Emcee N.I.C.E Talks To AllHipHop About New Milestones

Former member of A Lighter Aspect of Brown, Emcee N.I.C.E., a pioneering Hip-Hop recording artist, has achieved one other groundbreaking milestone as he takes on the position of vice chancellor at Harvest Christian College’s Compton/Los Angeles Extension Campus.

Emcee N.I.C.E., as he’s broadly recognized, has lengthy been acknowledged for his trailblazing efforts in music, entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Starting his illustrious profession with the aforementioned Latin rap group, Emcee N.I.C.E. broke limitations and opened doorways for Latin music on the Billboard charts. His moniker, which stands for “Novelist is Always Evolving,” displays his relentless pursuit of progress and evolution in all his endeavors.

With quite a few platinum-selling information to his identify and contributions to iconic albums equivalent to 2Pac’s Higher Dayz, Emcee N.I.C.E. left his mark on the music trade. His skills prolong past music, with notable achievements in movie, tv and literature.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Emcee N.I.C.E. (actual identify Dr. Aulsondro Hamilton) has obtained prestigious honors, together with resolutions from Senator Cesar Blanco of Texas and Mayor Eric Adams of New York. President Joe Biden additionally bestowed upon him the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging his distinctive creativity and philanthropy.

In a current interview with AllHipHop, Emcee N.I.C.E. mentioned his journey into gospel music, groundbreaking work on the primary Black animated collection on Netflix and plans for the longer term, together with a brand new competition in Los Angeles. His unwavering dedication to his craft and his dedication to empowering communities proceed to encourage and uplift audiences worldwide.

AllHipHop: You went from rapping to doing Christian music. What was the swap?

N.I.C.E.: [Laughs] There was no swap, only a change in material, the transition occurred in 2017. Previous to that, A Lighter Shade of Brown had already put out a Best Hits album with me on it. Then I went on to co-produce 2Pac and Nas’s tune referred to as “Thugz Mansion.” Did eight movement image soundtracks, turned related to an Oscar for the film Crash, was on the DVD and soundtrack. One other notable was Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Worldwide Soundtrack). As I transitioned in 2017, I had a unique calling on my life. God got here in and I adopted, regardless that I used to be elevating. I had completed a document with an actress named Stacey Sprint cosigned by Russell Simmons. My profession was on the verge, when her feedback on Obama occurred, it stopped momentum, then Black Twitter occurred and all people thought it was her document, nevertheless it was truly mine. I stepped again, then got here again eight months later and hit the Billboard charts with a single referred to as “Tonight” (that includes Suhana Machete) that spent 13 weeks on the Sizzling Singles gross sales chart, and that’s when God stated, “I would like you over in Christian rap, your roots.”

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AllHipHop: Was there a sure incident or did one thing occur that made you turn?

N.I.C.E.: No. I began in faith-based Hip-Hop. The church on the time wasn’t receptive and I ended up doing secular music for 20+ years. No incident, however my life itself is its personal scenario. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve misplaced members of the family. I misplaced my mom two years in the past and numerous others. I’m right here for a cause, fulfilling my  objective. For me, it’s a matter of staying the course. Within the midst of each storm, I used to be making historical past. Particularly with the Netflix animated collection popping out, then my e book. After I got here into Christian Hip-Hop in 2017, I had 5 #1 information on the Billboard charts, together with #1 gospel album as an unbiased artist for my album Reward. No person was doing that I then turned one in all seven Christian Hip-Hop artists to ever do it. I used to be in a position to make the most of what I realized within the ’90s when it got here to advertising and selling. Again then, we had road groups, now they’ve digital road groups, so I mixed the analog considering with digital evolution. I’m within the religion primarily based Hip-Hop world, the query getting in was, how do I assist transfer a style that doesn’t have the notoriety it ought to? I used to be a VP over at Headstart Music Group, which was on Common then Warner Bros. There, I realized how the trade really works. I realized how advertising works and tips on how to transfer items. So my factor was, how do I degree the taking part in subject? We usually break artists on the document firms by way of school excursions and school radio, and I used to be like believers purchase information.

So I confirmed up at completely different universities that had been faith-based. I wasn’t on Twitter like, “Yo, I’m at Liberty College!” Nah, I walked as much as a number of the in style sections like, “Hey, what’s up? I’m Emcee N.I.C.E. and I wish to bless you with a tune.” I didn’t ask them for something. I gave them one thing and in return, they then reciprocated by spreading the phrase and shopping for the music. That’s how I used to be in a position to promote items. 

Usually again within the day, folks used to run up and shout, “Please take heed to my demo!” Again then, the CDs would price you 90 cents to $1. Right here, I’m providing you with a obtain with a code, information capturing to later service the album with little to no overhead. I nonetheless had them CDs although for the old fashioned heads. So now, I gave you my document. I obtained the info and on the identical time, I didn’t lose cash. I used to be in a position to run it up. As soon as I did that, I caught plenty of consideration from trade executives that weren’t completely happy. “Who’s this dude coming in, utilizing our system?” Who they didn’t know and wasn’t getting their share. 

AllHipHop: Discuss beginning the primary African-American animated  music collection previously on Netflix.

N.I.C.E.: It’s referred to as Da Jammies, it got here out on August 31, 2015. My birthday to be actual, in order that made it much more monumental for me. Proper now, It’s on the Kartoon Channel on Amazon Prime and Hulu now. I’m one of many creators. It stars myself, Darius McCrary, Kel Mitchell, Alisa Reyes, Kurtis Blow, William Chapman II, Anderson Johnson Jr., Yo-Yo, Buddy Lewis, Dorien Wilson, James Avery and Tiny Lister. Each Avery and Lister recorded this earlier than they each handed away. We needed a cartoon that mirrored our tradition within the modern-day time. In actual fact, I needed to train Tiny tips on how to rap the components for the rap battle within the episode referred to as “3:10” It was an epic battle too. It’s our Hip-Hop spin impressed by Three O’Clock Excessive, are you accustomed to that film? On a final word, Da Jammies was the primary animated cartoon to have an authentic mixtape launched by AllHipHop and Datpiff.

AllHipHop: I’m not.

N.I.C.E.: Three O’Clock Excessive was this film the place this nerd will get himself in hassle with the brand new bully, who challenges him to combat on the grounds of their highschool at 3 p.m. Translation, “Yo, at three o’clock, I’m going to beat you down!” The dudes at school the entire time watching the clock, attempting to determine, “How do I get out of faculty?” So we flip that right into a comedy referred to as 3:10. The entire day, I’m attempting to determine how am I gonna get out of faculty from having to combat Deebo? Ultimately we battle rapped to settle the difficulty. 

How was that? 

N.I.C.E.: It was hearth! As a result of I come from LA rap, regardless that I used to be raised in El Paso, Texas. I used to be born in Los Angeles. In the event you’re accustomed to a docu-movie referred to as This Is The Life, Produced an d dDirected by Ava DuVernay, a prolific rapper earlier than director, she was one half of the rap duo Figures of Speech. Her first film was concerning the rap membership that we belonged to in LA referred to as The Good Life. My uncle, the legendary DJ Fats Jack, was additionally a producer there, I got here from that. There was additionally Undertaking Blowed by my brother Summary Impolite and all of us belonged to the Mass Males based by Minister 2 Unhealthy and Prodigy Twice D. 

I can rap, rap. Regardless that you’re scaling again whenever you’re doing business information. Solely the true heads are into that, however the true heads aren’t paying the payments. Every so often I dig within the crates and flash on them when it’s time to. 

AllHipHop: Discuss co-producing on the acoustic model of 2Pac’s “Thugz Mansion.”

N.I.C.E.: That tune blew up, it was on Nas and 2Pac’s albums. In actual fact, I simply obtained the triple Platinum plaque for it for 2Pac and the Nas platinum plaque for God’s Son as nicely. It’s a great feeling to be part of historical past with two of the best rappers of all time. It was proper when 2Pac died, Interscope information had us do the album in Modesto, California. Are you aware the place Modesto is? I believe Jeremy Renner is from there, they’d us hidden from all the drama resulting from Pac’s loss of life and the intrigue surrounding his music catalog. 

AllHipHop: How does it really feel to be honored by President Joe Biden, Senator Cesar Blanco of El Paso, New York Mayor Eric Adams and Compton Mayor Emma Sharif ?

N.I.C.E.: I’m honored to have obtained President Biden’s Lifetime Achievement Award, shout out to Egypt and Hidden Gem stones together with VZ Vonzell Washington for making it occur. Then to be acknowledged by the Mayor of New York Eric Adams with a Quotation for my contribution to the style of Hip-Hop alongside some legends like Kurtis Blow, Particular ED, DJ Child Capri, DJ Chuck Chillout, Doug E. Contemporary, 50 Cent and extra. Then from Texas Senator Cesar J. Blanco from El Paso, Texas, who additionally acknowledged me for my profession and neighborhood achievements in Hip Hop adopted by Mayor Emma Sharif of Compton’s recognition..

After I take into consideration my life, I’ve been within the music enterprise since ‘94 professionally, I’m nonetheless right here. I co-own the most important religion primarily based Hip Hop station on this planet referred to as God’s Home of Hip Hop, the place we’re partnered with Sprint Radio now Litt Reside. We turned the primary “Hip-Hop” station within the historical past of gospel to win a Stellar Award, which is equal to the Grammys.

When you consider that achievement it spawned different stations. Now, Sirius XM has a station that’s faith-based. My different achievements embody the First African-American animated music collection on a significant digital streaming platform, a best-selling creator, and I sit on the board as President of two foundations: The iTL Basis (Info, Know-how & Literacy)  with govt administrators Chantal Grayson and Connie Younger Williams, and Urbanomics 101 with govt director Jzhamael Kebulon Ashantee.

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AllHipHop: Inform us about God’s Home of Hip-Hop Radio.

N.I.C.E.: We’re the primary station within the historical past of Gospel to win a Stellar Award for “Greatest Gospel Hip-Hop Radio Station of the Yr” and with that we turned the primary station within the historical past of (Sprint) now LittLive to win a significant radio award. Remember, LittLive has over the 80 plus stations, which incorporates Dice, Snoop, Younger Cash, Odd Future, Kylie Jenner and extra..

AllHipHop: What was it like performing in entrance of 500,000 folks?

N.I.C.E.: Positively the spotlight of my profession, to not point out it was in Los Angeles on the 2023 Style of Soul on the KJLH principal stage. Me, Canton Jones and Shari Demby-Ravenell made a little bit of Kingdom Hip-Hop historical past by being the primary to try this for the tradition. Shout out to Aundrae Russell for making that occur. On prime of that, I obtained to hyperlink again up with my sis Tiffany Haddish, October London, Papoose. Taking footage with the  mayors. It was an entire vibe.

AllHipHop: Discuss Hip Hop in Academia.

N.I.C.E.: The “academic empowerment motion” is rising. Hip Hop’s position in training has expanded considerably and showcases the various methods wherein Hip Hop intersects with training, reflecting a dedication to empowering the following technology by way of each music and academia. Packages and initiatives devoted to Hip-Hop training will empower the upcoming technology of artists, producers and trade professionals. To me, this academic integration is pivotal for preserving and elevating the cultural significance of Hip-Hop. A testomony to this ongoing shift is my appointment to Vice-Chancellor at Harvest Christian College Compton/LA’s Extension Campus and receiving a Ph.D. (Honoris Causa) for Music Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. and changing into Dr. Aulsondro “Emcee N.I.C.E.” Hamilton. Then there are figures like rapper Dee-1, who now serves as a professor at Tufts College. Mia X, a professor in Hip-Hop at Loyola College, New Orleans. Professor Lupe Fiasco teaches at Yale, ninth Surprise, he’s lectured at establishments equivalent to Harvard College and Duke College. KRS-One: Identified for his contributions to Hip-Hop’s golden age, KRS-One has lectured at universities. GZA: As a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, GZA has collaborated with universities to advertise science training and consciousness.

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AllHipHop: Inform us about Dream Flights Worldwide and targets for your self? 

N.I.C.E.: Becoming a member of the advisory board of Dream Flights Worldwide (DFI) permits me to contribute to the evolution of city luxurious jet journey. DFI personal jet service that makes use of a community of 4,000 pre-qualified plane adhering to security necessities greater than these of the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration]; and constitution out of two,000 airports worldwide. As well as, we provide floor transportation [in 70 countries] and Govt Safety providers. You actually don’t discover African Individuals and Latinos on this house. It’s a brand new day. 

Now, one in all my targets is to be a multi-billionaire within the subsequent 5 to 10 years. I don’t wish to do it for the needs of the cash. I wish to do it for the needs of having the ability to construct performing arts amenities round america. Beginning in El Paso, Texas, I’ve made the announcement that I’m going to create performing arts colleges unbiased of  state funding, so that they don’t get shut down.

AllHipHop: Anything you wish to let the folks know?

N.I.C.E.: There’s so many issues.  I’m an completed #1 best-selling creator with my e book Music Launch College – The Indies Information to Releasing Music, the place I train unbiased artists tips on how to launch music. It’s a e book that’s going that can assist you launch your music, but additionally assist you to in life. I apply one factor referred to as SWOT evaluation: strengths, weaknesses, alternatives and threats. In relation to an investor, they wish to know in case you perceive your organization. If I’m gonna offer you some cash, do you perceive the SWOT evaluation of your organization? What are the strengths of your organization? The weaknesses and whatnot. 

I say make that relevant to on a regular basis life. What are your strengths personally? Analyze self and be trustworthy with self. In the event you’re promoting this product, what’s the power of that versus your competitor? What are the weaknesses? What’re alternatives that you may reap the benefits of, however could have missed? What‘re the threats you pose or posed in opposition to you? When you may have these questions answered, you have got a profitable enterprise.

I’ve been within the music enterprise since 1994, virtually 30 years. I understood tips on how to maneuver and I’m nonetheless maneuvering. Two issues. One is for any nice achievement, somebody must be the primary to do it. Why not you? One other one is to, “Attempt for perfection, so that you just restrict your errors.” We’re not good folks. We’re at all times gonna have some errors, however in case you’re striving to be the perfect you that you may be, then you’ll restrict these errors.

And get my new seasoning N.I.C.E. Mix, N.I.C.E. & Savory and now N.I.C.E. Black Pepper Sea Salt. Sure, your boy can cook dinner. Look out for my new TV Present, The Hip-Hop Cookhouse, with Emcee N.I.C.E. Observe me on all social media platforms at @emceenicela on twitter and instagram.