Published: Monday - July 14, 2008
Words by Kavelle C. & Anne van de Sande
Nino Bless (Photo: via MySpace)
Nino Bless has been the lyrical force behind a long list of rappers, when he was ghost writing for Gloria Velez among others. Now, the Hispanic street cat is preparing to get his own shine. His free mixtape, Untold Scriptures, was well received among hip-hop audiences across the nation. Bless showed that besides writing brag and boast songs for others, he can reflect on social commentary and substance too, while joining forces with industry heavy weights such as Joell Ortiz and Joe Budden.
BallerStatus sat down with the NY based rapper to discuss his new projects and how he managed to turn hard days into blessed times.
BallerStatus.com: How did you get the name Nino Bless?
Nino Bless: My God brother gave me the permission to use that name and represent for him. He's locked up, so basically he's living through my eyes right now. Not to mention the name sounds better than my real name, which is Hector. I couldn't go by Hector, ya know? He got murked by Achilles. Not a good look.
BallerStatus.com: Your last mixtape, Untold Scriptures, had a song on it called "Times Are Hard" featuring Joe Budden. What inspired the song?
Nino Bless: Hard times more than anything. The song is easy to vibe to and who can't relate with times being hard? Joe Budden, when he heard it, he was like "I can write like four verses to this beat." After hearing MM3, I believe him (laughs). I mean that beat speaks to you though. The intro with Lawrence Fishburne in "Boyz In The Hood," that's such a dope quote. Then the sample in the beat singing "Times Are Hard," the beat makes it so easy for MCs such as Joe and myself. We focus on lyrics and substance all while making good music. The track fit perfectly.
BallerStatus.com: How did that collaboration come about?
Nino Bless: I had that instrumental and song with just Jay Life on it for a year and a half. Focus sent it to me. I asked Focus if he could give me the green light to use the song and he was down with it. Initially Focus reached out to Busta, but that was a stretch. I thought about who fit on the beat. I reached out to Joe Budden to be on "Four In The Clip" with Styles P, [Kool] G Rap and myself. He was down, but he was extremely busy with MM3, so we missed the boat. He actually heard it online and called me up like "You killed that sh**." I was like "Dog, I know you busy, but lets do some sh**, I got a crazy record, it's different from the posse cut." Right there I guess I earned my stripes with Joe with my verse on "Four In The Clip" 'cause he was willing to do a song with just him and myself on it. We made it happen and I'm glad for it. That record got radio spins around the world from Hot 97 to Power 105 to BBC 1xtra in the UK. DJs are still playing it around the country now on major radio and it's a good hip-hop song. That's a good look all around.
BallerStatus.com: Who has been your favorite collaboration so far?
Nino Bless: I haven't had that many as some people think, but I would have to say "Four In The Clip." It's my favorite for many reasons. I'm rapping with three of the illest MCs currently in the game -- Kool G Rap, who's top 5 dead or alive, I don't care what anybody says; Styles P, who's done songs with everybody from Biggie and Mariah Carey to Eminem; and let's not forget Joell Ortiz, he's a personal favorite of mine.
BallerStatus.com: Who are some of the other people you have worked with, and who would you say has had the greatest impact on your career?
Nino Bless: Without any doubt, G Rap has had the greatest impact on my career -- both personally and indirectly. He's shown me little secrets on how to be consistent and passed on valuable gems for me that have been intrical in my progress thus far.
BallerStatus.com: Do you ever feel like throwing in the towel?
Nino Bless: I don't know if I've ever had the towel in my corner to even consider tossing. I came into this game raw with no trainer, no cut man, and no stool on my side. It's a tough grind and I've worked real hard to get where I'm at. An MC who's questioning whether he should be doing this or not isn't built for this. It's tough though for anybody, especially a new cat without a heavy co-sign or a financial backer of some sort.
BallerStatus.com: With artists including Big Pun, Fat Joe, and more recently, Daddy Yankee, Kotch, The DEY, among others, do you think it's becoming easier or harder for Hispanic rappers to stay true to their Spanish roots? At the same time cross over into a mainstream audience?
Nino Bless: I would say harder, but it also depends on the artist and how he utilizes what he's doing. Reggaeton, as quick as it came into the door, it got the boot. It was hot for a few months in the mainstream and all the labels jumped on it, but as soon as there had to be an adjustment made, the labels lost interest 'cause it was too hard to push all of a sudden. It's not easy crossing over into mainstream America with straight Spanish material 'cause the majority of the country doesn't speak fluent Spanish. Especially the way us fast ass talking boricuas come across.
BallerStatus.com: Do you plan to tackle both markets -- Latino and English speaking -- or focus on one?
Nino Bless: I do things naturally. If it comes out like that cool. Most Latin MCs out here don't even speak Spanish; you'd be surprised. While they are writing a rhyme, throwing in some Spanish words, they calling some chick up, or asking they boy how to say this and that. I don't have that issue. I speak Spanish and don't have to force anything out. I don't need to exploit my ethnic side to try and gain some points from another market. I got sh** in English that relates to Latinos and more joints in the stash where they can vibe off me. It isn't a main focus of mine to get a certain type of ethnic group to support me. I'm doing the music I love doing and whoever comes on board can enjoy the ride no matter race creed or color they are. I'm full Puerto Rican, so it is who I am and I do have sh** that my people can relate to.
BallerStatus.com: Your work offers a lot of social commentary, yet at the same time it's witty. For example: "They say rappers gotta be responsible, why? / This is our life, we ain't doin' your chores, We got our own kids, why don't you raise yours?" Expound on your thoughts about music and rappers influencing a child's behavior.
Nino Bless: I ain't saying that music doesn't influence a child at all, but it's not our job to help a parent with their kid. It's unfortunate that parents blame rappers for steering their children down the wrong direction. Not every rapper has to be responsible. We don't go to work with a suit and tie. There's different type of MCs all over the place. Some are good role models and others aren't. Who the f*** are you to tell us how we should act, live, dress, or what we should be saying? This is our sh** and not all of it is for your children. It's the parent's job to keep their kid in check.
I grew up watching violent movies and hearing cursing etc. Playing violent video games and all. I knew the difference though. I knew that if I said one of those words around my mom I'd get the sh** smacked out of me with her flats. I mean, I'm not promoting parents hitting their kids at all. I'm just saying that keeping someone else's kid in check is not up to a rapper, athlete, actor etc. Stop asking other people to do your job. If you need assistance then go get counseling. Go see a professional. Us rappers don't do that sh**.
BallerStatus.com: Can we expect a debut album anytime soon?
Nino Bless: You definitely can. The mixtape Untold Scriptures dropped, which can be download at NinoBless.com. Then you can expect either my follow up of that or a mixtape with Crooked I and myself. Crooked and I are knocking that out for the end of the year. We're going hard trust me. East and West collaborating for something special. Then the album next year once I build my name. I got material for the album ready to go now. Whether it drops on an indie or on a major, I don't really care. I will get the album out next year though believe that. Early part of 2009, probably in March or April.
BallerStatus.com: You've done a lot of ghostwriting and you also formed a promotions and marketing company, why did you decide it was time to take center stage?
Nino Bless: I had that itch. Not like a nasty rash or something. Just that itch to let my craft be showcased. That's why the mixtape is titled Untold Scriptures. These rhymes were in the chamber for too long.
BallerStatus.com: Finish this statement: "Hip-hop ain't dead because..."
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