The Rundown: NUE
Continuing the series, The Rundown, it's more and more artists who are making their own waves into the industry with their groundbreaking sound. As we toured different states when it comes to covering various artists, it's apparent we've gotten a threshold on the US music scene but we're finally touching other territories with covering 300 Entertainment's recent signee, NUE.
Coming from Toronto's Scarborough's area, NUE has emerged to be one of the city's brightest stars with abstract and lo-fi delivery in his material. Coming from a place where it's so many rising artists such as NAV, Roy Woods, DVSN, and more, NUE separates himself by sticking to his anime influenced background and ultimately staying his own lane. It's apparent in his recent body of work, "Iroquois", a project that's inspired by a park he used to kick it at with his friends, but the basis of it takes the listener on a trippy tale into NUE's life.
We recently had a chance to speak to NUE about being from Toronto, being 300's first Canadian signee, his project, and more.
How’s Your Modern Life?
My life’s good, just been creating, staying busy.
What are three things you have to do when you first wake up?
Check my phone, smoke some weed then probably write. I like to write first thing in the morning, it's my favorite time to write, it clears my mind and then I can go on with the rest of my day.
Coming from the Toronto area, how was your upbringing?
I grew up in a district outside of Toronto called Scarborough, Malvern to be exact. It's in the east end, more on the outskirts of Toronto. I grew up in the hood just me, my mom and my sister. It was kind of rough but I like to think my upbringing was normal, you know? I hung out with my friends, talked to girls, did stuff any kid would do.
Coming from another country, what were some different advantages and disadvantages for you as a creative?
I mean I don’t really know the advantages of being a Canadian artist v.s. an American artist. I just know that Toronto is different; it’s the most multi cultural city in the world, a lot of different people, and a lot of different cultures. I feel like that opened my mind about a lot of things and it helps me create. Nowaday’s with the internet and social media there’s no real disadvantages
Aside from making music, you found an interest in designing anime. Where did this spark of creativity as a illustrator come from?
I was always a creative kid. My family has always been into art, music, my older is a painter. I’ve always been into different things, I’ve always loved anime, growing up me and my cousin used to watch every anime that came out, and I would fuck around and draw some of that shit. I liked drawing and anime so the two just made sense, plus anime has like some of the best stories, period.
How do you feel as if these worlds of creativity being art and music help you with the delivery of your sound?
I don't think it has any correlation really, I just like being creative and trying my hand at different things.
You released your project, “Iroquois” earlier this year, what was your logic behind the naming the project that and how was the process of recording it?
I named it Iroquois because theres this park by my crib called Iroquois park and we used to always be hanging out over there and kind of wanted to catch that vibe. I was trying to create something organic and true to me. I recorded most of it in 3 months, January through March this year. We did it all in the basement with no real expectations.
What are some essential necessities when it comes to you recording material?
It's all about the vibe I don’t like it to be too organized. The only true necessity is weed honestly lol and I’ll record wherever, whenever as long as there’s a vibe.
You recently signed to 300 Entertainment, and became the first Canadian artist to sign to the independent label. How does it feel to be a trailblazer for the brand?
I mean, its definitely something that I look at and am proud of. No one really gets that kind of recognition where I'm from. A lot of artists I look up to and respect are signed to 300 too, so to have something in common with them is cool to me.
You’re coming up in a unique time in Canadian music, where you see the second generation of artists such as NAV, Roy Woods, DVSN, and more head into the spotlight of the mainstream. How do you feel about this era of the country’s music scene?
It’s a crazy time in Toronto, man, there are a lot of creative people in the city. Shout out to everyone doing there thing.
What are some goals you have for yourself for the rest of the year?
Im going to release another project before the years over, I’m going to do some shows, get to see some of my fans showing love and continue to build up my brand, ILL RITUAL.
How do you want to be remembered when it’s said and done?
I just want to be a respected as creative artist that brought new things to the game. Someone who always did what I wanted to do no matter how it made anyone else feel.