Exclusive | Narde Talks Making Music For The Smokers And Inspiring Her Future Self

“I want people to know I make music because I genuinely love it and it brings me the most divine happiness. I won’t ever stop making music, for that reason alone.”

— Narde

By: Omar Cook

This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is a singer from the DMV, Narde! Narde hails from Richmond, Virginia and was raised by her mother and music, which took the place of her father. While attending college at VCU, she began making music that she felt wasn’t like anything she heard before, and started to take it more seriously once people began listening and showing interest. After graduation, she left everything she knew and traveled out to Los Angeles to pursue her music career. Narde has a sound unlike any other artist out, authentic to her own style. “I describe my music to others as smokers music, very groovy and thoughtful. Nothing to twerk to. Just something you can vibe too, it’s calming, hypnotizing.”

Narde - Lover's Dream (Music Video)

We talked with Narde in an exclusive interview, check it out below!

QUESTION: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING MUSIC AND HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

Narde: I have been making music since I was about 17. All my friends made music and I wasn’t any different. It would be a bunch of us in a room just creating, making music, writing, shooting videos, that was what we did for fun. I didn’t start taking myself seriously as an artist until 2 years ago.

QUESTION: MUSICALLY, WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN HELPING YOU ALONG YOUR JOURNEY AND WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE MUSICIANS?

Narde: I would say my biggest musical influence is Outkast, I love anything that is just downright different and goes against the mainstream. I am naturally inspired by helping others, I am a giver and I want my music to reflect in a positive helpful way. Helping me along the way, I have some friends who are in the same boat I am, making music and hoping the world loves it. Seeing them not quit is a huge motivation for me. Narde’s music includes an R&B and indie vibe mixed with a futuristic sound.

QUESTION: WHAT ARTISTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHY?

Narde: In the future, I would love to collaborate with Sango, Little Dragon, The Internet.

QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS YOUR BEST SONG/PROJECT EVER RELEASED AND WHY?

Narde: It’s interesting, what I think is my best song isn’t always peoples’ favorite. The fan favorite right now is “Lover’s Dream”. Which is the first song I wrote taking music seriously. It resonates in a positive way with love and growth. My favorite however, is “Black Diamonds” or “Higher” which have a bit more somber moods.

QUESTION: WHAT PROJECTS CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

Narde: In the near future, you can expect some very eclectic yet futuristic sounds that I am very proud of. I wouldn’t make music if it didn’t offer a different sound. So, you’re going to be getting a splash of newness real soon.

Narde - Somebody To Wait For (Music Video)

QUESTION: HOW DO YOU GENERATE NEW IDEAS FOR YOUR MUSIC?

Narde: Most of my ideas from music come from experience, either from myself or others. I am an empath, so it is very easy for me to put myself in other people’s shoes and try to understand what they are feeling. That’s my favorite place to make music from, the perspective of others.

QUESTION: WHAT MOTIVATES YOU AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?

Narde: I am motivated by the art of it all. Fame scares me, it isn’t natural. I’m not necessarily trying to be noticed, I just want to offer the world a new perspective and some good music. Success for me comes when I know a person has been affected by my music in a way that gets them through there day or out of a bad mood or through heartbreak or even helps them fall more in love.

QUESTION: HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC TO PEOPLE?

Narde: I describe my music to others as smokers music, very groovy and thoughtful. Nothing to twerk to. Just something you can vibe too, it’s calming, hypnotizing. I always do what I want with my art, it’s also pretty deep at times, I try to stay away from trends and that’s possibly what sets me apart.

QUESTION: DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A FORMULA TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST?

Narde: The formula for being a successful artist should always be do what you love and do it well. The world will catch on.

Narde - Black Diamonds (Music Video)

QUESTION: Who is your greatest inspiration?

Narde: My biggest inspiration is my future self. I want her to look back and have no regrets.

QUESTION: IN YOUR OPINION WHO IS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AND SUCCESSFUL ARTIST IN YOUR GENRE TODAY AND WHY?

Narde: There is no one out here doing what I’m doing exactly. I haven’t placed myself into a genre so it’s hard to say, who is leading.

QUESTION: WHICH EMOTION MORE THAN ANY OTHER, CURRENTLY DOMINATES YOUR MUSIC?

Narde: Passion drives my music, next is love, then hardship and injustice. I want my music to matter. I want it to be a product of the times and I would love for it to make people think. A lot of music today lacks thoughtfulness. I get that music is an escape, but it has the power to change everything.

Question: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?

Narde: I have made many sacrifices to pursue music. I left everything I knew in my life back on the east to get the tools I needed to do what I love. Sleeping on couches, in cars, homes with no A/C for months at a time. The hardest thing though, is being away from my family but technology has of course helped with that.

QUESTION: WHAT ASPECT OF THE MUSIC MAKING PROCESS EXCITES YOU MOST, AND WHAT ASPECT DISCOURAGES YOU THE MOST?

Narde: I love the writing process of music, I love hearing a beat and it takes over my entire essence. It’s like time traveling to a place or time and then from there I let that space become me and I just write what I feel. Sharing the music can be discouraging because the vulnerability but that’s also the beauty in it.

QUESTION: WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AND YOUR MUSIC IN 10 YEARS?

Narde: In 10 years, I see myself having done several tours and hopefully at least 4 more albums. But overall, I see myself as a happy being, spreading love.

QUESTION: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER UP AND COMING ARTISTS OR PEOPLE LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

Narde: I would advise anyone coming into the music industry to realize, if music is not something you love to the core, then it might not be worth it to you. It takes A LOT of work, dedication and consistency. Make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons and make sure it always remains a labor of love.

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Exclusive | Cellus Hamilton is Spreading a Message of Hope Through His Music

By: Omar Cook

This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Atlanta rapper, Cellus Hamilton! Rapping since the age of 8, Hamilton has travelled around the country and a few cities internationally, declaring his message of hope to the world. In 2014, he released his debut album “The Most Beautiful” which was followed by his sophomore release “We Are and We Shall” in 2017. Both albums have peaked on the Hip-Hop charts solidifying Cellus in the Hip-Hop world. Hamilton currently lives in New York where he serves at his local church and tours on weekends. If you haven’t heard of Cellus Hamilton, make sure you get familiar!

Cellus Hamilton - Scales feat. Isaiah Jenkins (Official Video)

We talked with Cellus Hamilton in an exclusive interview, check it out below!

QUESTION: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?

Cellus Hamilton: I’ve been making music since I was 8 years old and I got started by watching my mom who inspired me because she was a rapper.

QUESTION: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?

Cellus Hamilton: My biggest influence is Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco. I love Kanye’s creativity and boldness to be himself despite what the world thinks about him. I love Lupe because he is an intelligent lyricist.

QUESTION: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?

Cellus Hamilton: I would love to collab with Saba because he is one of the greatest up and coming artists of this generation. I’d also love to collab with Jackie Hill Perry because she reminds me of nostalgic Hip-Hop.

QUESTION: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?

Cellus Hamilton: My best project is “We Are and We Shall” because it was the first time I consistently captured a theme. I think my best song is “East of Eden”. My best song opinion changes every day.

QUESTION: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?

Cellus Hamilton: You can look forward to a bunch of joint albums with some of my best artist friends and a lot of new music coming from me. I also want to make a love album.

QUESTION: How do you generate new ideas for your music?

Cellus Hamilton: I usually get high off the Holy Spirit and then begin recording whatever He tells me to say. To get high I read my Word or spend a couple of hours in prayer.

QUESTION: What motivates you and how do you define success?

Cellus Hamilton: I think success is accomplishing a goal you set in advance. I’m motivated by listening to the radio and realizing that these young people are only doing what they hear, which means that I must make a change.

QUESTION: How do you describe your music to people?

Cellus Hamilton: I describe my music as street poetry with a hint of aloe vera leaf because it’s soothing to the soul.

Cellus Hamilton - Higher ft. Chavis Flagg (Music Video)

QUESTION: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?

Cellus Hamilton: Sadly I do believe there is a formula but I also believe God has already written my future. The rules don’t apply to me. I do what I want.

QUESTION: Who is your greatest inspiration?

Cellus Hamilton: My greatest inspiration is Michael Jordan.

Cellus Hamilton - Eyes off of You (Official Video)

QUESTION: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

Cellus Hamilton: The most influential and successful artist in my genre is Drake because he is mixed and is able to appeal to many different ethnic groups. He also is an amazing rapper.

QUESTION: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?

Cellus Hamilton: My music is currently driven by passion because I desperately want the listener to feel what I feel.

QUESTION: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?

Cellus Hamilton: In 2012, I consumed $400 worth of oatmeal so that I can afford to drop “The Most Beautiful” album in 2014. I also quit 2 full time high paying jobs to move to NYC and sleep on a couch where I had free time to follow my dreams.

QUESTION: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?

Cellus Hamilton: The fact that I have the opportunity to say words that will awaken God in the hearts of people excited me the most about the music making process. The most discouraging thing is that I have to be very intentional about my delivery in order to be effective.

Cellus Hamilton - Mojo [Official Video]

QUESTION: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?

Cellus Hamilton: In 10 years I see myself retired and a mentor to younger artists in the Hip-Hop genre.

QUESTION: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?

Cellus Hamilton: The advice I’d give is to always stay true to yourself and make the music that you would love to listen to.

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