Interviews & Profiles

NYASIA
Interview by Francis Tanneur

Could you tell us a little bit more about yourself? Well, let’s see. I was born in West Palm Beach Florida, but raised in NY. I work for a software company as my regular job, and you know what I do at night! Lol. I live in New York City.  What is the exact meaning of Nyasia? To make a long story short a friend of mine had a friend who died of Leukemia and he wanted to honor her name, so we change it around a little and used it as my stage name, which now became my legal name.

Why did you choose this name for your career? Besides the fact that it’s a beautiful name, it also brings more attention than my given name. Lol.  How did you get involved in Music business? Believe it or not, I got involved in the music industry as a favor for a friend of mine. He needed a dancer for a group he had, which consisted of Willie Valentin (Artistik Records) and Michael Bertot (he wrote “Now & Forever”) and I was seen at a big Hispanic Worlds Fair in NY. The person asked me if I sing, and I said “ In the shower” and in “Church”. So, I auditioned for him. Then we met Nelson Cruz and he liked the song and took it to MicMac Records. The rest is History…

 So, you career began 10 years (Happy B-day Nyasia!) ago with “Now and forever” on MicMac Records. What was your first reaction and impression when you got the vinyl copy of “Now and forever” in your hands?

I went to my bedroom and looked at it for almost a half-hour and then started to autograph a few personal ones, and all the while I had the most ridiculous smile on my face!!!  

How has the welcome been?

The welcome has always been great. The fans and I have a really good relationship. They e-mail me all the time or we will talk on the ClubFreestyle.com message board. The radios have also always been great to me.

How did you meet the prolific producer Nelson “FFWD” Cruz? Do you think that he is the detonator of your career?

I think that a lot of people had a great big hand in my career, but Mr. Nelson Cruz definitely pushed the button on that detonator! Thanks Nelson, again and again and again…  

You had the opportunity to work with a bunch of renown producers (Nelson “FFWD” Cruz, Mike Lorello, Mickey Garcia, Elvin Molina, Charlie “Rock” Jimenez, Elis Pacheco, Mauro P. Desantis, Willie “Valentin” Rivera, to name a few!). How was it to work with each of them? Do they have the same way to work? It was great working with these guys! They all have a great sense of music and (humor) Lol. They each have they’re own different way of producing which made it all so much fun to work with them. Once we were in the studio recording the duet between David and myself “Stronger Together” and I couldn’t hit a note because I was insecure about it, and Elis Pacheco screams from the other side of the vocal room “You’re an Artist, you better hit that note!!!” He scared me into singing that note, from then on, I always here him yelling at me and I wake up and hit my notes! Lol.  .

During your MicMac Records period, did you feel any concurrence between the other female label mates, as for instance with Cynthia, Tiana and Abby Lynn, or did you work in a perfect osmosis?

When I first signed onto MicMac everyone was really open and inviting. I never had a problem with any of the other female artist on MicMac and I think that is because we all had our own different styles so we weren’t stepping on any toes. 

You did a part of your career (from 1991 to 1995) under one of the most productive label of the eighties and the nineties: MicMac Records. Why did you stay so faithful to this record company?

Well, because they were the ones who gave me my start. They introduced me to a world that became a very huge part of my life, and still is. 

What was your reaction when this terrific label closed down its offices definitely a few years ago?

I was surprised by it. Not by what cause it to close down but that fact that it did close. I always thought they would be around much longer. But life goes on for everyone. 

How was your experience with X-Clusive Records (a label located in Florida)? Why didn’t this wonderful Freestyle gem “I feel the way u do” (1996) receive the audience that it deserves?

“I feel the way you do” is actually the first song I wrote and it was put out on X-Clusive Records but it was not promoted well.

Unfortunately, the label and I had very strong different views so we parted ways. 

Musically talking, what happened to Nyasia between 1997 and 2001 (the year of your comeback)?

I was sorting out my personal life, I moved to Florida to try to find myself and find peace with my life. On my return to NY in 97 I was preparing for the new addition to my family, my new little baby boy. So I have been more mother than performer in the last years. I still perform here and there, but motherhood kind of grounded me. But I am happy!

 Your new song “True love” is available on Artistik Recordings (owned by Willie “Valentin” Rivera). Is it not a kind of return to the source for I know that he helped you at the beginning of your career?

Yes in a way it is. I was glad to work with Willie Valentin again, he’s like a really really really big brother! Lol. He’s terrific to work with. Always has been.

What is your best and worse souvenir in Freestyle music? My best souvenir would have to be… my first album CD. And a bruise on my knee from Marc Anthony (back when he was a Freestyle artist) that was caused by him letting his huge portable phone fall on my knee in a studio! Lol. I have never gotten any bad souvenirs.  Why did you choose Freestyle music for your career? Because the words and music move my soul.

 What does represent Freestyle music in your life?

It represents passion, happiness, love, good times, and good memories. And great friendships. 

In your opinion, why is somebody who’s listened to Freestyle once, keeping his faith (for the most of them) for this music? Do you think that this music possesses a kind of aura?

I believe that is does have an Aura about it. But just like any other type of music. It’s all about how you relate to the music and the words you are hearing. 

What is your favorite Freestyle song?

Wow I have a lot of them. “Let me be the one” by Sa-Fire, “Fantasy girl” by Johnny O and “Please stay tonight” by Judy Torres. 

What is your favorite style of Freestyle music (Latin Hip-Hop, Progessive Freestyle, New School, etc.)? Why?

I would have to say Old School, for the most part. Which doesn’t mean that New School isn’t just as good (Synthia Figueroa) for example is slammin’, but since we don’t hear it much or at all on the radio it’s hard to compare. 

Do you enjoy other types of music?

Oh definitely! I love Rock (Metallica, Aerosmith) New Age (Yanny), Country (Faith Hill), Classic (Mozart, Beethoven) R&B (Toni Braxton) I like Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, POD! Missy Elliiot (Hip-Hop) Shakira, Selena, etc. I just love music period!

Lol. 

What do you think of the current Freestyle scene and market?

It’s sad. There just isn’t as much support for it. Although I still think it will always be around no matter what, because that’s just the way Freestyle is. 

Why has Freestyle music become an underground music?

When people started to go their own directions, and Hip-Hop blasted onto the scene, Freestyle was no longer the cool music to listen too. There was a new kid on the block so it got pushed to the back burner where is has been for the last few years, but like “Giggles” said “what goes around comes around” and I believe it will make its return in full force one day. 

What is the future of Freestyle music?

I think that is hard to predict. At this point it could go in any direction… depending on what the people want. 

What would you change in the Freestyle industry today?

The music, we need producers to step up with new sounds. We need more Carlos Berrios, and Chris Barbosa out there.

Let’s not be scared to be different. 

What advice or message would you give to future artists?

You have to want it with every fiber in your body, because it’s a tough road to ride, but if you want it that bad go for it. Never loose sight of where you started. 

Do you have any particular message to give to the Freestyle community?

Yes… I love each and everyone of you, for always supporting the Freestyle world and for the respect and love you have always shown us. 

Thank you so much Nyasia for accepting this interview.

Your Welcome my dear! Lol. ;)

Thank you for asking.

The End

Interviews & Profiles