instrumentation. That’s what Richmond identifies with. The problem is, we create these albums as rappers that we can’t transfer to, play live because they have these different sounds,” he said. “I play with live instruments and it’s always a struggle to, not a struggle but you can’t play the record exact because they’re different sounds. If you go back to the basics of just sounds, then when we play a show with live instrumentation then it sounds like the record. And I wanted that type of consistency in my sound. I wanted it to be live, I wanted it to be for real.”

In addition to a live album, he’s also planning to create music for skating video, and hopes to work with some of the performers he admires the most.

“I’d rather just talk to Black Thought about music than to get music with him, but Nas I’d want [to do] the record,” he said. “Nas, I really respect him as a poet. There are not many rap poets, and I want to be listed as one of them.”

Millions has worked and travelled all over the country. Although he’s been elsewhere, something keeps bringing him back to the River City.

“I honestly like Richmond. We’ve been mad places, and maybe it’s because I’m from here. I lived in Norfolk for a period of time. There’s something about Richmond. Richmond is sweet,” he said.

Part of the appeal is his sense that Richmond is just about to make it on the national stage.

“I think it’s that thing of being in a place that hasn’t been discovered yet. Richmond is actually really cool, compared to a lot of cities in the country, but it’s just under the cusp of you either know about it or you don’t. People aren’t leaving because they know it’s cool here,” he said.
“Everyone’s doing something cool, especially when you’re in the creative space, you find out everything that’s going on.”

“Hard to be King” is a multi-layered album, with a complex progression of sounds, voices, and themes. Millions hoped that fans would take away one final message from the work.

“I think I want people to really listen to this album and understand that your life is okay. If the sun came up, if you walked to the bathroom this morning and didn’t have any aches and pains, you’re alright,” he said. “Smile more, and be blessed and be happy about the small moments we have.”

“Hard to be King” is available for purchase at Bandcamp and streaming on SoundCloud.

Photo Essay: Strange Matter’s RVA Lyricist Lounge (Episode 1)

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New life is being breathed into Richmond’s rap community with the introduction of the RVA Lyricist Lounge, hosted by Radio B.  The monthly event is meant to be a platform for local rappers and emcees to showcase their lyrical talent on stage and against each other in battles. 

Taking inspiration from the classic nature of hip-hop and rap cyphers, RVA Lyricist Lounge aims to reignite that spark of what makes hip-hop so precious.

Last Friday, the rap showcase went into full effect at Strange Matter for its first event known as RVA Lyricist Lounge Episode 1. And many crews and well-known local hip-hop artists were in the building. 

Basement Chemistry vs T.R.I.G

The night set off with a rap battle between two of the Southpaw members T.R.I.G and Basement Chemistry. The vicious back and forth roasts between two guys who knew each other well enough to cause hilarity that it could be a battle in 8 Mile. It was all love at the end of the day as they were just two guys having fun and hugged it out when it was all over.

Shortly following the cyphers, were some of the city’s heavy hitters. It was divided into sets starting with the solo artists such as Lithium God, Chance Fisher, and Noah-O. Meanwhile, Robalu Gibsun was on the scene doing live sketches at a neck-breaking pace of every artist that performed on the stage.

Robalu Gibsun Sketches Live as Emcees Battle

The few sets were organized by the groups starting with the infamous Gritty City, whose bars that lived up to their name. Mutant Academy went in and AGM/Southpaw killed it with Radio B himself kicking off their set.

Johnny Ciggs of the Gritty City Crew

The final performance of the night was Michael Millions, who performed songs off his newest album Hard to Be King. Featuring songs like “All Love”, the “Ali” rapper let Richmond know what it means to be King.

Though that wasn’t all that was in store for the night, the opening cyphers were held after Millions’ performance and locals who weren’t on the lineup and those who just wanted to spit for fun got a chance to step up to the mic. Copies of Millions’ new album were sold at the venue along with gear featuring the Lyricist Lounge logo — as seen being worn by Radio B and a few others in attendance.

Michael Millions

This is just the beginning of what Radio B hopes to be a long-running monthly event, setting stepping stones for both inspiring artists and local rappers to have a platform and for everyone to just vibe and have a good time.

RVA Lyricist Lounge is a much-needed addition to the hip-hop scene in Richmond and Strange Matter specifically as it is the perfect home to showcase local talent which follows in the footsteps of Richmond artist Black Liquid’s Facemelt Fridays. Radio B doesn’t plan on having Strange Matter as the only location for the rap showcase, but the venue will be the location for a majority of the Lyricist Lounge Episodes. Until next time, check out some of RVA Mag’s best photos the night: 

Fly Anakin, Radio B, and Nickelus F
Noah-O
Radio B
Justin Sexton
Basement Chemistry
Easalio
The Lounge Crowd
https://www.youtube.com/user/VAsPhynest
BCMusic1st
Michael Millions

*Photos by Malik Hall

RVA Lyricist Lounge, Vol. 1, hosted by Radio B, feat. Michael Millions, AGM/Southpaw, Mutant Academy, Gritty City, Noah O, Joey Gallo, Born Unique, Intalek, Easalio, Chance Fischer, Cane, Cole Hicks, J Slim, Nu3ra Ness, Misterelle, Reppa Ton, RezonDaDawn, and more @ Strange Matter – $10

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Radio B has been a prime mover on the Richmond hip hop scene for a while now, and his efforts not only to make great music but to help cultivate the culture and push the genre forward locally have been the reasons. With 2018 just getting started, he’s wasting no time, bringing the first installment of a planned monthly event, RVA Lyricist Lounge, to Strange Matter this Friday. With this event, Radio B and his compatriots hope to “be the catalyst for better writers and emcees in Richmond and all over the world” by emphasizing lyricism and making bars, flows, and wordplay important within the local scene. Sounds like a worthy goal. Are you in?

Well, for those on the fence, there’s a powerful inducement to make it out to the premiere of this new series right at the top of the bill. Michael Millions, who has been one of local hip hop’s leading lights, just dropped Hard To Be King, a new album that’s getting everyone talking. Word on the street is that this guy’s poised to blow up, so now’s the time to get in on the ground floor and catch him live in an intimate setting. Plus, there’ll be a limited physical release of Millions’ 2016 collaboration with Radio B, Tenthsndhrs, available at the show for the first time.

This is just the beginning of what is going on at this show, and we don’t have too much space, so let’s lay it down real quick: cyphers from hot local crews AGM/Southpaw, Mutant Academy, and Gritty City, as well as more cyphers featuring a variety of local and regional lyrical talent–a list is above, and I know you know at least some of those names. Southpaw Battle Coalition, who’ve been making battles a threat again locally, will be sponsoring a tryout battle between up-and-comers TRIG and Basement Chemistry. And there are 15 cypher slots available on a first-come-first-serve basis so you young unknowns can grab the mic and let the people know. The whole thing will be aired on the RVA Lyricist Lounge YouTube channel, but it’s just not the same when you’re not there in person. You know what to do.