NandoSTL Talks T-Pain Cosign, Music Inspirations, Balancing Being a Father and More
2022 has been a big year for NandoSTL. So far he has performed a 45 minute set at the largely attended “Music at the Intersection” festival, got a co-sign from T-Pain and he is just getting started. The Midwest artist describes himself as a “soul rapper who tells the truth in his music”, and he plans to do just that when he drops “Y.O.T.A” (which stands for “Year of the Apes”) on 10/13.
We recently caught up with the St. Louis native to discuss his debut album, how the T-Pain co-sign came about, his sound and more.
Check it out below:
How did you get started in music?
A blend of being raised in church with my grandmother and traveling to Chicago with my father, where I had family that were African drum instructors. I've been involved in creating since I was about 2 years old. From the first time I heard the sounds of hands/sticks hitting drums, I was hooked.
What was the inspiration behind the name of your debut album, “Y.O.T.A” (Year of the Apes)?
My hometown nickname is the Gorilla, due to my stature, and seriousness when it comes to business being handled correctly. 2021 was one of the hardest years of my life. So before Y.O.T.A became a body of work, I coined the mantra to help me take control of 2022. I guess there really is power in words, because it's turned into a movement.
How did you get connected with T. Pain and what does it mean to you to have his co-sign?
My Media Coordinator Rashaun "Rab" Fentress was an avid follower of T Pain's twitch stream. TPain would often do music reviews and If he liked your stuff he would give it a retweet. The big homie T-Pain, held a contest back in Feb 2022 called March Madness. In the competition artists from all across the country battled head to head in a winner takes all tournament. TPain would play one artist song and then a second competitor's song. The chat would then vote on the winner. Rab was adamant about my friends and I entering the contest. I entered and ended up winning month after month until I made it to the finals, where I lost in the final round. T-Pain, being the great guy he is, still reached out and we have maintained a solid business relationship/friendship ever since. The co-sign means the world to me .
You recently performed at the Music at the Intersection festival here in St. Louis. Talk about what goes into putting together your show and how you prepare for it.
The festival was amazing! Creating a Live show is my favorite part of being an artist. I create Live band versions of all the music I want to perform, then I piece together the band (hire musicians), then we find a place to rehearse, schedule rehearsals, figure out outfits, and prepare to show the world what we have been working on.
How would you describe your sound?
It can be very soulful and bouncy, but the gospel influence, and meaningful lyrics, gives the sound a power and genuine emotion that you just have to hear to understand.
In addition to being an artist, you are a father. How do you balance music and fatherhood?
I don't balance it, it balances me lol. If I wasn't a father I wouldn't be as successful as an artist. I was never one to get things done efficiently and correctly until I had children. It taught me about patience and organization. It also allowed me to be comfortable as a leader. I understand that my decisions not only affect me, but those around me, and those who believe in me from afar. This molded me into the man needed to be as a beacon to help lead the STL renaissance.
What can fans expect from you next?
ALOT of art! I have so many creative ideas, flows (tonality and pace that I rap), and approaches to just creating and showcasing my art, that hasn't been fully cultivated yet. I'm looking forward to continuing to move onward and upward, all while doing what I love most which is “Being creative".
