Considering East St. Louis is in Illinois, we thought it’d be nice to feature the buzzing artist Nic Paper with an exclusive interview who is always repping East St. Louis hard!! Check out his new video “Upset” if you haven’t yet.
Enjoy the interview.
Interview: We’re right here with Nic Paper, an artist signed to Ike Hayes III (son of Isaac Hayes). What was Ike like when you met him?
Nic Paper: It was real cool. He saw the potential in me. Being who he is, coming to the situation was a good look for me. He’s fucking with a nigga and to have the knowledge of the game he has, it was a smooth transition for me.
Interview: Tell us about being from the “different” side of St. Louis (East St. Louis).
Nic Paper: East St .Louis is divided by the Mississippi river. It’s a whole other part of town; East St. Louis is in Illinois and St. Louis is in Missouri. We’re in Illinois out here. People always ask me that so when I clean it up, it’s totally different. It’s more country in St. Louis. I don’t wanna say suburbia but we’re more hood over here. Its different, that’s all I can say. When Nelly and Chingy and they got on, they didn’t show any love to the eastside. They rep 314. We’re in a whole other state than them. It’s our time now; we have a lot of talent here on the east side.
Interview: And what was life like specifically for you growing up in East St. Louis?
Nic Paper: Shit was hard growing up. We didn’t have much money coming into my city. It’s just like any good, niggas were robbing and dying due to the poverty out here. My people, I always had a little something because my family owns the East St. Louis newspaper. My grandfather was the president of the board and he ran for mayor way back in the day.
Interview: Cool. And how old where you when you started rapping and taking it seriously?
Nic Paper: I was 14 when I started rapping; just a freshman in high school. I would say I started taking it seriously right around the time I turned 19 or 20; that’s when I got myself a manager and really got to work. I started going back and forth to Atlanta because that’s where the market is right now if you want to get on.
Interview: I see. Tell us about something that happened to you at age 17 regarding a knife fight.
Nic Paper: Being on that banging shit in high school, I got into some trouble. I was at a homecoming football game, niggas from east side ere fucking with me, I was fresh. I got into an altercation and I got stabbed with a box cutter and needed 22 stitches.
Interview: Damn, that’s crazy. Tell us about often drawing comparisons to T.I.
Nic Paper: I don’t agree with that per say. A lot of people tend to say that though. I just wanna’ say that its a great comparison and I’m honored to be compared to an individual who has reached the level that T.I. has. Not even just as T.I., but anyone who has done so much for the rap game and crossing over in the industry period to do movies and make clothing lines like he has. He is a successful black man in America, real shit. I take that comparison as an honor for those reasons.
Interview: No doubt. Tell us about your new single and video “Upset” featuring Big Juve.
Nic Paper: It’s a club track with a special club feel but a nice southern feel. Big Juvy is also from East St. Louis and is a homie from my hood. It’s a summertime record, something to dance too in the club because it’s a banger. We’re getting lots of love on it right now via Worldstar, FreeonSmash and more.
Interview: Congratulations on that! What’s the next move for Nic Paper?
Nic Paper: I hooked up with DJ Teknikz for my last mixtape “Cash It Or Plastic” and we’re gonna’ put out another little mixtape for them, “Freak Nic” soon; just something we’re throwing out. And then I’m coming with a Don Cannon mixtape that’s gonna’ be big. Other than that, we’re just promoting “Cash It Or Plastic” still. We’re working the “Upset” video still of course. I’m staying busy and continuing to accumulate my material, trying to become successful.
Interview: I hear that! Best of luck to you. Do you have any last words before I let you go?
Nic Paper: Shouts out to my family, Isaac Hayes, Ike Hayes III and everyone else that fucks with my music.
