Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to King NTG. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
King, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I’ve had many meaningful projects, but none more meaningful than my most recent album titled, “SALVATION” released on 3/16/2025. This album is a testimonial of my trials and tribulations as a man, father, and artist. It’s meant to help the listener understand how far I’ve come on my journey to find light, while overcoming some of the darkest times in my life. Although the music is a reflection of me, it is also made with the listener at the center of it all. I speak about accountability, responsibility, relationships, learning from mistakes, overcoming failure, mental health, and my faith. There are also no curse words throughout the entire album, as I wanted to display mindfulness and emotional intelligence for listeners that may be sensitive to vulgarity in music. Music is a universal language spoken and felt throughout the planet. It also has the power to move throughout time generationally, regardless of age, ethnicity, or culture. I want parents to be able to listen with their children or children introducing the music to their parents. I want students to share with their school staff members and vice versa. This is real, raw, and gritty truth telling music that not only sounds good, but feels good as well. Fans that have supported the album thus far have described the album as a masterpiece, classic, flawless, and even life-changing. I wanted to create a timeless body of work that would be able to stand alone in an era where it is much more popular to run with the crowd and follow popular trends. I believe the “SALVATION” album has the energy and sound to be impactful no matter when listeners gravitate to it. Whether presently, in the near, or distant future, this music that has been delivered with purpose and intent will find its way into the minds and hearts of those it is meant to reach.
King, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’ve been in love with music since I was a baby. I have vivid memories of my mother singing to me and my father playing the keyboard with his band. Weekends with incense burning and vinyl spinning all day in our living room. Growing up in poverty, music was our escape in those times. I started off singing and then I fell in love with Hip Hop through Tupac. My older brother was already into rap and I would listen to some of his favorite artists with him. He introduced me to East Coast Hip Hop artists like Jay-Z, Nas, Mase, and others around the age of 9. Their styles reeled me in and made me want to rap myself. That was the age I wrote my first rhyme. By 14 I was convinced that I should start taking my talent serious and was invited to the studio by some of my brother’s friends and recorded my first song. After I was done, everyone in the studio was in awe because I had done something they had never seen, recording the whole song in one take without any mistakes. That was the moment that I fell in love with creating music.
I released my first album at 19 years old and continued until I turned 30 in 2017. I went on a hiatus from music for various reasons, but the main reasons were for my family and my own peace of mind. My music from 19-30 was based on my life experiences. Whether they were good, bad, exciting, or dangerous, it was all my reality. Blend that with some knowledge, street smarts, spirituality, dope rhyme cadences, and some nice melodies over some sick production from some of the best from the West Coast and you get an idea of the discography of “Nio Tha Gift.” This is a part of me I like to refer to as my former self.
In September 2024, I reentered and reintroduced myself on the “Redemption” album as “King NTG” alongside rising Oakland singer Yung Semi. King in my name means that I have risen up and into a greater version of myself through my faith, family, love, and wisdom. These elements make up the very foundation that I stand on everyday. NTG is the shortened version of my former name given to me by Bay Area music legends “Cellski” and the late great “Jacka.” It also stands for “Next to GOD” which is who I walk with and where I believe I will be at the end of my life.
On “Redemption” I introduced an evolved version of myself emceeing at the highest level with messages of truth while delivering without cursing. At 37, I believe that I have a responsibility as a vet in Hip Hop to teach and lead by example with integrity, positivity, strength, and honor. Being someone that the youth and mature audiences can respect for the right reasons. This album represents the affirmations of my return and me embracing my new lease on life.
On 3/16/2025 I released my first solo album since my rebrand as King NTG titled, “Salvation.” Fans and supporters have already expressed the impact that this album has made on them via social media by using words like, “classic, flawless, masterpiece, and life-changing.” There are 18 tracks on this project and no curse words, yet it is still as real as it can get. It displays wisdom, growth, maturation, vulnerability, humility, accountability, spirituality, leadership, love, and faith. Told from my own experiences, these messages were written with people in mind. This album belongs to the people as much as it belongs to me. Birthed from my own experiences in hopes that it will continue to live through others.
I have many new projects and ventures coming in 2025. From music to merchandise, this year is going to be filled with great albums, fly fashion, positive vibes, and impactful displays of leadership. I hope to gain new fans and supporters of not only my music and other products, but who I am and what I stand for. As a father and husband, there is nothing more important than love, family, and the children of the world that represent the future of our planet. The goal for me is to pay the knowledge and wisdom forward and get others to do the same. I truly believe that we can go far together and change the world.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Find ways to connect with and support your favorite artists in your own backyard that may be as talented or more talented than some mainstream artists. In this era of music business, a new artist is a struggling artist. The sad truth is that streaming services do not work in the artists favor, so it’s important to support your favorites by purchasing whatever physical products you can whether it be merchandise or tickets to performances. Support from the community makes those outside of the community pay attention and has the power to elevate an indy artist from local talent to superstar. Also it is important for creatives to support creatives. Showing up for people speaks volumes. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I don’t think people truly understand how sensitive creative people are in regards to their crafts. We spend years of our lives, money we never get back, we deal with sadness, grief from sacrifices made, and love lost. There is so many layers to being a creative person. We beat ourselves up and sometimes the world can dish it out even worse. It can be frustrating, it can be depressing, it can get very dark. A lot of artists turn to vices to cope as the world sits back and watches them fall into the deep end only to hit rock bottom. It’s hard to pick yourself up on your own when you feel that low. I know what that feels like and it hurts, it hurts bad. Had it not been for the love of my family, my wife, and my children, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am now. If it wasn’t for my faith in GOD I wouldn’t have known that I was worthy of love. When I went on a hiatus from music due to various serious reasons, all the love that I thought I had and once known was gone. No peers or fans reached out concerned about me. But instead of licking my wounds, I looked inside myself and decided to be the change I seek. I believe that the universe operates in a karmic way and you get what you give. I started to think that maybe I wasn’t showing the love I wanted to receive. I started to focus on connecting with people in positive ways and smiling more. I am much more intentional these days. This not only has healed me internally, but the love and concern for me flows abundantly. I just want non-creatives to understand that creative people can be watched and still not feel seen. Don’t forget that we are people with feelings before we are creatives. Spread love.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/king_ntg/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KingNTGAscendedMaster
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/king-ntg/1471276387
Image Credits
Nobl Photos, Brian Knockin, Darrion Webb, Daynah Ramos