Corner Bodega to Worldwide Respect
INTERVIEW TERREL “REALIFE” BLACK PHOTOGRAPH
From the corner bodega cyphers of Flushing, Queens, to international stages, Nutso has been a steadfast presence in hip hop for over 25 years. Known for his raw storytelling, nostalgic beats, and unwavering dedication to the culture, he’s navigated the evolution of the game while staying true to his roots. In this exclusive interview with VALIDATED Magazine, Nutso takes us through his earliest memories of hip hop, his rise on the battle circuit, collaborations with legendary MCs and producers, and his journey into production. From vinyl to digital, street life to global tours, he shares the experiences, lessons, and philosophies that continue to shape his music and influence a new generation of hip hop fans worldwide.
VALIDATED: Growing up in Flushing, Queens, what were some of your earliest memories of hip hop and how did they shape your style?
NUTSO: Some of my hip hop memories from growing up in Corona to Flushing, Queens, come from the late ’80s and ’90s era. Breakdancing, beatboxing, and freestyling on every corner bodega were all part of the culture. I remember watching music videos on Video Music Box and Yo! MTV Raps. The hood life—the poverty, the struggle, and the hustle—all helped shape my style, influenced by everything that surrounded me.
VALIDATED: You started beatboxing on the corners when your radio batteries ran out—how did those early improvisations influence your later music?
NUTSO: I learned that with beatboxing I could produce music—my mouth created drum effects. That later shaped my goal to make beats with a beat machine. RIP Biz Markie, The Fat Boys, and Rahzel, who all inspired me.
I also remember seeing my pops playing the conga drums, and I used to beat on classroom tables until I got kicked out of class—and even school, lol. It’s in my DNA. I’m from the Caribbean, and the islands are a part of my soul.
VALIDATED: Can you talk about your time on the battle circuit at spots like the Nuyorican Poets Café and Lyricist Lounge? Any battles that still stand out to you?
NUTSO: In my late teens, I had a couple of battle raps at the Nuyorican Poets Café, Lyricist Lounge, Fat Beats, and Rock Steady Crew battles. They weren’t major battle circuits, but they gave me the focus to keep pushing forward with what I do. I even came in first place at the EOW (End of the Weak) battle at The Pyramid in the LES, where DJ Scram Jones was on set.
VALIDATED: You’ve worked with legendary MCs like Blaq Poet, Sadat X, and Kool G. Rap, as well as new-school artists like Jay Rock and Nipsey Hussle. How do you approach collaborations with artists from such different eras?
NUTSO: We are connected from the streets, family—from the hood to the music industry. Meeting up at hip hop events, shows, concerts, radio stations, and through mutual friends or straight networking, that’s how it all came together. Remember, we were all fans before becoming artists and musicians, and that’s how my name got around these streets.
We come from an era where there was no social media, so you had to show face if you wanted to get into the hip hop community and earn respect. Even though I had my street cred, you still had to rap your ass off, you dig? A lot of the legends I collaborated with back then, I’m still connected with to this day.
VALIDATED: You’ve also worked with top producers like DJ Pain1, Warren G, Don Cannon, and now produce under THE REAL NUTSO. How has stepping into production changed your creative process?
NUTSO: Stepping into production has enhanced my ability to express my alter ego. I used to beatbox, so coming up with sounds, instruments, and chopping up old-school samples was always in my nature. I grew up in a soulful Latin, reggae, funk, and hip hop community, so I was already inspired to make beats just from being around the hip hop legends in the neighborhoods where I came up.
It took me a while to actually start producing, though I always had an interest. Just a couple of years ago, my mentor, longtime friend, and business partner, Cee Da Cuban, put a battery in my back to cop my first beat machine—and now I love it. I feel like a kid in Toys “R” Us. After 25+ years in the music industry, it feels like the pieces to my puzzle are finally complete.
VALIDATED: Your instrumental project “THE MC INSTRUMENTALS VOL. 1” is gaining buzz. What was the inspiration behind creating instrumentals as a series, and what can fans expect from Vol. 2?
NUTSO: The inspiration behind creating the instrumental album was to give fans of all genres and ages worldwide a chance to experience our music without lyrics. Cee Da Cuban and I linked up in the studio and decided we wanted to showcase the diversity of our different styles.
This project is for artists and music lovers alike—you can vibe out to it in the car, at the office, or even write your own lyrics to these beats. And trust, fans can expect Volume 2 to slap even harder than the first. Stay tuned.
VALIDATED: Your music spans from hard rhymes to humor-infused storytelling. How do you balance street life experiences with fun in your verses?
NUTSO: I’m able to balance humor and street life because it’s natural to me. I come from that crazy environment. I was really on the block hustling, snapping, and rapping—from the projects to the corner bodega.
I also feel that humor lightens up the darkness of living in that space, where you witness so much death, trauma, violence, envy, and jealousy. In the hood, you see your best friends kill each other, and some are locked up, never to see the light again. So when I came on the block with the jokes, even on a bad day, I could make people laugh. Sometimes we’d scuffle and fight, but that was part of growing up in the ghettos. That’s why I incorporated it into my music.
VALIDATED: You recent single ‘Gotta Get It’ feels like a personal mantra—how does this track reflect where you’re at in life right now?
NUTSO: It’s my daily mantra. I literally begin each day by setting goals for what I want to accomplish. I focus on my health, my family, my career, and new endeavors. I mind my own business and network. I always gotta get it—QGTM mentality.
VALIDATED: With over 25 years in the game, how has your writing and recording process evolved since the mid-90s?
NUTSO: If you listen to my music, you’ll notice that I touch on a lot of different topics—from politics to domestic violence, abuse, racism, and world crises. My subject matter has evolved from just corner block talk into something much deeper.
I even built my own studio at home, where I produce and make beats. Having that creative space allows me to keep growing as an artist and stay true to myself.
VALIDATED: You’ve performed for crowds of 20,000 in Europe, Japan, and beyond. How does performing internationally differ from performing in the U.S., and what have you learned from those experiences?
NUTSO: I feel like performing overseas, the fans appreciate your music even more. I remember being on tour with Redman and Craig G—a group of female breakdancers decided to dance during my set, and then Redman asked if I could get them on his set (lol). There’s just a different energy and love over there.
I’ve had wild experiences, like fans asking for my autograph on their grandmother’s neck (lol). The support is real—I even have fans who travel from overseas to New York just to see me perform.
VALIDATED: You’ve collaborated with crews in Germany, Norway, Russia, France, Australia, and Japan. How do you adapt your style for different audiences while keeping it true to your roots?
NUTSO: Hip hop is a universal language, so adapting to different environments overseas comes naturally. I’ve had the illest gangsters from overseas pick me up from airports and hotels, drive me to shows or radio stations, and we became brothers for life. I’m still making music and staying in contact with them to this day.
Just imagine—I was on tour in Spain for a month with my brother, El Meswy, a legendary MC from Madrid. To be honest, I was just being myself. I’m from the hood, so I love going to the ghettos to see where people come from and how they’re living—in Africa, Spain, Sweden, France, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Japan, and beyond. This hip hop community is worldwide; it’s like a big family affair whenever I’m out there.
VALIDATED: You’ve received co-signs from legends like DJ Premier, Funkmaster Flex, and others. How important have these endorsements been to your career?
NUTSO: DJs never cosigned me—they played my records simply because they liked the music, with no money changing hands. I know it was all genuine love and respect for my craft. DJs are extremely important, especially in the era I come from.
So when legends like DJ Premier, DJ Camillo, Deejay Toshi, and the late DJ Kay Stay played my music on Hot 97 and Sirius XM, it exposed me to a much larger audience. DJ Envy and DJ WhooKid even hosted a mixtape for me titled Bang Time. I’ve collaborated with both underground and mainstream DJs as well, building bridges across the hip hop community.
VALIDATED: What advice do you give to young MCs trying to navigate today’s hip hop industry without compromising their voice?
NUTSO: Do not follow trends—follow your passion. Stay focused and consistent. Learn the history of where hip hop originated, and respect the MCs, producers, DJs, and artists who paved the way for us to be heard worldwide.
VALIDATED: You’ve committed to staying alcohol- and drug-free. How has this “New Nutso” mindset impacted your music and life?
NUTSO: Being alcohol- and drug-free has opened my mind and allowed me to see life more clearly. I focused on my health, eating right, and exercising more. I started producing beats, and every aspect of my life improved. I also got into the medical field, bought a house, and made new investments with my wife.
VALIDATED: You’ve talked about bringing back “Park Bench Music.” What does that mean to you, and how do you hope it resonates with listeners today?
NUTSO: I’ve put my heart and personal experiences into my music, so that deep connection to the streets and my love for hip hop will definitely resonate with audiences worldwide. My music carries a lot of nostalgic vibes—I bring people back to the essence, the mecca of where it all started, because in all actuality, hip hop started in the streets. I only speak the truth.
Beyond getting locked up, selling drugs, and experiencing violence, I was there firsthand. I have no regrets, because those experiences shaped me into the man I am today. Gratitude in your attitude is key. I also aim to educate the youth that they don’t have to choose street life to fit in with certain crowds. A lot of my childhood friends were killed over mere image issues, and I reflect on those scenarios in my music.
VALIDATED: Vinyl or digital—what’s your preference and why?
NUTSO: Yeah, people always ask me this question, and I love it. Remember, I come from back in the day—cassette tapes and CDs in my boombox. I prefer vinyl over digital, though I do use digital software now, along with my MPC, to produce. Digital definitely opens doors to other platforms, but I still prefer that hard copy—the physical copy—where you can read the credits, look at the album art, and actually own it. It’s yours, and you can add it to your vintage collection.
VALIDATED: Favorite city to perform in and why?
NUTSO: Besides tearing up stages in my own city of New York and traveling the world, I can say that Madrid, Spain, will always be one of my favorites because of the love and energy from the crowd. I felt like a superstar out there, like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, or Nas performing. They’ve rolled out the red carpet for me every time—mad love, that’s family.
I’ve also performed in Spain on tour with The Beatnuts. The artist El Meswy brought us out a couple of times, and we became good friends. When our mothers were both diagnosed with breast cancer, our moms stayed connected all the way from overseas. It’s amazing—all because of hip hop—and both of our mothers are survivors to this day.
VALIDATED: If you could collaborate with any artist, living or passed, who would it be?
NUTSO: Big L, Big Pun, DMX, Nas, Jadakiss, and 50 Cent—I remember them all. I also had the honor of collaborating with the late Prodigy and Nipsey Hussle. God bless their souls.
VALIDATED: What’s next for Nutso?
NUTSO: Listen, I’m in my 40s now, and I’m still making music, still making money, and still having fun. I’m currently working on a few projects. I have an album coming out with Cee Da Cuban—my mentor and business partner—and our new instrumental album, Soon Vol. 2, is dropping, continuing that series.
I’m also continuing the Mr. Collabo series, which features all the collaborations I’ve done with artists from 1999 and onward. On top of that, I have a solo album dropping next year that I’m very excited about. Right now, I also have a new single out, with the video coming soon. I’m just out here doing my due diligence, creating dope, raw music for music lovers worldwide.