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  • » Name: William E. Ketchum III
  • » Location: East Lansing, MI
  • » Member Since: 04/12/07
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Speech Is My Hammer...

Y'all Really, Really Need To Hear This Pt. 5: Niles (KOCH Records)


August 26, 2008 | Tags: none

Name: Niles (formerly known as Alias, as previously blogged)
Where He's At: New York, NY by way of Lansing, MI
Credentials: Signed to KOCH Records after winning a talent search contest with Hot 97; performed in NY's Summer Jam; a commercial in BET's "You(th) Vote" campaign; won several battle contests; a possible placement on a mixtape by a notable New York DJ
Ketchums' Cosign: Niles' song concepts are just as potent as his combative  rhymes. He's opinionated on today's state of hip-hop, but his deadly arsenal of flawless technique, a passionate flow, vivid storytelling skills and punchline prowess to boot lets you know where he's coming from - and more importantly, where he's taking it.
Product: His debut mixtape, that sees him reworking classic beats like Outkast's "Wheelz of Steel," Jay-Z's "A Week Ago," and others, hits soon, and his debut, To Remain..., comes later.
Web: MySpace.com/1Alias (Check "Rhythm In My Soul" and "Dreamin;" both are undeniable)

 

 

Me: Within your first two years of being in NY, you've really made a lot happen in a short amount of time: you won the Hot 97 joint, you got a deal with KOCH, you performed at Summer Jam, you're on a BET commercial...what's it like for everything to be moving so fast for you?

Niles: This is just proof that God moves. I knew that if I put all of my faith in him and just put everything out there, then I would succeed. But to be honest with you, it all felt like a blur. I don't dwell on anything that I've accomplished because I know that it is so much more to do. That type of mindstate keeps me focused and grounded. When I first moved to NYC, I just made an oath to completely tear down what ever I was a part of. It is all about impression and the memory that you leave in the audiences minds. My love and passion and conviction for the art  has really enabled me to exude it %100 in performances. The Hot 97/Koch talent search was a life story all in its self. I was broke with $20 to my name when I got there. I didn't know it was going to cost $20 to be in it. When they announced it while I was in line, I prayed very deeply. Because there was hundreds of people in that line and I needed to stretch that $20 out to last me. But the father told me to enter it. I entered it and ended up winning. I got interviewed by Miss Jones the day after. It felt like a dream blur. Summer Jam was incredible. I performed my up and coming single for the crowd and they excepted it with opening arms. It felt extra live because that song is really a part of me. It talks about my ups and downs during the dreamchase, and I know everybody will be able to relate to it. The BET commercial was just me speaking my mind on the political race and how I feel that Barack Obama is qualified to be the next President of the US.

This whole experience has been live, but it has been balanced out with overcomings and tests and with that balance, it keeps my head leveled out. I enjoy the blue skies and the rain, that's the balance of life. But this is only the beginning of great things to come.

--

Niles, "Endure"

 

Niles, "Jessica James"

-- 

Me: You're using a lot of older beats on the mixtape. What made you take that approach?

Niles: It's wild because I never pictured myself making a mixtape because everybody does it. But I figured if I did it in a way that was special and intricate to me, then that magic will reflect in the listener appreciating it for the art that it is. These are beats from tracks that have stuck with me ever since I first heard them. These are clear, shining polished classics that take me back to fly memories of my childhood and adolescent years in highschool. This mixtape is like taking a journey to my past. I wanted to make jawns to tracks that people remember, but they would least expect to hear an mc use. I have never released anything officially as an ep, lp, or mixtape, so this is extra extra special to me.  I took time out to craft and sculpt every song to it's highest ability. Plus, to be able to express my inner most thoughts and views over these classic cuts is beyond me. I just can't wait to release it out there to the galaxy.


The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the writer and not necessarily those of HipHopDX.com or Cheri Media Group.

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