PROFILE: WHO THE FUCK IS NICK SHADES
We can't quite figure out just why Nick Shades hasn't blown the fuck up. O, the internet can be such a fickle mistress!
But really. Who the fuck is Nick Shades? According to his Facebook he's a 17 year old cat from Miami (but we hazard he's actually a sprite older than that now) and his Soundcloud dates back 2 years, and it is all. good. shit.
He reps the Terror Squad and appears on Fat Joe's new mixtape, The Darkside III (sionara, Fat Joe, in the clink!) and we first heard him on the Diamond D produced track "The Cypher" blowing up this track and "The Bass" (prod.Cool and Dre). We were so inspired by his flow that we went on a deep dive to hear what he's about.
The internet is actually pretty quiet on Nick Shades' bio (No, he is not Nick Schades the boat builder), but we trust this won't be for too much longer. Once he drops an EP we suspect there will be comparisons to Joey Badassitude in terms of vocal tone and flow and the fact that he clearly respects a classic not-overproduced beat-- but Shades can, and will, hold his own.
We've been chillin in his Soundcloud like it was a hot tub, and we gotta say--this kid is smart about what beats he raps on (ok maybe he doesn't pollute his Soundcloud with B-sides) but for real, there are some good choices here. Nixon kills it on "Adrenochrome" with the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas samples and breaks. Like any good rap, the production on the beat and the rap work together in blissful harmony, like cream in a canoli. We also rep "Narrow" and "D.C.S.O.M."
According to the internets, the #MakeShadesFamous EP is coming soon. We gon stay awake for this one.
Oh, we also notice a theme here that sets Nick Shades apart from other young rappers. Take note, fam: Every rapper talks, but very few have something to say.... --the Killas