Confident with his lyrics and his message, Georgia State University student, B.I.G. Nel stands at the forefront of a movement that attempts to shift gears from negative misogynistic Hip-hop as the popular form of expression within the culture, to a message of positivity and empowerment. Having any understanding of the hip-hop genre, it is clear that his decision to create music that is influential in a positive way will be extremely difficult, but as B.I.G. Nel says, “You can’t expect for your success to be long lasting without struggle,” and with that in mind, B.I.G. Nel can certainly expect great achievements in his hip-hop career.
From his first album, The Black Power Album, which explores the various methods Black people use to gain power, you can expect to hear superb lyrics, messages concerning unity and a genuine homage to the individuals of the past who helped carve out a space for Black people in the United States. The album, which has seventeen tracks, teems with creativity. There are even tracks featuring speeches from the likes of Angela Davis and Malcolm X. With his music, B.I.G. Nel wants to influence and as he puts it, “Get in the ear of every youth worldwide.”
B.I.G. Nel already has an active history at Georgia State involving youth activism and community service. He started the group, I AM Hip-Hop, a concept developed by one of his favorite artists, KRS-1. The student group focused heavily on the various elements hip-hop consists of, including rapping, breaking, graffiti, and even beat boxing. They hosted events on campus that focused primarily on youth activism as well as forums concerning political consciousness and the entertainment industry. On The Black Power Album, B.I.G. Nel dedicates one of his tracks, “I Am Hip-Hop,” to the movement and references the various social movements that have come about because of it.
Creatively, B.I.G. Nel says, “[His] music comes from what he has gone through and the powerful figures that have influenced him.” The Chicago native sites revolutionary, Marcus Garvey as having a heavy influence on the content of his lyrics. Greats like Tupac Shakur, Scarface, UGK, Jay-Z and Biggie are just a few examples of artists who have impacted his message. “Biggie showed me that a hood cat didn’t have to be stupid,” says B.I.G Nel and this perspective is evident in his construction of his lyrics and the extensive amount of extended metaphors that make up The Black Power Album.
Now that the album is complete, B.I.G. Nel desires to revamp the group I Am Hip Hop at Georgia State and continue promoting his music. For those who do not think positivity cannot sell in this industry and wish to support underground artists, you can catch B.I.G. Nel at the Sweet Auburn Festival this year, May 7-9 as well as the Malcolm X Fest on May 22, 2010.
