We’re back with another installation of TuneCore Tuesdays, an Artist Spotlight series that highlights musicians & industry pros who are writing, recording, & hustling on their own terms. By showcasing creatives doing it their way all over the globe, TuneCore Tuesdays aims to empower & inspire our diverse community of independent artists.
This week we’re talking to NYC-based rapper No Komment. Born & raised in Ossining, NY, No Komment’s rap style exudes quintessential New York grit. His east-coast technique couples with a deep-rooted love & respect for his Pakistani-American heritage; No Komment draws both his best work & his inspiration from the community. Check out his video below & be sure to learn more about his journey.
How did you get your start in music?
“I started pretty young, in terms of being on stage. As I got a little bit older, y’know, there’s bullying when you grow up & jokes are always being thrown around– especially in a New York elementary school– so when that would happen I noticed I had an affinity for making words rhyme. I was watching shows like Yo Mama, and Wildin’ Out was comin’ out, and I was like “Yo, I can really get these boys. Lemme start rap battling.” That was where I first started rapping.”
“From there, it was just a love for hip-hop music. I have a sister– who I love very dearly– and she put me onto so much music, so much hip-hop. I remember when she gave me the Get Rich or Die Tryin’ album, I was like “I wanna make music like this.” Fast forward a few years, I started recording.”
How has your creative process evolved over your career?
“[Writing music] become a refined process for me. My friends will joke on me when they see me writing because I’ll pace around a room just to keep my mind active. All of that rap battling I did growing up allowed me to become an incredible freestyle rapper– so I can go off top– but I’m very proud of my pen. My process is all about finding that sweet spot & really honing in on the music.”
I’ve seen tremendous growth just by honing in on my process, making songs that I wanna listen to, not being afraid to not release certain music until it’s ready, & not always feeling the pressure. I made that a conscious decision.
No Komment
What struggles have you overcome as you’ve grown as a rapper? Do you have any advice for up & coming hip-hop artists?
“I’ve taken breaks. I was getting after it trying to be the next big thing and we had some success & viral songs, but I burned out. I got too far away from my creativity and too into the business without really knowing what I was doing. After a short break two-three years ago, I’ve seen tremendous growth just by honing in on my process, making songs that I wanna listen to, not being afraid to not release certain music until it’s ready, & not always feeling the pressure. Make that a conscious decision.”
How did you make that change?
“I went out of my way to gain a job that would be remote, where I could make extra money to pay the bills, and my back’s not against the wall when I’m pursuing my music. That space helped me make the music I wanna make & freed up time to figure out marketing so my music can reach wider audiences. Now, the quality is what shines most.”
What inspires your music today?
“At this stage in my career, my inspiration has evolved. Early on it was all about being the best; tryin’ to be better than whoever was bullying me in school or the friends who were jokin’ on me. Then, it was about impressing women and trying to be a playboy. There was a lot of bravado was in my music. Now, it’s about me, my friends, and our collective creative process. My friends produce my beats, my friends design my clothes. We are all so creative & talented; my inspiration now comes from all of them.”
“My hometown needs this story to be told. I grew up in a town where some people have a lot, and some people have very little. I was always in the middle and saw all sides of it, so I wanna be the person that helps all these voices feel heard. My biggest inspiration is my people.”
My inspiration has evolved…Now, it’s about me, my friends, and our collective creative process. My friends produce my beats, my friends design my clothes. We’re all so creative & talented; my inspiration comes from all of them.
No Komment
No Komment’s latest single ‘Flowers‘ is now available on all Digital Stores, including Apple Music & Spotify. Discover all of his latest music and follow his journey here.
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