First off, just want to thank you for participating in this edition of Infidel Interviews. Could you start off by giving a little information about you to the audience? Whatever you feel comfortable with, but name, age, and where you live would be pretty standard? I currently live in Broward (Irma Reps Up), birth name is Trey and I'm 25 (birthday soon). My stage name is nAvvvi pronounced nah-vee. How do you enjoy where you live? Is there a vibrant music community where you are? Would you say you find that your local scene influences your attitude and/or creativity? I hate it, Florida musicians are mostly full of themselves and money hungry. No one is in it for the art down here which directly influences my art because all I do is talk shit about them or I get directly effected by it which drags into my sanity and depression often which I speak about excessively. What do you feel separates your music from the rest of the music in the Hip-Hop music scene?
That's up to everyone else to decide but I put a lot of focus on being different. My sound is a clean mesh of modern Death Metal and Trap style hip hop.
The interview continues after this video, and all further streaming content & pictures...
What would you say are your favorite themes and topics that inspire you to compose? What draws you to those themes?
Sadness, comedy and anger seem to be a recurring theme in my music. I tend to always stray around those mentalities sadly and when I try to jump out of those themes I just end up making shitty music. I try my hardest to implant any kind of humor into my music to give it a lighter touch because I'm often talking about suicide, murder and depression and no one wants to hear a white kid cry about how unhappy he is for every song extending to 2-3 minutes.
When it comes to your musical self and your real world self, would you say that their is a separation? Do you find yourself getting into a character or mindset when you create, or do you find your music is a representation of your day to day self?
I make a heavy effort to stay myself everywhere I go including with my music. There is no separation with me and my music. I'm just as humorous (borderline cringe) and angry in person as I am in my music, but maybe a little less angry. Haha When you first started making music, was there a particular sound or artistic/musical influence that you would say was your biggest inspiration to start pursuing the creative path yourself?
I've been making music since I was in grade school and I often jumped from death metal/grind core bands to indie alternative rock. I didn't even get into hip-hop until my early 20s but I knew as soon as I got a taste to be the front man instead of playing drums or guitar that it was the right path for me. If anyone is curious on what band I was in look up "The Suit Swingers" on Spotify or Bandcamp we made a whole album before the band split up and it's to date one of my favorite bands I've been apart of they are all great people who make great music. So much has been said, and it sometimes feel that every word combination has every been taken. As a lyricist myself I know the pain of how hard it can be to articulate something in a way that is both engaging to the audience and uniquely artist. How do you find inspiration for your lyrical poetry?
Day to day life is the most gratifying thing you can put on paper. Someone, somewhere is going through the same situation you are even if that situation is being rich and famous and the artist wants to highlight that. Myself, I refuse to speak on topics I'm not in like money, gang affiliation, etc because I've never done those things. I've barely even done any drugs because FUCK THAT.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your musical career?
Staying persistent and not wanting to shove drills down other artists necks whether they are promoters or rappers. Have you had any particular moment(s) that you would like to share, that you would consider to be a crowning achievement in your musical career so far, or moments that you would say truly continue to inspire you to pursue your artistic path?
Getting a video on Haunxr was defiantly something I take pride in since I told myself I would at the beginning of the year and I did. Other than that I take pride in the support from fans I've gotten. Nothing feels better than people finding me on media I don't advertise and messaging me telling me I'm their favorite artist or they love me. It's feels fantastic and makes me feel warm and fuzzy that anyone would give a rats ass about my music. When it comes to fan and critic feedback, how much do you take it to heart, and how much do you feel it evolves, pushes, or holds your sound in place? Do you feel that the personal response and interaction in the live environment, and the subsequent positive press you've regarding both your live and recorded music has consciously encouraged you to do things a certain way?
I like to think that I'm very in my own head about my position in the lane, meaning I won't really care if someone tells me how I should make music. However, I am open to feedback and I take all criticism easily whether it's positive or negative. It's near impossible to offend me and my work, so quit trying.
For fans who have not seen you yet, when it comes to your live show, how would you describe yourself thematically and visually? Are you an energy and audience driven band in the live atmosphere? Or would you consider yourself to be more thematic or presentation oriented?
The amount of energy I bring to my live performance is insane. I have never done a show and had people stay still while watching me on stage. Every show I play I get a moshpit going even if it's random people and every show I have people approach me afterwords telling me it was insane. I crack jokes on stage constantly making fun of myself and the crowd on top of running back and forth on the stage attempting to give any energy to the crowd as much as they give me. I can also mention that I refuse to rap over my voice while on stage, if you are a rapper and you do that while being on the same stage as I am or was I WILL NOT respect you. Fucking try harder you lazy ass musicians. If you could play any anywhere, with anyone, in the world, dead or alive, who and where would it be?
Isiah Rashad would be dope because I love his music but our sounds wouldn't mesh very well on paper for a live performance. But it would defiantly be ideal to share the stage with Pouya, $uicideboy$, Denzel Curry or any other Broward/Miami legends that I look up to musically at the moment.
Playing live shows, recording new tracks, attempting to go live the life that gives you the experiences that inspires it all... it can be difficult to balance the time. Do you have any particular methods that you use to keep yourself focused or balanced in your direction?
I play video games to sooth my mind because I handle everything on a daily basis. A big help is making a set schedule and sticking by it. Having persistence is key. Would you say that your choice to pursue music has changed your life since you started? Would you say that creativity has evolved you spiritually, emotionally, or logically?
I've been doing this shit since day 1 so nothing has changed to much but defiantly being in the rap game has emotionally drained me because attempting to work with artists who don't give two shits about their own lives is extremely frustrating and awkwardly common. It is however very satisfying when I find great artists in the haystack who provide the best work to work with to date like Spell Jordan, Cyka, Wac and my buddy Theory from Orlando. reps What do you see in the near, and far, future for your creative output?
Expect to see more of my dumb ass face. Don't for a second think that I'm not working because I always am. Do you have any other musical projects that you are involved with, or do you have any other musicians or artists that you collaborate with in some capacity?
As of now me and my buddy Spell Jordan (look him up) have made a collaboration project together and we name ourselves DripCa$t. We combine fast flows on insane production and we're in talks for season 2. Keep a tight eye for that coming up, it just might shake your house more than Irma is about to shake mine. If you could collaborate with any musician or artist, dead or alive, who would it be? And what in particular draws you to want to collaborate with them?
Prince, only because he would fucking hate my music and it would be a clout printing machine. I do love me some Prince though so he would have to suck it up and deal with it. Outside of Hip-Hop, what other genres could you see yourself composing music in? Or should I say, do you see yourself inspired by?
Most people answer this question with "i listen to everything" but I legit listen to everything. Death Metal, Grindcore, Alternative Rock, Indie, Punk Rock, Pop, Classical, Indie Pop, Psychedelic music, Classic Rock and even a little country here and there (shoutout Trixie Matell).
Promotion can be one of the most difficult things in the music industry. Do you have an agent that helps book shows and manage your online presence, or have you decided to trek it out without and mantle the reigns of the social media apparatus yourself? Is it difficult engaging the online world consistently and originally, or do you find it easy?
I love your wording but I do tackle the whole thing alone. Staying persistent and relevant is the best option. I'm always reaching out to people trying to work together and broaden my horizons and gain friendships in the process. Hit me up. Outside of music, what are some of your favorite past times and emotional engagements?
The answer I would naturally give this is "the shit I took last night" because I'm a robot and I can't process emotions correctly. Haha
Thank you so much for participating in this episode of Infidel Interview. Any parting words for your fans, or my audience?
If you are a fan of mine and you sat and read this entire interview I fuck with you, message me and lets be friends. Please don't stop listening to my music, it's more than passion to me. It's my life. Also shoutout to The Infidel Network for throwing some questions at me. Now shut up and listen to my music.
Stream nAvvvi's music on his official Soundcloud:
Download his album on his official Bandcamp:
Follow his activities on his official Twitter & Instagram: