I Speak Pain
Philly’s newest phenom, Nazzy the Mic (born Norelle Hampton), hits the ground running with her emotional album I Speak Pain, to be released on February 25th by Firebrand Entertainment. The record takes you through Nazzy’s traumatic life story, which has forced her to become introspective and grow up too fast.
I Speak Pain feels more like an intimate therapy session than a performance. Listeners get to hear the self-proclaimed “pain rapper” process her internal and external struggles through her raw and real lyrics. Internally, she is coming to terms with her identity as a gay, Muslim woman, her relationship with her parents, and sense of abandonment.
Meanwhile, Nazzy also raps about the legal troubles and dangerous situations she and her friends and family have faced while growing up on the streets of Philly. The entire album utilizes melancholy melodies and driving beats to underscore Nazzy’s pain, but each song is different enough to keep the listener sticking out the journey.
Nazzy’s rhymes reflect a maturity and a sense of self that makes it hard to believe she is only 17 years old. Don’t let her age fool you, though. She’s been rapping since the tender age of 6, and recording demos since 12. This experience has given her a strong understanding of her own musicality, and she posses the skills needed to write clever and intriguing lyrics. Despite all the pain, there is a glimmer of hope in her music that lets you know she is still a kid - still looking for the opportunity to grow and create a life for herself.
The album’s first single, “Last Scar,” and it’s accompanying music video, paints a picture of who Nazzy is for the audience. Director Peter Insinna juxtaposes her need for a hardened exterior with an innocence and desire to grow. The visuals cut between Nazzy riding through Philly and rapping in a childhood bedroom. Nazzy says of the track, “‘Last Scar’ is me having a conversation with the microphone about what’s been on my mind lately. I’m a pain rapper, so nine times outta ten that’s what you’re gone hear from me.” The beats and sincere piano chords are compelling without drowning out her important lyrics. The track features her strong and authentic voice, and sets her up for a great album release.
Nazzy the Mic is proof that being a young gun doesn’t mean you have to sound like an amateur. She’s got the potential for a long career, and I’m personally very interested to see the direction she takes.
Photos via https://www.instagram.com/n4zzyofficial/
