Interview: N.I.K.K.A.G.E.

N.I.K.K.A.G.E. took time out of his busy schedule to tell the Austin Hip-Hop Scene about what's going on with The General. Read on to find out what the 3 D's are and how they might save your life.

AHHS: Can you give your fans a quick bio of yourself?

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: N.I.K.K.A.G.E, the General (pronounced Nick Kage) / Mr.5 Star Flow

Narrator Illustrating Knowledge of self Kinetic energy And Good music for ya Ear that should speak for itself. Need more Google me.

AHHS: Which is your latest CD? and how do you think it differs from your previous works?

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: My latest project is called The Revolution, The Evolution & The Love. It’s produced by Hassan Allin; he is one of the hottest unknown producers in the game right now. It’s going to be a classic album with all types of tracks. It shows my growth as an MC and a spiritual human being. I got the hottest streets tracks, soulful tracks, hood tracks, clubs tracks; I took care of my ladies and the Corner Boys. Across the board this album will go down in history as one of the best albums ever from an unsigned artist.

AHHS: What gives you inspiration and how does that transpire into your music?

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: Real talk I would have to say my family. I try to make fun songs for them. Don’t get me wrong, for some tracks that’s a no no but over all we have a very musical household so I try to keep the integrity of my music so that I can get the proper feedback cause my kids will tell me what the business is for real.

AHHS: Which artists inspire you the most? And why?

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: I would have to say cats like Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Scarface & Andre 3000

For their phenomenal story telling abilities and skill level is crazy.

AHHS: What has kept you from moving to cities with larger markets? Especially since it's only been recently that Houston has blown up.

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: I love Austin; it’s a beautiful city, with wonderful supporting fans and talented artists. Houston has the spot light right now and we thank them for that. Austin gets more attention for the city not the people that live and perform in it.

AHHS: How do you see the scene locally?

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: It’s Rock and Grunge Heavy to me.

AHHS: Where do you see it going?

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: Hip-Hop is a culture, a lifestyle you can’t deny it for much longer.

AHHS: What is your favorite venue to perform at? And why?

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: I like performing in the Hood. They don’t act Hollywood in the hood. If you wack, thugs will tell you they ain’t scared of you. If you can make a street hustler nod his head then you got a good product. I get love at every venue so it really doesn’t matter to me; I impressed the streets already, now I’m ready for the big jump offs.

AHHS: Can you give us 3 of your most favorite local artists?

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: It’s to many but if I had to choose a couple off the top of my head it would be Jay Gee- awesome lyricists, Open 1 aka Lungs- a beast , & The Hoodfellas- ATX’s craziest group.

AHHS: What is the best piece of advice that someone in the industry has given you?

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: T Double told me,” Keep my hustle game tight and keep spittin out the box don’t conform to fit in”. I took that as a jewel so I shined it up and I keep it with me.

AHHS: And a more light-hearted question: Have you seen a correlation between your level of success and quality of hoes?

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: As you can see I ‘m a good looking brother so they been there. But I stay away from hoes man. They don’t bring nothing but D’s Drama, Diseases and Divorce.

AHHS: Any parting words?

N.I.K.K.A.G.E.: Stop trying to be like the rappers you see on TV. It’s already one of him; do you think the game needs another??? They might like you, but trust me, the labels won’t. You’re taking away from their money. Just do YOU. Read a book every once and a while talk about something new - enlighten me! I can’t stand to hear rappers at these shows taking about their rides sitting on 24’s and they got paper but after the show they ask you for a ride home. Come on fam. Stop the madness. I respect the cat that saying,” I just got off the city bus so hold me down”, these cats truly do it for the love. So support them. Look out for my 3 albums dropping this year. Code of da Streets (mix tape) NIKKAGE P.P.F. Greatest Hits Reloaded (mix tape) the long anticipated solo album The Revolution, The Evolution & The Love .