Celebrity Talk - Up Close with Nicky Bondz
NICKY BONDZ is a talented artist with a mission to spread a message of positivity through his art and the power of music. We caught up with Nicky on the red carpet at Regard Magazine’s 10 year anniversary celebrating women in film + television!
The following has been edited for continuity purposes.
IDLA: Breaking into the music industry is tough, how'd you do it?
NB: It has been a lot of hard work, dedication, resiliency. It’s not an easy industry to break and there’s no specific way to do it. I have worked really hard at building my social media which I think has really helped me build an audience and a fanbase specific to my music. I am still learning though.
IDLA: What was the inspiration behind your music?
NB: I caught feelings for music when I was really young. My parents were younger and my dad was a major influence and inspiration. He introduced me to groups like Run DMC, Wu Tang and early house/dance music hits at a real early age. By the time I was 12 or 13 I loved music and had a wide array of influences, everything from hip hop to dance. My dad passed but I will always be inspired by the music he turned me onto.
IDLA: With music, what's your style?
NB: Eclectic EDM with a hint of hip hop in the vocals. It’s very commercial and mainstream.
IDLA: There is so much talent out there, how do you manage to create something different while staying true to yourself?
NB: I have a unique ear in terms of production and I try to take bits and pieces from artists that I like as inspiration and manifest my own take. So I love listening to artists that I enjoy – like Calvin Harris, Post Malone and Jon Bellion - - they all inspire me. I might take a certain vibe from a song I’m into and then add my own flair to it, so that it is unique and different.
IDLA: Who would you like to collaborate with? And why?
NB: Jon Bellion – he is so brilliant – he is from the same town. I am so inspired by his music. He would just sit in his car for 40 minutes and rip out these amazing beats. He’s so talented, I would love to collab with him. Jon, you listening? Haha!
IDLA: What's next?
NB: There is so much on the horizon for me form movies to tv and of course music. I’ll be releasing a 2-part album in a few months called Vizion 2020. I am going to be on Bravo’s “Blind Date” show on March 18th. I just shot a movie. It’s all coming full circle this year! Be sure to check out his latest single Satellites streaming on Spotify, Apple Music and all other platforms and you can catch the video here on YOUTUBE – https://youtu.be/q4ZcFpThoEU
