“The more you know, the more you realize you know nothing. But what I do know is how to rise above hate. I know that you know that I know the jealous will always envy. And I know real family and real love is all that matters.”
Knowing does not make an individual wise. Although knowing is a close relative to knowledge, wisdom is its correct use, which will lead to enlightenment when you truly know thyself. With that said, New Jersey’s Wes Nihil has been around the block enough times to know nothing is promised. While on tour in California, Wes felt compelled to bring the cameras out and capture some epic visuals for his newest offering “I Know You Know”, an ode to staying true to yourself and your loved ones. The spellbinding backdrop is a collaborative whirlwind created by Wes Nihil and Grammy Award-winning producer Don Cheegro, which perfectly collides with Wes’s in-your-face lyrical slaughter and addictive chorus that will remain trapped in listeners’ heads for days.
“If I know anything at all. I know tomorrow is never promised. I know it is time to stop overthinking. It is time for action.”
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This will be the only east coast show of Wes Nihil will be doing this year on the East coast aside from a pop up show or two, so be sure to come out and catch his set; he will have all the new summer merch etc on deck, see you there, all the details are on the flyer !
> NJ Urban Art Festival
Save the date!! August 17
“Never forget where you came from or you will get to where you are going. South st Newark NJ brick city hardcore till the casket drops im apart of the block. Mind Body and soul love light and blessings.”
The anthem’s visuals, shot guerilla-style in Los Angeles, offer a glimpse into what life is like on tour, the importance of honoring family and the value of loyalty.
When speaking of “I Know You Know”, Wes reiterated, “If I know anything at all. I know tomorrow is never promised. I know it is time to stop overthinking. It is time for action”.
Wes Nihil’s “I Know You Know” music video is OUT NOW and is dedicated to fallen family Big Rich and OG Tank.
ALL PRECIOUS GEMS ARE EVENTUALLY DISCOVERED
I have personally only heard of Wes Nihil. Hearing his music I can see why he’s had a successful musical career in a few genres’s. Shout out to Galactic Push for connecting 1 World Magazine with this opportunity and interview.
Story By Mr Ceza / 1 World Magazine May 2023
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in New Jersey- more specifically I bounced around Union, Irvington, and Newark.
What type of music did you grow up hearing?
I grew up listening to a lot of classic Hip Hop. Punk Rock, and Hardcore. MTV in the 90s subjected me to different artists and I’ve always been drawn to a mix of genres.
Officially how much work you put out (albums, EPs Singles etc)
I front a Punk/Hardcore band called Razorblade Handgrenade which has 3 full-length albums. I put out one full length album as Wes Nihil “Real Music For Real People.” and 3 EP’s, “The Crimson Twins” produced by A-$harp “The Wes Side Story” produced by Bersurke. and “Wicked Life of Crime” produced by Stu Bangas. It’s hard to keep track, but there’s definitely other singles and features with other artists out there.
Your name “Wes Nihil” sounds like West Nile, any connection?
Hah, no, I get that a lot. Nihil is short for Nihilistic, since Nihilistics were a punk band that inspired me when I was young.
“Wicked Life Of Crime” w/ Stu Bangas, how’d this happen? What you think bout Stu?
About a year and a half ago, Stu produced “Catch a Body” and it did really well. I really enjoyed working with him and when I began writing “Wicked Life of Crime” he was the first person I thought of. Stu is a great guy, I don’t have one bad thing to say about the homie. He’s on-point when it comes to his work and is responsive and easy to work with.
“When you live in a place like that you have to find ways of surviving and I know that Punk and Hip Hop helped prevent me from going down a different path. “Wicked Life of Crime” represents who I am and where I came from.”
Why “Wicked Life Of Crime” as title and subjects?
“Life of Crime” is a documentary on HBO based off the block I came up on (South St., Newark, NJ) It follows people from my hood from 1982 to 2018 showing how easy it was to fall in a cycle of drug use and crime. The environment in this film was exactly what I was surrounded by. It really hit home for me because I know how difficult it is to come up in that environment. I felt inspired to run with that name and concept since it played a big role in shaping who I am. When you live in a place like that you have to find ways of surviving and I know that Punk and Hip Hop helped prevent me from going down a different path. “Wicked Life of Crime” represents who I am and where I came from.
Whats next for Wes Nihil?
Right now, I have 2 new singles and 2 new music videos dropping in the next few months They’re produced by Krohme and these songs are somewhat of a cross-over of Hardcore and Hip Hop. I’m really focusing on putting out content that represents who I am. I’ve got some legendary features on there which I’m excited about. I’m currently writing and recording another album- hopefully we’ll have it out within the next year. I’m always putting out new merchandise and I have a winter line dropping very soon.
“Being an artist can be really rewarding, but it can also be exhausting and disappointing at times.”
Any message for the intelligent reader?
The music I make is based off a lifestyle I really live. I do this because I love it first and foremost- that’s the bottom line. I’m really not concerned with all the money, fame, or success. It’s part of the journey, but it’s not what I do this for. Anyone out there that wants to do music or has begun the process, do it because you love it. Being an artist can be really rewarding, but it can also be exhausting and disappointing at times. If you love it, then no matter what happens in the process you will remain happy because you’re doing it for the right reasons. I know it sounds corny, but follow your dreams and don’t listen to people In regards of what they have to say about your creativity. I can’t tell you how many times people have shot down my ideas or called me crazy just to have those ideas receive the most attention and success.
“Hip Hop and Hardcore have always crossed paths. Both genres gave people some sort of escape from their struggles and released pent-up anger/frustration in a positive way.”
How has your Hardcore band experience helped with your Hip Hop career?
From the early days, Razorblade Handgrenade shows were packed with friends and fans who knew the lyrics and repped our merch. Throughout the years, these people have remained a sort of community that is quick to back anything we do. They’ve always been very supportive since the early days of my Hip Hop career. RBHG is Hardcore Punk, but definitely has Hip Hop elements to it, so it makes sense that our fan base would be down with my music. Hip Hop and Hardcore have always crossed paths. Both genres gave people some sort of escape from their struggles and released pent-up anger/frustration in a positive way.
Very well said. What’s next for Wes Nihil & Bersurke?
Bersurke is putting out a medieval-themed beat tape called “Cynical Sorcerer.” I’m featured on it along with Daddio Smoov (of III Supreme) on the only song with vocals called “Gauntlet.” The album will be out in November, 2022. As for future work, we plan to produce more songs together including a full-length album.
What’s your worst touring story?
Oh man, that’s a loaded question. Honestly a lot of tours have been a blur. There’s definitely been a lot of chaos, especially when I was on tour in Europe with Danny Diablo. But I think the worst was from when I was on a West-Coast tour and broke my knee 2 days before I had to perform at a festival in California. I was at another show and somehow moved wrong in the mosh pit and was suddenly in excruciating pain. My friend thought I was exaggerating and he pulled a chair out from underneath me and I couldn’t even get up. The next day someone got me crutches and I ended up performing at the festival mostly in a chair. I flew home and four days after the injury. I went to the emergency room. My doctor asked “Do you believe God?” She was com-pletely shocked by the timeline of things and explain. I could have easily threw a clot and died, especially on the plane. I don’t remember the specifics, but the doctors said it was a really bad series ol fractures and I needed surgery. I got 12 screws and a plate put in and ha one hell of a scar.
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> Wes Nihil
Real HipHop / NEWARK-N.J
LÖPÇÜK 