Maryland’s own, Nu Blacc Talk’s About His New Album and More

Songwriter, audio engineer, and content creator, Nu Blacc, is a rising star in the Hip-Hop scene. Before operating independently out of Maryland, Nu Blacc grew up in Rockford Illinois. At 13 years old, he recorded his first studio record and has been driven by his passion for making music ever since. In 2020, he broke into the scene with his debut album, “Lost Boy: Small World.” The album put Nu Blacc’s hunger on full display. With impassioned performances set over contemporary production, he made it known that he was a promising young artist worth paying attention to. And it was only a matter of time until Nu Blacc would return to the limelight with a distinct voice and evolved sound. Now, nearly five years later, Nu Blacc has graced us with a release date of August 1st for his upcoming album, “Nobody Likes A Nobody.” And we can’t wait to dig into it to see what hes crafted for us this time. So, in anticipation of the new album, we sat down with Nu Blacc for an exclusive interview to talk about his album, his artistic roots and creative evolution, lifelong musical influences, and his dream collaboration.

What got you into writing and recording music at the age of thirteen? Do you remember the moment when things clicked and you knew it was a genuine passion? So I've always had an interest in storytelling in general. I was really big into writing short stories and drawing comics as a child, but it never seemed to scratch that right itch. I'd have to give credit to the Kanye West album College Dropout. That opened my eyes to what songwriting could be. I was 9 when that album came out, but I still remember thinking, "man, this guy is just saying his feelings about the world over music, I want to do that," and ever since it has been a huge passion. My earlier years were spent jotting down little rhymes here and there until one summer when I was 13, I finally hustled up enough money for a studio session. Since then, it has been my passion.

What keeps you motivated to keep working on your craft? Well, in life, there is always a story to tell; you just have to find the right person to tell it. I think musicians have a responsibility to tell those stories. We bring to life what others often let die, and I think that's the coolest thing about this career. 

What is the origin behind your stage name, Nu Blacc, and the significance of its abbreviation? Funny enough, I went through so many cringeworthy stage names to find something that would stick. My original name was 'Lil Shawn' in honor of my father but that name only stuck around on the playground until I became 'D-Boy' (my stepfather quickly made me change this), then I took on monikers like 'D 'Mar', 'KidKyd', 'Damario Hippie', and finally settling on Nu Blacc. The name started out as just an abbreviated affirmation; it was something I would say in the mirror every morning.

”Never Underestimate Build Legacies And Create Constantly”, I would say this in order to find inspiration just to get through the day. During its inception, I was still performing under 'Damario Hippie'. I was sort of going through a mental crisis, and one day I just scraped all my music, deleted well over 100 songs, and essentially 'killed" Damario Hippie, ultimately deciding that Nu Blacc was a statement that just fit my message better in general. Plus, my childhood nickname was "NuNu," so it was the perfect full-circle decision.

Who were some of your key artistic influences growing up? Well, my favorite rapper of all time is Lupe Fiasco; that guy's brain is insane, but my musical palette is pretty wide. Even as a child, I always gravitated to more lyrical and substance-based music. One of the first songs I learned word for word was "Changes" by Tupac. I was lucky to have a mom who wasn't afraid to play hip-hop in front of me, so I've experienced a little bit of everything. A few early memorable mentions are: Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Pac, 50 Cent, Joe Budden, and T.I. We also weren't afraid to listen to other regional music like Texas Chopped and Screwed, which shaped a really broad view of what music can be to me. I try to keep an open mind as music progresses, so I find inspiration from guys like Charles Hamilton, all the way to new acts like Yeat.

What was the creative process like for your newly released album, Nobody Likes A Nobody? Did you start by writing lyrics, or did you first choose beats that inspired you? Originally, I wanted to make a commercial album, but I just couldn't connect the dots. I spent about 2 years recording these big radio radio-friendly tracks only to fall out of love with them. I remember being at work one day and just freestyling the hook for "Nobody Likes A Nobody," and it just clicked. I wanted to expand on that sound because it allowed me to say exactly how I feel. The music was relatively easy to write once I found the beats; it was just a long journey to get there.

How did the creative process for your recent album, Nobody Likes a Nobody, differ from your 2020 effort, Lost Boy: Small World? There is far less fear with this album. I can listen to "LBSW" and still hear my hesitancy in being honest. At times, it's like I'm holding back in fear of scaring away the listener. This time around, I don't care who is afraid of this music, and that's the most liberating part.

Your evolution as an artist has been fascinating to watch. In your early work, you used trap-inspired flows, and melodic vocals, and projected your voice over mainstream production. What prompted your artistic shift toward adopting more styles: conscious lyricism, a laid-back cadence, and lo-fi, fundamental hip-hop production? In my early works, I was still afraid to tell my story. I relied a bit more on the production to carry my talent, but that's also just how I perceived music at the moment. Around 2019-2020, there wasn't a big demand for lyrics. It was a lot of melody and trap-focused beats, so I just wanted to show the world that I could adapt. Over the years, I found the confidence to scale back the production and focus more on the subject matter. It forces me to make the song exciting with a story, rather than just a cool vocal performance. At some point, I'd like to blend all of these elements, but for now, I like showcasing them [separately].

Your first single from Nobody Is A Nobody was “Dancing in the Afterlife,” an incredibly introspective track that feels almost like a deep cut. What made you choose it as a fan’s introduction to the project before they could hear the full release? My Last Album was in 2020, so naturally, I have changed a lot as a person. I did not want to confuse anyone with the direction of this new album. Ironically, "Dancing In The Afterlife" is the outro so in my mind it was the best way to show my supporters exactly who I have grown into. The album's theme and story lead up to everything I say in "DITA," and I hope people are able to pick up on that. It's a cool fourth wall break for me in a way.

Aside from your new album, you’re also in the middle of a beef with rapper G Long Da Don. With diss tracks like “Bully” and “Victory Lap” now out for fans to dissect, the question remains: is this beef just lyrical sparring, or is there real personal tension underneath it all? I follow the rules of Hip-Hop very well, and I've always come from the school of 'show and prove'. If you say you are the best at something, prove it or just remain quiet. G Long was somebody that claimed victory in areas where it didn't seem merited. In a way, it was lyrical sparring but I just didn't like how cocky he was in situations without proving why. I can only diss someone if I have a personal interest, so I guess the world has to decide on that one. 

Your music is personal and honest. It makes the listener feel like they got to know you after just a few minutes with your work. What advice would you give a young artist or someone who is having trouble staying true to themselves? What are the perks of staying true to yourself as an artist? Statistically, there are about 1 million people in the world who are just like you; they think like you, and have your sense of humor, thinking patterns, and taste in music. If you stay true to yourself, you can find those people. Your music sounds better when you believe it first, so just trust your message. 

Lastly, where can people listen to and support Nobody Likes a Nobody? Is there anything else upcoming that fans should keep an eye out for? My music is available on every major music streaming platform under the stage name 'Nu Blacc', but you can find this upcoming album currently on Bandcamp. The full major release will be on August 1st. I'm currently on a mini tour in the DMV, and my final stop will be July 5th, 2025, at 'Motorhouse' in Baltimore, MD.