Niontay wants no introduction — his early-career co-signs say all of it.
At simply 26 years outdated, the 10K rapper has garnered assist and collaborations from Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE, the latter of whom has performed a key function within the kickstart of the rapper’s rebellion from the confines of the East Coast underground.
“MIKE put a battery in my again earlier than I even launched music,” Niontay instructed Hypebeast, the pair boasting 5 studio tracks as a unit.
Now, with two studio albums underneath his belt — recent off the discharge of Fada<3of$ on the finish of April — the Milwaukee-born, Florida-raised, Brooklyn-based rapper has established a tight-knit, symbiotic community of inventive collaborators, together with MAVI and Sideshow with Tony Seltzer on manufacturing.
What he hasn’t established, per se, is a signature sound — as a result of he doesn’t essentially wish to. “I don’t suppose I’ll ever make two albums that sound solely the identical,” he shared, explaining that he doesn’t method writing in a routine, structural manner in any respect. Generally the primary 4 bars he spits land completely because the hook, whereas in others, the ultimate verse comes first. All of the whereas, he ponders: “What even is construction in a tune anymore?”
When the rapper pulled as much as the Hypebeast studio, he donned a customized darkish denim zip-up work jacket with “Intercourse after church” embroidered on the again of the silhouette. That’s the rapper’s producer’s title, and his authentic artist title that he ended up altering after deciding it was too raunchy. He nonetheless needed to maintain it for one thing, so it’s nonetheless his Instagram title and producer tag, although not an alias. That’s the place lil peanutbutter is available in. A listed featured artist on Fada<3of$, peanutbutter delivers a few of bars on Tay’s favourite observe on the album “Stuntin’ like my baba,” taking a higher-pitched voice than the rapper’s typical persona.
Along with his primed manufacturing background and peanutbutter in tow, Niontay’s come-up is in progress, and we’re aware of it stay.
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
We’re simply over a month off from the discharge of Fada<3of$ – how are you feeling?
I’m feeling good. I’m proud of the reception. I feel the discharge occasion was what actually confirmed me the impression the challenge had and put that in perspective for me. Individuals coming as much as me and telling me they f*cked with it and that they purchased the vinyl. Sh*t’s not low cost.
How has your reference to MIKE impacted your profession?
It might have taken me a lot longer to determine all of it out and get to the place I’m as we speak if I didn’t know MIKE. He opened so many doorways for me. I’ll inform him that without end. He put a battery in my again earlier than I even launched music. Whereas I used to be in my head, he was simply reassuring me like “You bought it. Don’t even journey.”
When did you first begin making music?
I began taking part in round with making music in 2015 after I was 16. I downloaded this platform known as Mixpad. You possibly can document your self and make beats on it – kinda Ableton-ish.
When did you drop the primary piece of music that you just felt good about?
In all probability in 2019. That was after I began dropping sh*t that I didn’t really feel dangerous about telling individuals to hearken to and saying “I’m a rapper.”
Nayquan Shuler
Who’s Sexafterchurch (your producer alias) in relation to Niontay and your credited alter ego, lil peanutbutter?
Sexafterchurch isn’t actually an alias. It was my artist title at first, however then I made a decision to vary it as a result of it felt a little bit too raunchy. Individuals had been like “We f*ck with bro, however he ought to change his title.” So I modified my title. However it’s nonetheless my Instagram title, so I needed to maintain it for one thing. lil peanutbutter is my alter ego.
How are you aware whenever you wish to faucet into lil peanutbutter?
It’s actually all about the subject material. I simply take into consideration who could be the higher rapper to ship the lyrics.
“I really feel like an actual rockstar.”
What was your mindset going into constructing this album?
Actually, I wasn’t desirous about it too onerous. I wasn’t attempting to make an album. That wasn’t the aim. I used to be simply making music. I didn’t put that strain on myself of “Each tune must be for the album.” After about two years, I ended up with a bunch of songs, and I lastly began going by means of all of them. I knew sure ones needed to be on the album, like “Prime da prime” and “mumbleman.” I performed the remaining for the homies and acquired their enter, and that’s how I made the album.
Did you ever really feel strain to drop a challenge?
Towards the top of the 2 years. I began getting on myself extra like, “Tighten up. Drop. You bought all this music. Put all of it collectively. Come on.” So I lastly did.
Nayquan Shuler
How do you method the writing course of?
It relies upon. Generally, I hear a beat, and I do know the primary 4 bars I say would be the hook. Different instances, it’ll simply be no matter I’m feeling. What even is “construction” in a tune anymore? You hear rappers rap what you suppose is the hook, but it surely’s actually the verse, and you then suppose it’s lastly the hook, but it surely’s nonetheless the primary verse.
How would you describe this album in relation to Diontay’s inferno?
Diontay’s Inferno was me discovering myself. I feel n*ggas prefer it so much as a result of it’s so uncooked. I used to be taking part in with loads of totally different sounds. However this album is me coming in as a extra established artist and acknowledging that, like, “I am an artist, let me converse extra clearly. Let me put extra vitality into this verse.” General, it’s only a extra polished challenge. I don’t suppose I’ll ever make two albums that sound solely the identical.
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
Why didn’t you select to supply the complete challenge?
I considered producing the entire thing however there are too many good ass producers out proper now who I needed on there – MIKE, Harrison, Tony Seltzer, WTFOMARI!, Evilgiane.
One thing distinctive about this challenge is the inclusion of talking elements as interludes or added onto the top of tracks. May you say extra on this?
On “32ummers,” that’s my mother speaking on the finish. That’s her humorous ass. The remainder of the album’s interludes come from movies I like on YouTube. The one on “FULLCOURTPRESSHA” comes from this outdated gangster documentary I watched in London with Omari.
The place else do you draw inspiration from?
I actually admire the way in which rockstars carry themselves. I really feel like an actual rockstar. I draw loads of inspiration from the golden age of rock n’ roll, like Ozzy Osbourne. I attempt to hold that mindset after I method designing my merch and my stay performances.
What’s subsequent for you?
10K is gonna have a loopy 12 months. MIKE’s acquired 30 tapes able to go, so how can I not be able to go myself?
