Proof’s Son NASAAN Admits He Initially Did not Need To Rap: “I Tried To Keep Away From It”

NASAAN has ambitions of carrying on his father’s legacy. Because the son of late D12 rapper Proof, NASAAN has managed to domesticate his personal distinctive model, sound and aesthetic. The truth is, he directs and edits all of his music movies himself, only one instance of how hands-on he’s on the subject of his personal artistry and branding.

“ I’m tremendous artistic, I really feel like I’m a artistic genius,” he says. “I’m a renaissance man, with out the credit score but. Tremendous eclectic artist. The phrase ‘artist’ or ‘rapper’ doesn’t do me justice. I accomplish that many issues.”

With regards to his music, NASAAN prides himself on making an attempt to have enjoyable, whereas nonetheless making stuff purposeful. He describes it as “wild and obnoxious, with moments of introspectiveness.”

Most lately, NASAAN unveiled his EP, Error 404. The undertaking is anchored by lead singles “Satan To Atlanta,” “Goated” that includes Royce Da 5’9 and “CULLINAN GANG” with Icewear Vezzo. “Goated” was featured within the NBA playoffs as a part of a partnership between ESPN and the NBA. It marked a full circle second for NASAAN, given he used to hoop earlier than discovering his footing in music.

AllHipHop caught up with NASAAN in downtown Los Angeles to debate Lil Wayne being his intro to Hip-Hop, connecting with Royce Da 5’9 and Icewear Vezzo, shedding his father at age seven and extra.

AllHipHop: There’s such a dope Hip-Hop scene in Detroit. What was your introduction to Hip-Hop? 

NASAAN: My earliest introduction to Hip-Hop I can bear in mind is standing in entrance of my cousin’s TV, and watching Lil Wayne together with his shirt off performing. It was the “Fireman” video, I used to be obsessed. I’d put a tank prime on and roll it up, hold taking it on and off and attempt to carry out like him. I did just a little candle factor over the hearth like he did within the video, that was the earliest reminiscence I had of Lil Wayne. It’s humorous as a result of full circle again, 10 years later, I began rapping due to Lil Wayne.

AllHipHop: How way back did you begin rapping? 

NASAAN: Alright, so there’s totally different moments. However rapping and never taking it tremendous critical, in all probability at 13/14. Round that point, I used to be in late center college, early highschool, he had launched this undertaking known as Dedication 4. That was the rationale I needed to start out rapping.

AllHipHop: Realizing your dad’s legacy and what he did, did that impression you in any respect?

NASAAN: You already know what’s humorous? As a result of my father rapped, I attempted to avoid it. He had it, that’s your factor. Rising up, I needed to be a pc engineer once I was younger. I needed to be a basketball participant. I didn’t need to be within the NBA till early highschool, then determined I needed to rap forreal. 

AllHipHop: Have been you good with the hoops?

NASAAN: Oh man, yeah. I’ll f### individuals up right this moment. Can I curse? I’ll f### whoever up.

How are you having fun with this rap factor?

NASAAN: It’s tremendous enjoyable. It’s the busiest I’ve ever been so far as music. I truly really feel like a rapper, I hold telling my associates that. Each different hour is one thing I’ve to do. It’s a dedication. Lots of people don’t understand it’s actually a full-on job. I’ve gained a newfound appreciation even for interviewers and journalists, the issues that you just guys do. As a result of y’all should take trip to do analysis, it’s a full-on job. Kudos to you too. 

AllHipHop: You simply launched “Satan To Atlanta.” Speak about your roots in ATL.

NASAAN: I grew up there. After my father handed, I used to be seven in 2006. We moved to Atlanta from Detroit. I grew up there, and I only in the near past moved again to Detroit. “Satan To Atlanta” to me is in regards to the crucial evils that make Atlanta what it’s. Me rising up: it’s individuals scamming, promoting medication, women backdooring guys and stealing from them. All this stuff. 

Lots of people within the feedback had been mad as f### as a result of they felt I used to be f###### off with faith. Lots of people noticed it as me promoting my soul. As a result of within the video I’m dressed because the satan, however I suppose when individuals see imagery of that, they consider the worst f###### case state of affairs ever. But it surely’s not even like that. Me dressing up because the satan is meant to characterize this evil drive.

AllHipHop: I like that you just linked with Royce Da 5’9 on “Goated.” Why are you “Goated”? 

NASAAN: “Goated” to me is confidence. “Goated” is realizing every thing goes to go your manner and also you’re chosen. It’s extra of a psychological factor. It’s nearly such as you imagine it, you’re it. Then Royce man, that’s the large homie. Initially, I needed DJ Drama to talk on that half the place he raps. However then I seemed on the undertaking in totality and was like, “Rattling, it’s so Detroit.” Plenty of the options on there are individuals from Detroit. I mentioned, “Yo Royce, are you able to converse on it?” He despatched it again, however he was rapping. I’m like, “Oh wow, what the f###?” Shout out to him.

AllHipHop: Speak about connecting with Icewear Vezzo on “CULLINAN GANG.”

NASAAN: Vez, we linked by means of… we now have this massive homie/OG. His title is Road Lord Juan, he’s a legend again dwelling in Detroit. He simply obtained out of jail. He was any individual that Icewear Vezzo seemed as much as, however he’s an uncle to me. Him and my dad had an excellent relationship, so we’d each be up beneath his wing when he obtained dwelling. Me and him had been in a position to type a relationship, that became what it became. He hopped on one in all my songs, shout out Vezzo.

AllHipHop: Clearly with Proof being your dad, do you’ve got plenty of mentors and OGs watching over you?

NASAAN: Oh for certain, I believe so. I do know so. My dad died very quickly, by way of his profession. He was simply beginning to blossom and making an attempt to do his personal factor, so far as his solo profession clever. Sadly, he handed. However he left marks and a bunch of relationships for me to foster alone. He nearly metaphorically laid out this pink carpet for me, I needed to take no matter’s mine and seize it. There’s lots of people in my nook due to him.

AllHipHop: Are you hip to the peak of D12? Once I let you know Eminem is the rationale I fell in love with Hip-Hop…

NASAAN: Wow actually? I didn’t type an appreciation for that stuff till I used to be manner older. I didn’t get it. 

AllHipHop: It was undoubtedly an period.

NASAAN: Yeah, that factor too. 2022 is once I began making an attempt to deep dive into a few of their discography, D12 and Eminem usually. My pops. I used to be like, “Ohhh, this s### is fireplace. It’s carefree as f###, it feels actually good.” I can’t even think about what it was like again then. All people has mentioned every thing on the earth now, so again then it was in all probability loopy.

AllHipHop: Was it onerous rising up and not using a father? You had been solely seven… 

NASAAN: Undoubtedly. Effectively…it’s sure after which no. Since you don’t know what you don’t know, if that is sensible. Till you take a look at issues and be like oh, that is the place having a father determine is sensible. Or that is the place having that particular person in my life would serve function. It’s one thing I needed to develop up and take a look at looking back, like, “Oh OK.” Oftentimes, I’m wondering what conversations with my pops can be like, or what our dynamic can be like. Would we like one another? I’m certain we might. Or how hands-on would he be? What would I be doing? If I had a dad. Simply all these questions.

AllHipHop: He’d be hella proud to see you rapping, doing these movies your self. Getting signed! That’s not straightforward.

NASAAN: Proper, thanks. 

AllHipHop: How was that second? 

Nasaan: Tremendous fulfilling. As a result of it’s my second time, however I bust my ass for it to occur although. I used to be working day in, time out. Enhancing, sitting at my pc. Lengthy ass hours, making an attempt to make s### occur for myself. With the method plenty of instances, it’s one realizing that s### can occur, then two, placing in all the required work for the s### to occur. So it’s simply success for me.

AllHipHop: What can we anticipate out of your undertaking, Error 404? 404 for Atlanta? 

NASAAN: Yeah, precisely. 

AllHipHop: So that you reppin’ Detroit or Atlanta?

NASAAN: [Laughs] Man, it’s onerous. Each. That’s why all of the options are just about Detroit, however then the s### itself is about Atlanta. I’m someplace in between each. I’m rooted in Detroit, however I spent all my most vital years rising up in Atlanta. So far as expectations for my undertaking, I inform individuals on a regular basis: it’s my what. It’s not who I’m forreal, it’s what I’m. What they anticipate from me. There’s wittiness, there’s silliness. There’s cleverness. All these issues that make me what I’m. It’s the define of my character, however nothing is shaded in but. I plan to go there sooner or later, about my story.