The Hip Hop Chronicle

Nino Bless’ time is now. The Brooklyn MC has emerged from behind the scenes and is ready to take over. For over 6 years, Nino has been heavily involved in the Hip Hop scene. After years of ghostwriting for stars, Nino is ready to show listeners what he feels the game is lacking.

Consigned by the legend that is Kool G Rap and worked with artists like Crooked I, Immortal Technique, Joe Budden and Saigon, Nino talks exclusively with The Hip Hop Chronicle about his new album, his relationship with G Rap and his strained relationship with Immortal Technique.

Who is Nino Bless?

Tell us about yourselfI’m a throwback MC. I focus hard on all facets of lyricsm. Brooklyn’s in my bones; born and raised. I’m just trying to bring some quality back into this music that I’m in love with.

How did you get the name Nino Bless?

My god Brother gave it to me. It was his name in the streets. He got caught in a little situation and so that he can live through my eyes I decided to go by his name. He follows my career step by step and he’s proud of me. That’s all I was trying to do.

 Nino Bless - Third Degree ft Scram Jones, Crooked I & Saigon

What got you into Hip Hop?

I can’t really pinpoint what exactly got me into it, but its always been around me. I grew up in the culture. I was Bboy-ing at five years of age. My brother was a DJ spinning Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, and Kool G Rap records when I was real young.  Slick Rick was the first to really grab my attention, cause he was so clear and it was like he was personally telling me a story. I was captivated by that. I thought it was so dope. The fact that I can say so many things in the form of rhyming is appealing to me. All these aspects and more. Plus, its mad cool.

You have a new mixtape out called ‘Untold Scriptures’. What can we expect from that project?

Expect album type effort! I treated this project like an album. Expect a lot of rhymes, a lot of word patterns, hard knocking beats; nothing sweet, clever lines  and that gritty NYC sound in full effect. Expect some of the illest cats in the game spittin right now riding with me. Expect me to push it hard, cause I think it needs to be heard. Even if my music ain’t your cup of tea and its too hard or too street or whatever, I have something for you. I’m conscious in a sense, I give a lot of social commentary and I touch on some issues that aren’t on most dudes radar right now. Expect quality cause I didn’t half ass this project.

Nino Bless - Da Livest

How did you hook up and colloborate with artists like Styles P, Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, Saigon and Crooked I?

Just grinding and basically making sure my spit game was up to par. Most of the cats I’ve worked with from Budden to G Rap to Crooked I all respect my spit game. When I called Budden he bigged me up crazy for my “Four In The Clip” verse when he heard the final product. G Rap thinks I’m up there lyrically with anybody with the exception of himself of course {laughs}. Crooked got respect for my spit game too. He told me him and his brother are mad analytical and are tough critics, but when they heard me they respected my work. He actually just asked me to be on his new mixtape he’s doing so I gotta give him something; we going in again and knocking another one out… him and I. Basically I know the misconception that’s out there how all rappers are extra cocky and all think they are the best. Maybe so, but we all respect other cats with talent. I’d work with anybody on any level if I had a lot of respect for their spit game as well. So my level of talent has gotten me places. I don’t mean to boast, but I’m fortunate I’ve come across the some real dudes in this game.

A legend in the game, Kool G Rap said your a ‘lyrical giant’ and has given you his co-sign, what does that mean and what kind of relationship do you have with G Rap?

That’s like if Dr. J walked up to you on the court and said “son you got one of the best games on the court I’ve seen.” I mean there’s a few Jordan’s running around like Jay Z etc. Lets face it though, there’s no Jordan without Dr J.  Doc showed him how to do it with the flare. There’s no Jay Z without G Rap. Jay just bigged him up again on a new Rick Ross record. He stays showing respect and the reason goes without saying. That means the world to me and more. I’m humbled and I feel blessed. G Rap is still killing it these days now he’s a nut man. That dude won’t stop. He just did a joint spittin in Pig Latin (man who does that?). G Rap is one of the fathers of this shit who layed down his foot prints for cats like me. I’m just following the steps he’s layed down.

You co-founded Foul Play with Immortal Technique, how long have you known each other and what’s your relationship?

Tech and I have known each other for a long time. I’d like to think we’re real close friends. Right now he’s doing his own thing and I’m doing mine, so we ain’t been chopping it up lately. I’m running on two-hours sleep in three days, so I’m going to keep it real funky with you. To tell you the truth some dingy ass chick recently told him I said some shit about him, so right now I don’t even know where we stand?  I’m going to try and reach out to him later and let him know what it is cause I respect dude more than most of these flunky’s running around. I been there for Tech in the past and he’s been there for me.  Hopefully our relationship ain’t get tainted by no silly misunderstanding; but I’ll let you know later. I’m making moves and so is he. We always talked about making our stamps in the game. He made his now its my turn. I would love for him to see me make it like he has.

You used to ghostwrite, how did you get involved with that, why not rap first?

I did rap first, but I had to create more outlets for myself. Ghostwriting opened so many doors for me and it still is right now. I met a lot of people through ghost writing and its helped me stay sharp with my shit. But I definitely always wanted to rap, but you know a lot of shit comes into play and that turned me off as well. Marketing, image, this and that. Man back in the days if you was hot you got on. Now there’s too many different variables. So I was like “fuck this  I don’t care about the limelight, let me get my shit off like this.” But dog that’s like masturbation compared to real sex fam. It just ain’t the same {laughs}  The level of stimulation you just can’t beat it when you doing the real thing. Sorry for the vague analogy, but dog that’s just what it is. So once I thought it was the right time and I was ready I stepped up to the plate. So far its working for me.

Nino Bless - 4 In The Clip ft Styles P & Joell Ortiz

What can we look forward from Nino Bless?

I got a strong team to back my music now, I’ve enlisted some folks to help me step up the promotion aspect a few notches. I think this year you can look for me to make a splash in the game. Drop a few mixtapes and possibly an album. If the album don’t drop this year, look for it 100% by early next year. I’ll be doing a few features on some projects as well. Look for me to do some video’s soon as well. I’m not one of those cats that you hear and see a lot of them for three months and then they take a huge hiatus. That ain’t me. I won’t hit you with 100 songs this year but I’ll give you quality and I’ll stay in your face all year, believe that.

Make sure you go cop ‘Untold Scriptures’ this month. Guest features includes Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, Scram Jones, Joe Budden, Styles P, Saigon.

Head over to Nino’s Myspace.

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