We were lucky to catch up with Yasir Degrate recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Yasir thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

The first dollar from my craft? Man, that hit different. I was just in 10th grade, minding my business in class, when I got pulled out to perform my poetry and sing during intermission at this cosmetology hair show. They handed me $50, and it felt like a million to me back then. Imagine it—Friday and Saturday nights, a young kid standing up there, feeling the energy from the crowd, and thinking, ‘Alright, maybe this is what I’m built for.’

The second night, something wild happened—someone from the crowd booked me for my first real show with adult poets. They handed me $250 to do a 25-minute set, and that’s when I got hooked. It was like getting invited to the grown folks’ table, and the support from the crowd just sealed it for me. I knew this was the start of something. That first taste of being valued for my words, my voice—it made me realize I had something special to share. From then on, I knew there was no going back.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m BM NovaGawd, but you can call me DeGrate or Nova if I know you. I’m a lyrical storyteller, rapper, singer, and songwriter with roots in the spoken word scene, and I’ve always believed in letting the music speak for itself. My journey didn’t start with major backing or fancy connections—I took what I had, invested my own money, and found myself in studios, building my sound from the ground up. In the beginning, I paid my way to get on stage, just so I could be heard. But there came a point where I realized the value of what I was bringing to the mic, and I made the choice to hold back until the offers came to me.

I’ve poured thousands of hours into mastering my craft. That’s 10,000 hours of writing, hitting freestyle challenges, learning the business, and developing an intricate recording process I’ve built over time. One day, I’ll share that with the world. I bring an energy to my live shows that’s all about real connection—I’m known for performing live with the mic on, giving my fans the raw, authentic experience I wanted from my favorite artists growing up.

My brand isn’t just about music; it’s about creating experiences. Beyond my regular merch, I envision something bigger, offering items that bring positive energy, like incense and manifestation journals, and hosting meditation meet-and-greets. When I go on tour, my aim is to give people a moment they’ll be talking about for years to come.

As an artist, I’m multi-dimensional. I never sound the same on any two tracks because I approach every song with a fresh perspective. The beat tells me what it needs, and I become a part of it, blending my voice with the rhythm until we’re one. On stage or at a listening party, my goal is to make you feel the music. I’m driven by passion, and I’m building something for music lovers everywhere who want to see and feel a real show.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Alright, so hear me out. I know it sounds like a big ask, but if you’re dreaming, you might as well go big. Every city needs a Music Council, like the Avengers for local talent. Picture this: they throw fundraisers, host events every weekend, and actually pay artists to do their thing. Think about it—if you’ve got talent, they’re giving you the mic and a chance to shine. No ‘starving artist’ life here! Fresh faces hit the stage every week, and the city gets a non-stop stream of local flavor.

Now, here’s the kicker: once a year, they pull a Coachella move and bring all the top artists from the year’s events for a huge festival. Big lights, big crowd, all the vibes. And the best part? All that festival cash goes back into the next round, like a creative savings account. It’s a win-win. The city gets its own mini Woodstock, and artists get support and stage time. Why don’t we have this yet? I’m just sayin’.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

This where it gets goood my mission’s got a little flavor to it. Right now, I’m on this wave with my sister and my wife, building out “Beats & Botanics”. It’s a pop-up that’s part music experience, part plant nursery—yeah, you heard that right. We’re out here trying to make plants as hype as a sold-out show. My vision? Turning Beats & Botanics into a full-on festival, like Rolling Loud or Camp Flog Gnaw, but with a little more chlorophyll. You come through, vibe with the music, and leave with a Monstera albo you’ll actually want to keep alive.

It’s like this—music and plants are the ultimate power duo for your vibe. You got good tunes and something green growing in your space? You’re already winning at life. So Beats & Botanics is more than an event; it’s about bringing people joy, whether it’s through music, plants, or just a solid vibe. We’re here to spread that feel-good energy, and who knows? Maybe teach people how to keep their plants (and themselves) thriving.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: BMNovaGawd
• Twitter: MrAntisocialHB
• Youtube: Neuro-DeGrate Tv ft BM NovaGawd
• Soundcloud: BM NovaGawd
• Other: You can dm me on any of these to book me or just send a email over to [email protected]