GOODGARBS

Rising rap artist and son of Detroit legend and D12 founder and frontman Big Proof, NASAAN has been showcasing a great collection of skills in music & directing all while shaping his career to be that of and even better than his father’s. On his way to his debut major label project release, which has been dubbed ‘Error 404′, NASAAN has consistently led his audience down an audio and visual peregrination. As he unveils the third single to the upcoming EP, we had the chance to do a Q&A with NASAAN and learn details about the rapper/producer/director and his career, project and definition behind his new single.

BRIEF

Leading up to this point, NASAAN recently released ‘GOATED‘ featuring Royce the 5’9 which premiered on BET and Complex, soundtracks the NBA playoffs on ESPN & TNT. The success of the single also lead NASAAN on a press tour which included his On The Radar freestyle which accrued over 2m views. Maintaining that momentum, NASAAN also had press appearances on Joe Budden, Ebro, Angela Yee, Akademiks and many others.

INTERVIEW w/ NASAAN

“Let’s talk about your most recent release ‘GOATED’ and the meaning of this song to you.”

“When I made this song, it’s funny because it was around this time where nothing was going my way, I was kinda depressed and ended up getting a tattoo on my face that sad ‘destined’. This was to let myself know that I was made for everything I have coming my way and telling myself “Don’t forget that.’ And that was my mindset when I recorded the song. I felt like nobody can stop this motion or my journey. What is set out to be for me, I am the chosen one, I am destined.”

Nasaan

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“So besides being a rapper, we have learned that you also are a skilled producer, film director, editor and more, and the video for ‘GOATED’ being an example of your work. In the video, you paid homage to your father Proof with a recreation of Proof & Eminem Fresstyle. Why was this the perfect song for that moment.”

“This (song) to me felt … not like my coming of age, but if felt like, for a lack of better words, my debut as an artist. It felt like “who/what is Nasaan, what is the best representation of him”, so I saw this as a moment and felt like including my who story in this song just made sense to me. That’s a big part of my story. I did it in a way that felt very Easter-eggy. I did it on the line that was like “and my dad like Boy don’t you blow my assist” and I turned into him. This song just felt like the perfect one to do something like this with. To see who Nasaan is, this is the perfect song from the music to the visual.

Nasaan

“That bar is one that actually stood out. Speaking of your dad’s “assist”, what is it like to follow in the lyrical legacy from someone like Proof?“

“Okay, so my answer is NOT about to be what you think it is. I felt so much weight, coming up from the lineage I do and background I do, but then one day I woke up and said ‘f*ck that’ essentially. Like I am my own man, and I don’t have to do things I don’t want to do. And most importantly what he (Proof) would want is for me to be ‘ME’ artistically and express myself how I see fit. It’s something I use to be so gun-held on until I grew up and realize artistry is a full representation of self, and that’s just not who I am. That’s not the whole Nasaan. The bar is more specific to the many people and places my father’s name has touched and how it has placed me in a spot to do so much. He laid it all out for me. It’s like he passed me the ball and all I have to do is lay it up but i’m 360-windmillin’ it right now.”

Nasaan

“So, speaking on Proof and his legacy, your dad being a Detroit legend, and you spending a lot of time in Atlanta, how do you tie in the two cultures into you sound and aesthetic?“

“I’m more cut from the clothe of Atlanta. I grew up there and spent most of my important years there. Atlanta culture and music created my sonic palette artistically. Detroit is my roots, and I am still learning about Detroit. I recently came back to Detroit, but all of my family is from here. This time I’m in is more of a discovery phase. when it comes to blending the two sounds creatively, I think I do well. I get told often that I am very different from Detroit artists. When it comes to the influence of Detroit, it’s more placed in the humor and the silliness we place in the experience. Artists like Sada Baby and even Eminem, have bars but also a great sense of humor.”

Nasaan

“On the upcoming project, the project tells your story of these two places. The track-lists reads very Detroit supportive, which would make people believe this about to be a Detroit sound. Yet, the title of the EP is “Error 404”, hinting to the Atlanta area code. Talk about that.“

“This was very intentional. I have features from of course Royce the 5’9 but also, Icewear Vezzo, Baby Tron, Swayvay and more. This project to me is what felt like what it was like to grow up in Atlanta and living there, which is why it’s titled ‘Error 404’. Each song is an experience of mine but to bring it back home. I felt like I needed to invited Detroit characters to this world and nothing but Detroit artists. That’s may attempt to blend the two worlds.”

Nasaan

“Before we get into the new single, let’s talk about previous experiences and music. For example, your recent touring with Smino and JID. What was a top memory from the tour? “

“Well, I found a new love for Seattle during the tour. Like I’ve decided that when I get 50 and my penis stops working, I’m moving to Seattle. Outside of that though, the craziest show was Salt Lake City. The energy and the response were just very high.”

Nasaan

“We also took a look at the results from recent releases like ‘GOATED’ and where they landed. GOATED ended up on ESPN/TNT and you went viral on Angela Yee as well. Being from this new era of artists, which accolade is more of a personal reward. “

“Okay so for me it’s the latter. Being on those platforms, and being such a rap nerd, it’s surreal to see my face on the pages that I grew up watching other artists on. Now it’s my face. The ESPN/TV landing is more an impression on my mom and her age but for me the cultural platforms felt great to reach. ”

Nasaan

“Okay, so let’s talk about your new single “Devil to Atlanta”. “

“So, this record has a story to it. I’m naturally a lazy person, but this song was one I had to re-record. During the Smino/JID tour, my stuff got stolen, laptop included, and the song was on that laptop. Assemble Sounds (my label) pushed for this record to be rerecorded. The song itself speaks on the evils Atlanta offers and the experiences I was exposed to growing up. This song is experience of what Atlanta felt like to me in middle school and the culture that showcases the evils there. The gun culture, strippers, gang culture, etc., are just what Atlanta felt like growing up. ”

Nasaan

“Talk about the project ‘Error 404’ and what that means. Also, what do you want people to take from this EP?”

“On a surface level, Error 404 is a play on me being an internet baby, being born in 1998 but also my upbringing in Atlanta with the code ‘404’. I want the listener vibe and enjoy the experience. This was intended to feed my fans and give people a chance to hear me. This is more of a ‘What I Am’ project not a ‘Who I Am’. This is a representation of the influences that have lead me here.”

Nasaan

“Final question, and not music related, but talk to us about your Fashion choices as you have consistently shown up with the brown cardigan and white button up shirt. What’s the reference for this and why? “

“Lol, so the outfit is a part of the experience. The EP is a reference to a company I created, where I am a kid interning for a Tech company and the brown cardigan is a badge of honor for those how have made it in. Even in the video ‘GOATED’ the team of people in the bleachers are all fighting to be a part of this Tech company and you see me by myself at the end. It’s a creative touch I had in mind when creating this project just to give more to the story. ”

Nasaan

NASAAN’s upcoming EP ‘Error 404‘ Is due May 31st and will be available on all streaming platforms.

NASAAN

ERROR 404

(Assemble Sound / Atlantic Records)

Release Date: Friday, May 31

Watch The Official Music Video for “Devil To Atlanta” by NASAAN & Stream Below!