Interview with Nironic aka Niro Baits

Interview with Nironic aka Niro Baits

Niro Baits is a household name in the Czech Republic. Born in the Bronx, he moved overseas and his music has made noise all around the Czech. Niro Baits put his heart and soul towards his music and it shows.  He made countless hits from his music and now wants to take it to the next level. Intrigued interviews Nironic aka Niro Baits about his music, working with DJ Wich, his new record “Middle Age Apartment” and more.

1)            What’s going on my dude? How did your emcee name Nironic came about?

Niro Baits: Let’s say I’m Niro Baits. My artist name keeps evolving. My Fam a dread dude from St.Lu named Knochus (dope R&B singer) said that my personality was that of a knight and a protector and it start it (K)NI. Before the first record with DJ Wich came out one friend was joking about something that happen to me and some random said it’s kind of ironic and my friend said not that Nironic and I was like yep that’s about right.

I used to work at Spin radio witch is the local hip hop station out here and every time I would come in the radio station, a good friend DJ Scarface would yell "hey Niro" and that just stuck from radio. Lastly Baits is from C.Monts. I have an off key personality. I normally say things that should not be said and in the UK it’s described as being Bait but in a way I’m kind of baiting people to think different with the music I make. So I let life keep naming me.

2)            You originally from New York in the Bronx and you moved out the country. Has moving to Czech Republic been the right move as far as your music career?

Niro Baits: Yes and NO. As an artist I have had the time to really sit and chill out and find my own voice in music and in production. I don't hear every rapper or new song. I don't listen to the radio all day. I’m out living life, then pulling from that to create music. I don't feel the competition and the negative energy that hovers around music, hip hop and the music industry in the states. I don't feel like I have to make songs that sound like this or that. I can just make what I want. Also having the time to learn how to do you and knowing who you are is the key to really expressing yourself. I see music as self-expression of emotions or ideas.

No because the people or rather the fans are not very loyal to me because I don't rap in the Local Language. If i work with a European artist it is applauded, but it’s a cold place if not. It’s really an uphill fight connecting with people in the states and getting in that market.

3)            How was moving to the Czech Republic influenced your music career?

Niro Baits: Living out here made me see the world as a different place. We hop to Paris, we pop over to London and Berlin. The Fam does weekends in Amsterdam. Now for a Dyslexic dude from Forest Project that shit a’int half bad you know but in seeing that it made me feel bad about the Mentality back home and for all the people who will never see it or live in peace. It made me feel for the people who want and fight for more. Real shit, I feel like a slave that escaped the south and made it to the north and I’m trying to speak to others that are mentally slaves to their environment and tell them that once we start living up and stop trying to see who can be the lowest or the worst then the world is really yours. I did not have this point of view before.

Czech Rep is an amazing place I did a song called "little apple" on my record with DJ Fatte "High and MIghty" and it pretty much brakes it down. You got to see it. I’m not talking on an intellectual or culturally level I mean like the women here are pretty hot and DTF. That’s what sucks most guys in; shit is like heaven. I am more part of the expat community of Americans and other foreigners living here and just enjoying. It’s legal to smoke weed. I was smoking a joint walking past some cops and its nothing. Crime is low they got parts of the city that are a little hectic but it’s nothing compared to life at home.

4)            What is the hip hop scene is like in the Czech Republic?

Niro Baits: It's pretty much every Team for themselves. It used to be more organized or more connected before now it’s just a bunch of randoms

5)            You made countless amounts of albums in the Czech Republic. How do you reach your fan base outside of the Czech Republic?

Niro Baits: There's the fight. Right now we are working to build the network that can be a sufficient delivery system to the states. Most of the time I try to connect with people its end up not being about music but about money and because I’m not paying any one to play my music, blog or post for me it move slow but I appreciate the support I do get is honest. I am very grateful for this interview, so thank you

6)            You’ve been out for a long time and peeps are feeling the music in Czech Republic. Do you think your music has evolved over the years and do you think American fans are receptive to your music?

Niro Baits: Yes my Music is Evolving at an astonishing rate. I get to work with rock and jazz bands, rappers and pop stars regularly. When you are constantly exposed to so much different music you grow almost by default. I’m not getting that market research in from the states, so I’m not sure how they take it but, 90 percent of the people around me are American. Fun Fact Czech has the largest population of Americans living outside of the US. The Americans around me feel it because it’s honest. I never try to be something big or act like a star I just speak from my heart.

7)            What are the advantages of living and working with music overseas compare to the United States?

Niro Baits: Mental Freedom

8)            When did you take music seriously and say to yourself this is what I want to do?

Niro Baits: I come from a musical family, I started to play guitar when i was 14 and drums at 18, studied at queen community for 2 years as a jazz drummer before dropping out and touring with the band Living Colour as a drum tech for 3 years, I was playground rapping from like 12 or 13 and about 16 I started writing for other people. I’m 32 now and I can say when my brother Flip dollars got out 2 years ago after an 8 year bid and he told me that what kept him going was me. I recorded a song called Blood on the first record with Wich and it was basically his life story up to that point. When he was in he got the Idea of creating Slick talkers and when he got out he came to me and said I want you to run this. You have been doing music you know what’s up. At that moment I think about 2 years ago was when I started to really take it to heart. That was when we started building our own team and the people we work with now. I am really grateful for them and each member of the Slick talker Fam in the States and Europe is a blessing.

9)            As an emcee, what talents do you look for in another artist or in a producer?

Niro Baits: LOVE! I Love to work with people who are creative and really care about the music they create. Not about the money or the bitches or whatever but the people who care about working and moving ahead and living their dreams. That’s the most important quality because when you love something you fight for it and you keep it pure. In my time in strop I have had the time to learn to learn my craft from mixing to music production to writing and recording. If I did not love it I could have spent my time doing all kinds of shit and after seeing some success even on a local level I would bask in it, but for me I love this life. I love creating so I keep going and I push myself to always be better.

I look for an artist who is doing the same. Second is integrity i love to work with people who are about something.

10)         Describe your writing process when making a song?

Niro Baits: When you have your own studio the writing process changes a bit. Before I loved writing in transit. I wrote my first record walking around the city. I would write in the car on trips to shows, where ever. I would go to The Homies Bar and just chill out and write. We would be drinking and all this crazy shit and in the middle I would write what popped in my mind. Any time anything popped into my mind I would find paper and just write it. Now it’s a bit crazier. I sometimes write things down, sometimes iPhone the idea, I will write bars or just record it for later. But what I love doing is free-styling. Not like battle rappers but if you take a beat and play it and record what pops in your head and keep building in 2 or 8 bar flows till it’s done. I would say I write half of the song now and straight record the others. If I am going to another studio I will write just to save time.

Production is different but similar if some beat idea pops in my head I record it on my phone and how the parts go and when I get to the studio I just create it. If I am in the studio I just fuck around with sounds and see what I can get out of it. Being a drummer most of my production starts with the drums

11)         How did you hook up with DJ Wich?

Niro Baits: When I first moved to The Czech rep I went to the hip hop mag BBarak and I ask who the best was, they told me DJ Wich. He was DJ'ing at a Club 001 and I just went up to him and told him who I was and kept shit light. I went on doing stuff and our music crossed paths on the song out of the fire, which was produced by Lcap1 for The Regime a group with me and another British rapper Emdee. He did a remix to it. Wich is originally from The Czech Rap Group Indy a Wich. Indy rapped on the track and Wich re did the beat. When Indy a Wich was making their second record The Regime was going to guest on the record but at the same time Indy had ended up in a little rap beef and I had some grievances so we totally switch the beat and just went in on "live". It was the first time I had a number 1 song anywhere. After doing live, it was like we should do something and he hit me with beats and I just started writing.

12)         The music chemistry is off the hook between you and DJ Wich, you got the Chronicles of a Nomad series under your belt with him. Are we going to see more with DJ Wich?

Niro Baits: NO not at all. He is not built for this, I asked him about leaving and doing other things out side of the Czech and he is not for it. He is the king here but soon as he leaves he is nothing and he is more comfortable to stay a big fish in a small pound, I would have loved to work with him more but he felt his fans where upset that he did not work with more Czech local artist. I wish he would try reaching for greatness but he is staying in the house.

13)         Okay let’s delve more into your work. What can fans expect from Nironic whether it’s your solo projects or joints you collaborate with?

Niro Baits: Now I’m doing my own production and I’m very excited about that. I’m working with the Lost Souls, The band of Misfits and Building my solo Projects. SLicK just linked up with Bitch City Record and we are BUilding SLickBitch Records.

Everyone I am working with want the same thing. You can only deal with people who want the same as you or it’s a waste of time. So now that you can say the stars are a line you can expect to see a world that most will never. We are special and our visual and production and content are unmatched because no one has lived like us. Fans can expect a new world of creativity and honestly. Real shit for real people.

14)         You got a track out called “Middle Age Apartment” featuring Rebekah and C-Bugz. How the record came about?

Niro Baits: This city is crazy I Met Rebekah one late drunk night running through the city and us both being black was like what up. We talked, walked and sung together and then we parted ways. I forgot to get her number or anything. Six months later I was out at a party and she walked in. I had to lock the contact down because she was just totally amazing. She is great not only in music but as a person and she have the love we spoke of so she just ended up being part of the Fam. Bugz is a similar story. He was doing his thing in the states but we linked up out here. I will be real there are a few artists out here but the ones with me are the ones who have that love, integrity and passion so we keep building.

Middle class apt is now on the Lost Souls record. We are working on the video and finishing it up officially but it’s from an EP with me and Rebekah. First off we don't live hood. We come from it but we don't live like it now. That was the first part of life. Now we all hustled up and we are in these middle class situation. But that’s what the hustle was for. I don't get people selling drugs and all this shit to remain in a volatile situation. Buy a house before you buy a car, get a wife that build the family with you and leave the dirty money hungry hoes alone. Your wife got a pussy enjoy it. Put your money into something other than accessories. Instead of dropping stacks on a chain, fund a homeless shelter or food for the poor programs. You hustle to improve your life and the life of those you love. Not to impress niggas you don't even know or bitches you don't really want. Live for yourself not for other. That’s pretty much the thought behind it. none of my people started out rich but we invest in us, seeing the world, doing more and the truth is that it’s possible for more of us (inner city youths) to live this way but we have to let go of the mind sets that holds us back.

When I was a kid a middle class apartment was a dream, now I have it and I want to build a house. Keep improving and giving my son the best position in life to start from his own endeavors. I understand, I don't say don't sell drugs or this or that. I just say use the money to make your life better on a real level not just get some Jordan's or some jewels. Most of the rappers have other investments and things going but they don't bring that to the music. They just keep filling it with what got them on. If your art does not grow to reflect the steps you have made as a man, then your audience and the hip hop/rap audience does not grow up also. Now we have fans that have out grown their favorite artist and hip hop all together because it gives them nothing back and they no longer live that humble beginnings part of life there are new challenges.

I think the song is maybe music more entertaining than my answer though. I’m not hating on any one I just feel we can all do better and have more if we let go of bullshit and set some real goals in life. I’m guilty of a lot of stereotypical behavior but i still work on myself to be better. I think that’s the essence of life. We got all this time, seems like we should spend it loving our lives not hating, we don't have the next man’s life. Spend life living how we want and not just following what we have been told is our roles.

15)         What goes through your mind when you hear the new music out in 2013?

Niro Baits: I feel sad cause it’s like either the artists are one dimensional, the radio or the labels are, I don't know it’s just seems to me like the music used to have diversity and embody a wide range of emotion. I feel like somewhere in the chain people stopped expressing themselves and just started making music to sell or for the club or what they think people want to hear.

Before the artist were poets, philosophers and storytellers. Everyone was coming from the hood but still it was art now every artist pretty much sounds the same and is saying the same thing. It’s like McDonalds music millions served but no one is healthy from it. Its fast food music! Songs hit the charts people cash in and goodbye. I respect niggas getting their money but the long term effect is the degradation of our music as an art and then we who make it become jokes and clowns, buffoons jumping around on stage. The words mean less and our points as a community have no merit cause, we are just a bunch of niggas throwing money at fat ass bitches, drinking and smoking and shooting each other and once again i don't really give a fuck what niggas do on they own time. But the fact that, that’s the only visuals that get promoted stunts the growth of the ones watching it.

16)         What are your biggest pet peeves being an emcee and being in this fickle industry?

Niro Baits: Real shit, I will not tell people I’m a rapper when I meet them because it seems like every nigga in the world is a rapper with a demo. They have made it almost a joke. It’s like people think there is mad money in this game so everyone is jumping in because shit all you need is a pen and some paper and a half a beat and if it blows you good. Fake smiles, I’m all about Biz we a’int got to be cool to make amazing music together but I hate how niggas stand around acting friendly when it a’int that. We can keep it light and have a dinner, chop it, hit the studio and cool out. We a’int got to stress the rest. As Monts says, keep it gifty

the lack of creativity and fear of being different that makes every one kind of fit in the same mold. Please, let me be clear and say not all people are like this but there are enough people trying to do exactly the same thing that you notice it.

The worshiping of ignorance and the lies in lyrics! Niggas fucking with my money, I don't care about it much but I don't take kind to a nigga fucking with my paper.

Money hungry hoes! A woman who can’t take care of themselves self-leaching off everything around, it sets a bad precedence. Women are a great asset in the world and when they down play themselves it’s kind of whack especially for a rapper nigga lol, love yourself first. Of course you get treated like that, cause you put yourself out there like that.

17)         What’s in your I-Pod nowadays?

Niro Baits: I listen to everything from rock to rap to old-school to jazz. Being not just a rapper I have more things to think about so I study sound quality. Right now I’m not banging anything too much on repeat other than the Lost Souls record but I’m actually the only one with a copy of it.

18)         What artists do you like to work with in the future?

Niro Baits: What can I say Slick is the family; Flip Dollars is my brother and one of the strongest Dude I ever met. When I look at the challenges in his life he overcame to have his family in a middle class apartment, I have nothing but respect for him. Right now we are building on 2 continents at the same time and it’s hectic but amazing. Expect to see a lot of great things coming for all sides of the globe. Much love to Montana Max and Sonny Black, Megatron, they are kings that all father success and respect to them. Out with me in Europe it’s the same thing just different name. Love to C.Monts, C-Bugz and YoungBlood, DJ Koogee, Rebekah Candy Mane, Ambrezzy, and all the staff working with us. They are a constant blessing.

19)         What advice will you give to upcoming artists that want to get into the game?

Niro Baits: Know what you want to get out of it before you get in it. I love this shit, I wanted nothing more than a life in music. I got that. Now I want some other things I wish I had wanted before but I’m happy I get it now. Don’t expect anyone to help you, you are all alone until you meet the people who share your vision but even then you will still be alone in your fight because everyone has a role to play, you must be your biggest supporter. You have to motivate yourself. You have to do the work. Never take anything personal. Just remember who is what. Whenever you see someone in your life, think about why they are there and make sure the reasons are virtuous and you will be ok.

There is more but if I told you everything you might as well stay home, some things you’re going to have to learn for yourself. Don’t be scared but don't be cocky. Walk in ready to learn and do your best. Do your best to never fuck any one over because it always comes back. Stay positive it’s hard as fuck in the face of the trip but really if it’s the life for you then there are no other options and you being negative against yourself only slow you down. You got to believe in you, shit I could keep going lol

20)         Where can fans and other peeps get at you for music or collabs?

Niro Baits: www.facebook.com/nironicworld the messaging system there is best because my PA keeps me up on it.

Hit me on twitter. @nironic

my email is flooded

21)         What’s next for you in 2013?

Niro Baits: Lost Souls record is coming and singles about to start with videos to match, Tales from a Middle Class Apartment with me and Rebekah and then around November I’m thinking about a Solo record. It’s half-done but it’s going to be produced me with only 1 or two guys other than myself working on it, Megaton and Milklord. Keep it in the fam.

On the Biz side of things. SlickBitch Records is about to Change the world, thank you for your time and interests in me and My Fam, wish you all the best!

Nironic