We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nico Bryant a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nico, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Growing up, my parents had a band and I used to sit in on their rehearsals. They used to perform at different churches and venues up and down the east coast. When I was around 4, I asked my dad if I could use his drum machine and when he said yes, that opened the floodgates for me. From there, I was using it in church and on gigs with the band. Then one Friday night, the drummer from our church couldn’t make it to the service, so I asked my pops if I could play. I begged him for a few minutes before he finally said yes. And I don’t know how but I hopped on there and had pocket. I’d mess up when I’d try to do a fill or something, but got right back in the groove.

I played drums from the age of 4 up until I was 13. Around that time is when I got heavy into Michael Jackson and New Edition and Usher, and I decided I wanted to be an artist. I did “Off The Wall” in the 8th grade talent show, then played the lead role in “Aladdin”, and after the feeling the reactions from the crowd (specifically the screams of my female peers), I knew I had something.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a singer, songwriter, producer (under the alias 2thousand5), musician (keys, drums, bass, guitar, and kazoo).

I was born and raised in Delaware, where I still reside, but I mainly am based in Philly.

I call my music “Jukebox Soulquarianstankadelic” and it’s a blend of R&B/Soul, neo-soul, funk, Hip-Hop, and Gospel.

I’m a graduate of the University of The Arts with a B.S. in MBET (Music Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology).

At the time of this interview, I have released 2 studio albums, 5 EP’s, a live album, countless singles, and an album with my group SOULiloquy (which has also been played on BBC Radio 1xtra).

I’m very excited to release my third album, “In My World”, which is about 97% complete, and it’s currently set to release May 21st, 2024.

Since 2020, I have co-written and produced songs with Yoji (an R&B/Pop artist from the UK) and those songs have been played on BBC Radio 1xtra. We are wrapping up her debut studio album.

I’ve sung background for artists like Chioke, Cordell, and Carol Riddick.

I’m currently working on EPs for some Philly-based artists, who happen to be friends of mine I met during my time at UArts.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Last year, literally days before my final semester of college began, my grandmother passed away. Days after her passing, I had to move into the dorms, which was already going to be crazy for me because I had been commuting back and forth from school to home for the past 4 years (with the exception of quarantine, of course). Also during this time, I had to start planning for my live album, which was going to be my senior project. It was definitely a rough time, because at the same time I’m grieving, I’m away from my family, and I’m having to keep up with my grades, and find people to be in my band. It was a lot honestly. And yet, during the course of the semester, from about January up until late March, things were actually going alright. But then three more earth-shattering things happened: I fell out with one of the background vocalists, the drummer said he couldn’t make the gig, and the keyboard player said the same. So I had to lean on my faith in God even more than I already was, and he made a way. One of my homies stepped up to sing vocals, I grabbed a keyboard player from my old home church, and I decided to pull an Anderson Paak, and sing while playing drums. Up until that point, it was the most I had played drums and practiced in years. But on that Good Friday in April, we pulled it off, despite the technical difficulties that tried to spoil the moment.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My particular goal is to look back 30 years from now and be satisfied with my journey. To have a substantial catalog and be well known and recognized for my gifts. Not necessarily famous but someone that young folks can look up to and say “one of my influences is Nico Bryant”, the same way I look up to Usher or D’Angelo. And along the way, I want to develop TV shows and movies and just explore all the avenues of creativity that intrigue me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://whoisnicobryant.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whoisnicobryant/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whoisnicobryant
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/whoisnicobryant
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC4oDgS9doZJVQp-XnY07Xw