Let’s get down to business
I go by the name Ness Julius. I’m an artist from California. I grew up in a small town two hours outside of LA called Bakersfield. I’ve always had a passion for music — it just became stronger as I got older. It started off with me writing poems and short stories, Then as I got older I wanted to sing so I practiced writing raps in my free time. I began recording my freshman year of high school. I’m 20 now and haven’t looked back.
Chatting with Ness was an absolute pleasure. It’s evident through both his music and his words that he’s a very inspiring man with the passion and hunger of a true artist. Working with music as long as he has it’s amazing that he has the same vigor as a newbie; in reading this interview I know it’ll become as clear to you as it did me that Ness is a true star. Links to his social media and current projects will be provided throughout the article so please feel free to check him out!
Q: What album inspired your (creative) style?
A: Definitely has to be PARTYNEXTDOOR3. That album changed a lot of things for me. It led me to working with Bizness Boi in LA. That was back when I was strictly a rapper but that album allowed me to understand what it was to get creative with a sound and create a unique vibe.
Q: Where’s the one place you’d love to preform?
A: I would love to preform in London.
One of the biggest accomplishments for an artist is gaining support overseas. It shows that their music transcends local boundaries. So naturally, like any other artist would, Ness admits his desire is fo travel abroad.
Q: Do you believe competition helps or hurts an artist?
A: I believe it both helps and hurts an artist I would say I am my biggest critic. I go so hard on myself that by the time a critic comes around to judge me I just got done judging myself for making that same mistake over and over. But competition helps because you see what’s going on around you and you can join in for the fun or you can duke it out and show your worth. It can also hurt you if you’re too caught up in trying to outdo others and less focused on making good music.
Q: What do you love most about your music?
A: What I love most about my music is that it’s real. Ecerything I’ve gone through I’ve put into my latest body of work. It’s the start of the best music of my life!
Despite having a range of music from party songs to romantic ballads Ness certainly maintains the same core sound. It benefits an artist to stay true to themselves because it makes all their work cohesive and Ness nails that from song to song.
Q: What was your first live performance like?
A:
My first perfromance was nerve wracking. The people that worked the venue made us close the show and there were no people left to watch us. There were only about 4-6 people. Including my parents so we just performed and put on a show like regular. It was a good practice though. I feel like my stage presence can definitely be worked on. some more. If I could loosen up more and be genuine I think that would hopefully strengthen it.
Q: Who is your musical soul brother/sister?
A: My musical soul brother is Drake. I just feel like I can relate to almost all of his music. It’s gotten to a point where now that I’m older I go back and listen to some of his older music and I’m like “damn he understands”. Drake is the voice of a generation. Plenty of people have gone to him when they going through rough patches
Q: Who’s your favorite current female rapper?
A: My favorite female rapper currently is probably Meg or Rico Nasty. I would still love to work with Rico in the near future
This question was important to add mainly because in a field ran by predominantly men it’s important to give props to the women who’re doing just as good (if not twenty times better) than the men. Ness did a beautiful job selecting two of the women currently dominating rap. We’d love to hear a collaboration someday!
Q: Are you a perfectionist or do you permit yourself to make creative mistakes?
A: I am definitely a perfectionist. Especially now that there’s so much pressure on me.
As any artist knows art in all of it’s forms is subjective. Creators have flexibility to express themselves in an organized and cohesive matter or as a complete stream of consciousness. Art is malleable, non-tangible but most importantly a reflection of the artist so there can be leeway for hiccups in the name of creativity. However certain artists may feel the need to work their fingers to the bone to create the “perfect” piece. Ness details how rising platform now pressures him to be more meticulous about nailing all the details on his craft.
I have to go into the studio each time with the idea that I need to top my last work. There’s no sense in putting anything out if it isn’t better than the last. I absolutely need to be better. Find a way to up the ante.
Q: What would you say your defining moment as an artist has been so far?
A: My defining moment has come yet.
No matter how big an artist gets there’s always gonna be a defining moment for an era/particular span of time within their career. However Ness explains he hasn’t felt it’s come yet and that’s a valid response. He explains what he’s been through so far are “sings and tests” preparing him for what is to come next. Whenever that moment comes we sure hope we’re able to witness Ness claim his victory!
Q: What was the last song you listened to?
A: It was a leak; No Guidance by Chris Brown feat. Drake. It threw me off because they sampled Che Ecru. A couple years ago I worked on a record that he produced for me because he was feeling one of my singles. That record is still in my files on my computer. I’ve just grown so much in the past few years that I get embarrassed to listen to my old music. That song means so much to me and my journey as an artist
Q: Where would you like to end up in 30 years?
A:
In thirty years I want to be one of the best songwriters in the game. I also would like to leave my stamp on the game similar to what Nipsey did with his time here, I know this sounds cliche but I want to be one of the more well regarded artists in the game. I also would love to dip into fashion and modeling as well as design, I would love to see my clothing company take off and have my own stores in multiple cities. But even if this music shit dosen’t take off for me I have a back up plan. I’d go back to school and become a nurse like my mother.
Shout out to Ness Julius for agreeing to interview and featured on Nefarious Supply. If you wanna keep up with Ness you can follow him on his Instagram . You can also check out his new releases above via his Soundcloud above, and be sure to look out for more content from Ness Julius!
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