We were lucky to catch up with Niko Makaveli recently and have shared our conversation below.
Niko , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
I can’t say that I wish I would’ve started my creative journey sooner but I will say I wish that I would’ve started getting involved with performing and getting in a professional studio environment sooner. I started rapping when I was 9. Just sitting in the house with my cousins listening to the likes of Camoflauge (R.I.P), Pastor Troy, T.I., Jeezy, etc. We turned on a best to one of our favorite songs from one of them and my oldest cousin began rapping playing around and then something just came over me to start rapping so I just picked up on the beat and started going. It was hilarious because once I stopped my cousins just stared at me and was like “Well damn cuz, you rap?!” And then from there on it just kind of became something that I did. I feel that if I started sooner in getting my music heard and recording I feel that truthfully I’d be signed already. Looking back on my journey and the things that molded me into the artist I am today I think that me starting earlier and making that a premier focus in my life I’d have everything I ever wanted and be doing what I love full time.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Niko Makaveli. I am an upcoming rap artist from Savannah, GA. I got into making music solely from being raised on music of all types. My mother was big on playing all types of music so that I would be well rounded but lord knows she loved her some rap. I grew up on the likes of Ghetto Boyz, Pac, Biggie, Eazy, Snoop, Cube, etc. but of course Pac left the biggest impact on me. As of lately I have ventured into more than just rapping and recording and I’ve started to let my skills about visual media play a role in what I do. I have begun providing video treatment services to artist like myself who may not have the most creative mind when it comes to making a music video catching to the eye and making it relate as well as just making it overall appealing. I enjoy creating a story from my music and I also enjoy bringing the thoughts of other artists to light through their music videos. I don’t shoot the video I more so create a story for the video and then help bring it to life by being present and directing . I think the thing I’m most proud of throughout my creative career is the fact that I always find a way to push the envelope and push myself into different ventures, styles, and avenues through music. Whether it be from my cadence, my flow, my rhyme patterns, even to the producers I work with.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I believe the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the fact that no matter what I am able to make something out of nothing which is what I’ve done my whole life. And not only making something out of nothing but to see how it positively impacts the people who encounter me and encounter my music.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Lol I can say that happened this past summer. I had to readjust my perception of people I considered close to me not only in music but in life and I had to circumnavigate my way through removing people from my circle. It was tough but it was something that was necessary. A major shift was necessary and it naturally came about. You aren’t always gonna get to the Gold with the same people you started with. You sometimes have to let people be who they are whether they turn out to be for you or against you. At the end of the day you learn, you adjust, and you keep pushing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: makaveli_thedon912
- Facebook: Niko Makaveli
- Twitter: @SlightworkNiko
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC3ewG62_0KOEpJpb38Qn6sw