By: Todd “DG” Davis
Rapindustry.com
Having been featured on the Statik Selektah laced “Money Motivation,” taken from the deluxe version of Paul Wall and Termanology’s 2023 collaborative album, Start, Finish, Repeat, released last November, Nim K. returns with the first single, “Living My Best Life,” produced by Jake One and also featuring Term, from The Bay State representative’s still forthcoming debut solo collection. We recently caught up with her to talk the project and more..
Let’s hop right into this latest entry / video, “Living My Best Life” featuring Termanology — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?
It was all a happy accident. Term told me to pull up to the studio and that he had something exciting to share. When I pulled up, he showed me a fire beat and he told me it was a Jake One beat! We wrote our verses on the spot, and the rest is history!!
What particular string of events actually led to your initial linking up with the aforementioned Termanology and eventual inking to / with his ST. Records boutique imprint?
Being from the 978 myself, I’ve always heard Terms name. We officially met at the “Elevated Vibez Showcase” in Lowell, curated by “Ariana Rose.” It was a brief meeting, but then I started performing “OD” and getting my name out there. We would meet again at “Keith Writes Music’s” Showcase. This is where I would have the opportunity to open up for Term and perform in front of him for the first time. He shouted me out during his set, and a few months later he would present his belief in me and we agreed on the deal that would change the trajectory of my standing in the underground Hip Hop community.
As a songwriter, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from real life experiences and the beauty in the struggle. I’ve been writing songs / poems / raps since I could remember. I’ve always used it as a healthy way to express my feelings and share my common struggles with the world.
Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Nim K.?
My father is a musician, singer / songwriter, MC, producer, and my mother is a music lover, so I was raised in the studio. I can’t remember a time where music wasn’t present in my life. By the time I was 11, I would pass up offers to go to the beach, getting ice cream, and even trips to amusement parks to sit in my room, print out lyrics and study music of all kinds from Nina Simone to 50 Cent. As far as “Nim K.” Is concerned, she came later. Nim K. was born at the end of 2020. I lost a lot of people that year. The unraveling of what we once knew scared me. With the passing of my grandmother – one of my biggest supporters – I felt like it was the time to take this journey seriously and follow my passion. I haven’t looked back since.
Now where exactly do you hail from? And growing up there, who all else did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
I grew up in a town in the NorthShore of Massachusetts called Peabody. As far as growing up, I was very close to my family and didn’t have many friends. I was sort of a loner, but didn’t mind that at all. As far as musical influences went, Peabody wasn’t really known for music. It wasn’t really known for anything. At that time though growing up, I was obsessed with Michael Jackson and Destiny’s Child / Beyoncé specifically. I would always say I would hope to grace stages the way she does one day. As I got older, I gravitated towards T-Pain, Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna.
In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?
My overall sound I would say is unique because it’s so versatile. I listen to all types of music and pay homage to all the greats who came before me. You can hear their influences throughout my music, but overall I would classify it as a Melodic / Hip Hop Fusion. I go somewhere amongst the stars when I make music; only a place I know. It’s my safe place and in some ways I want that shared with my audience so they have somewhere safe to call their own, too.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
What a perfect segueway from my last answer. I want the people to know they aren’t alone. We are all hurting, but we can always find beauty in that hurt. Just because you are in pain today doesn’t mean tomorrow has to go to waste. I want people to know it is okay to feel, and that feeling is necessary to heal. I want to sonically heal people with my music. I want them to feel refreshed, motivated and lighter after listening to my music.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Definitely Erykah Badu! She is one of my biggest inspirations, not only as an artist but a human being. She always has something so profound to say, but there is a simplicity and rawness about it. I just love how she represents femininity. Working with her would be life changing and liberating. I feel like I could learn so much from her.
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
I was just asked this the other day!
…I would love to perform at the Super Bowl. My birthday being February 6th, the Super Bowl has always been a big part of my life. Those performances are always larger than life and so amazing; they always give me the chills. I would love to be able to put together a show in that setting.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of music?
Yes, I am, but also no at the same time. I think the idea of originality is starting to take heed, but I wish people would stop being so lazy about the way that they sample music. The art of sampling has resorted to just taking a well known sample and slapping it on a modern beat. Get creative, think outside the box; people are more concerned with being the first. When you take your time and craft carefully, you create something timeless. A lot of the music I hear comes and goes. We need to get back to the roots, but I see that happening, so I’m not worried.
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
The key to my longevity is that I am not reading off a script. I am not playing a character. I am “Nim K.,” and she is me. I am her on and off the stage. I feel like when you are trying to uphold a mask, at some point the real you will steal the show and people will wonder who this imposter is showing up as the person they once knew. I never have to worry about that because I am a real person, not just an idea. With that being said, because I view myself as a human and not this godlike entity I am not afraid of humility, I actually welcome it. I am not afraid of criticism, I use it to sharpen my game. I make music because I love to make music, not because I want to be somebody. I already am someone. I am me, and that’s what people like about me.
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Yes, with the help of the community I would love to eventually open up a Rec. Center with affordable childcare. I feel it is important for the youth to have a place to go. The children are so important because they are our future. There weren’t too many desirable places for me to go as a child that weren’t expensive. I always needed to win a scholarship of some sort to being able to enjoy the many opportunities that had a huge part in my development. I don’t think that should be necessary for a child to be a part of something safe, productive and character building. So I want to create a safe space where parents feel good about bringing their children that also doesn’t put their financial situation in jeopardy. It really takes a village.
To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
The biggest career moment thus far was when I got to go to North Carolina and sit in on a panel that included Termanology, Statik Selektah, Scram Jones, Buckwild, Marco Polo and more legendary producers, in a room filled with all the musical genres of vinyl you could imagine being sampled, as everyone on the panel was giving priceless advice. I couldn’t believe the opportunity. The advice they gave from personal experience will stay with me forever. I feel so blessed to have experienced that.
What’s an average day like for you?
I have a full-time job as an artisan framer, so I usually get up around 8:30, go to work for 9:30, get (off) at 6pm, go home, shower and I’m usually out the door about an hour or two later goin’ to an event, show, or the studio. My days and weeks are usually jam packed. When I’m not doing that, I’m listening to beats, reading, painting or checking in on my friends and loved ones via phone calls or link ups.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…
I try to treat all my fans the same, and I try my hardest to give them my undivided attention when approached. I treat them with kindness, appreciation and admiration. If it wasn’t for my supporters and fans, my music couldn’t possibly reach all the people it does…so I try to give them a personal heartfelt experience whenever I can, but I do not and will not put up with them not respecting my time and space. I can give some of myself, but I do have boundaries and am adamant about not letting them cross those boundaries.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
My favorite part is connecting and the collaborations. I would have never met half of the people I know today if it wasn’t for music. I’m painfully shy, and due to me being Autistic, Dyslexic and having Synesthesia, it’s hard for me to be social and network, but through music I find myself in spaces I wouldn’t have the courage to enter otherwise. That being said, the involuntary interaction is also my least favorite part for the same reasons, ironically. I am happy that music has made me step out of my comfort zone, but being out of that comfort zone can also lead to a perception of me that is false due to my disorders being on the inside and not very visible to the typical person.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
I would say be yourself. Make music that makes you happy. It’s okay to be inspired, but you don’t have to be like anyone else. Maybe you won’t feel the love and appreciation immediately, but once “your” people catch on, holding onto those morals and always being true to yourself pays off. Being unapologetically you is your super power, remember that.
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
I see myself still making music. I hope to be performing internationally, and being in a position where I can help other artists the way Term has helped me.
As for the immediate, what’s next for Nim K.?
And for my next trick…hahaha! I play too much, but seriously my next move will be giving the world a classic album. I only have a few singles out and have never made a project, so I am excited to finally give my fan-base a real piece of me.
Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
No, you pretty much covered all the bases.
Lastly, any “parting” words for our readers?
Love yourself. I didn’t always love myself the way I do now. You get further when you have that love and belief in yourself. Remember, there is only one you!
