Game On: Conversation With Recording Artist Nick Nittoli

Born in Garfield, New Jersey Nick Nittoli is an American actor, musician, and hip hop artist signed to Warner Chappell Music Publishing. He originally gained fame and notoriety from Bravo’s Platinum Hit. In 2003 he made his movie debut Down the Barrel as Nathan. In 2013, Nick partnered with Trend Def, a West Hollywood-based studio with a Sony Orchard distribution deal. Since joining Trend Def, Nick has had several dozen songs released, including features by rappers like Snoop Dogg, YG, and French Montana, and began writing and producing for artists like Zendaya, Neon Hitch, Bianca Ryan, Sam Bruno, and countless others.

LS: How would you describe your musical ear?

NN: I’m a trained musician. I play five instruments and I sing I would say my ears are very eclectic.

LS: Where does your creativity flow? How do you avoid burning out?

NN: I’m a very creative person. Movies television shows Continuously yeah I will inspire me. Always working on something new. I’m a writer-producer and an artist so if something bores me I move to one of the next jobs.

LS: What was the most defining time for you?

NN: When Snoop Dogg decided to use my exact music and melody in the song that I did with him.

LS: Tell us about the vision behind your music?

NN: My goal is to connect people from all races and all genre of music

LS: You are a very accomplished producer and artist, you have been the music behind many popular sounds. Tell us about the concept behind the song and video “I Wonder”?

NN: The concept and meaning behind the song “I Wonder” was basically to motivate people to ask questions about what happened to some of our favorite celebrities and artist. To dig deeper and to look for hidden meanings and to try to see a bigger picture.

LS: There’s a heavy cost to pursuing and pulling your vision together. Who is your biggest support system throughout your journey?

NN: My family has always been a huge supporter and backer of my music. My grandparents who wrote a song for Frank Sinatra called here’s to the band and my girlfriend and her family have helped a ton with my music videos and promotion etc.

LS: How do you think COVID has affected the music industry?

NN: COVID-19 has had an impact on the music industry for many reasons but the main one I think is that there are no live shows and there is no ability to connect with your favorite artist or to go see your favorite artist in concert, as well as a lot of people, are not spending money right now and the music in history because they are saving their money for what could potentially be the end of the world

LS: You inspire so many in the music industry, how does that make you feel?

NN: Inspiring artists makes me feel great because a lot of other artists inspired me and I wouldn’t be doing this music today unless those artists came before me and pave the way. So inspiration is kind of like a recycling system… What goes around comes around

LS: If you could change anything about the music industry what would it be?

NN: If I could change something about the music industry I would make it so that people who have talent and maybe not $1 million in the bank could pursue their dreams and have equal respect and be able to equally compete with other people who have no talent or less talent and have millions of dollars to throw at their career. I believe that the music in history is unfairly split between classes of people based on monetary value as opposed to the actual value

LS: What advice do you have for aspiring producers and artists?

NN: My advice for any aspiring artist or producer is to never give up on your dream if you believe in it. To be consistent. To take your career seriously and to treat your career like a day job at Home Depot. Show up early clock in and work hard. But the most important thing is to have longevity and the only way to have longevity is to continue striving and not give up when times get hard

LS: What is next for Nick Nittoli?

NN: I have an upcoming album called self untitled which will be released sometime in the summertime and I am shooting a ton of new music videos as well! My top priority right now as an artist is to continuously put out new music videos a ton of content all the time and eventually begin touring and playing live shows once that’s available to Artists again