It’s Friday, May 2nd, in New York City, and the temperature has risen just high enough for you to hear the faint sounds of “Still Not A Player” by Big Pun or “No Letting Go” by Wayne Wonder seeping out of car stereos. The New York Knicks are in the process of making their deepest playoff run in over 25 years; the Yankees have a sizeable lead in the AL East standings, and the NFL Draft has just wrapped up, which means Jets fans still have hope for the season. At times like this, it’s easy to see why someone visiting the city would want to stick around. “I’m actually trying to move out here,” said Nippa, a dynamic musician from Tottenham co-signed by BLXST, Boi-1da, and several other artists.
Nippa is one week away from releasing his latest EP, Hope She Hears This, and he’s making his way through New York promoting the project as he stops in Queensbridge, catches up with producer Cash Cobain, and grabs a bite to eat at Sei Less. During a moment of downtime at his hotel, the emerging UK vocalist opened up about his latest project, the challenges of being an independent artist, and his single, “Unfair.”
Ryan Shepard: Yeah, yeah. How’ve you been liking it in New York the last few days, bro?
Nippa: Man, I’ve been enjoying it. I’m actually trying to move out here. I even went to a viewing today—just trying to figure out where to stay. I’m not trying to end up in the hood, you know?
Ryan: There are a few good spots out here. So, first question—next year marks five years since you dropped the video for “Situation.” How has your life changed since then?
Nippa: It’s changed a lot. When I really look at it, “Situation” shifted my whole trajectory. I didn’t even think music was going to be a path for me, but now, music is everything. I wake up thinking about making music. Every situation I’m in, I’m thinking, “This could sound good in a song.” It’s crazy—before that, I was thinking about uni, education, maybe getting a job. But “Situation” just pulled me back into something I forgot I always loved.
Ryan: In an old interview with Dazed, you mentioned not always liking parts of your voice—like the raspiness. Has that changed?
Nippa: Definitely. That came with understanding my sound and learning how to actually sing. I started taking vocal lessons last summer and have been doing that up until now. I’ve learned how to use my voice efficiently and in a way that makes the songs better. When I first dropped “Situation,” I wasn’t really singing—it was like rap-singing. I had a good tone, but no real vocal technique. Now, I’ve learned vocal production, vocal arrangement… all that. I used to be anxious recording in front of people, but now I don’t care. If someone thinks I’m trash—cool, fuck it.
Ryan: How about performing? Has your confidence grown there too?
Nippa: Yeah, 100%. I didn’t fully enjoy performing until I started doing shows with a band. That changed everything. Instead of being anxious, I started feeling the music. Performing is all about confidence. If you hit a note with confidence—even if you mess up—people think you meant to do it. It’s all mindset.
Ryan: That reminds me of something I heard in an interview with Fridayy. He said once he accepted his voice and sang with confidence, the audience could feel it.
Nippa: Exactly! Shoutout to Fridayy. That’s real advice.
Ryan: Let’s talk about your latest project, Hope She Hears This. You dropped the video for “Unfair,” which is more down-tempo than something like “Take Me” or “F&F.” Was that intentional?
Nippa: Honestly, when I made “Unfair,” I wasn’t planning for it to sound a certain way. That was just the emotion I was feeling. I don’t want to be boxed in as an artist. I know people love the up-tempo stuff like “Take Me” or “F&F,” and that’s still me—but I also want to show more. Sometimes we’re in our feelings, sometimes life hits. I wanted to show that in the music. Like, I might spend my last $20 on a girl and still be arguing about communication. That’s real life, bro.
Ryan: I felt that. Yesterday my day started with “F&F” and “Take Me,” but by the end of it, I was in “Unfair” mode.
Nippa: [Laughs] Exactly, bro! That’s how it goes sometimes.
Ryan: As your platform grows, is it easier or harder to share personal stories?
Nippa: That’s something I’m navigating now. This project has some personal stuff in it—names and all. Someone recently asked me how I felt about putting that out, and I started thinking, “Damn, how do I feel?” What if only the people it’s about end up hearing it? That’s a scary thought. It’s nerve-wracking. I might have to lock myself in my room once it drops.
Ryan:I definitely hear that. I joke to people all the time that I I’m a journalist, because I didn’t have the stomach for that, because I would travel around and do spoken word shows in college. I remember one time that I performed something about my girlfriend in front of my girlfriend.
Nippa: [Laughs] You’re brave for that. Nah, you’re brave. Imagine you’re performing spoken word and you’re like, “That one time I slipped up and she’s like, ‘Huh?'”
Ryan: [Laughs] You mentioned earlier that you’re independent—shoutout to Spacebound. In the U.S., we hear a lot about what it’s like as an independent American artist trying to break into the industry here, but what’s it been like trying to break into the U.S. as an independent artist from the UK?
Nippa: Being independent is hard. Spacebound is my team, and we’ve got great U.S. distribution, but still—being independent means doing a lot yourself. The U.S. business side is different. Over here, people are more passionate and involved. In the UK, it’s more distant—like, “Call us if you need us.” Navigating that is tough. Most of my audience is here, so being based in London while trying to build in the States is tricky. But I’m from the ends—we hustle regardless.
Ryan: Facts. I feel like UK culture is getting more recognition here in the States. Like, I was watching the Conor Benn–Chris Eubank fight last week and thinking how a few years ago, no casual boxing fans over here would’ve cared.
Nippa: Exactly! Y’all wouldn’t have even known those names back then.
Ryan: How did the success of “Sugar” with Larry June help with breaking through as an independent artist in the U.S.?
Nippa: “Sugar” was the first time I felt like I had a real American fanbase. I was seeing LA influencers sharing it, people in New York showing love—it was wild. It made me feel like I could really come here and be embraced. Larry saw the vision. There wasn’t even going to be a video until he pushed for it. He didn’t charge me or anything—just straight love.
Ryan: Let’s talk nerves. How are you feeling ahead of this release compared to past projects?
Nippa: Nervous, man. I put so much of myself into this. With past projects, once the singles dropped, I was cool. But this time, it’s different. This is my first real body of work. There’s transitions, new sounds, risks. I just hope people connect with it. If they don’t… back to the trap. You get me? [Laughs]
Ryan: There’s always going to be people who hate, though. Like that new movie, Sinners, there were all positive reviews and then, one person says, “Well, actually, it wasn’t all that good.” Now, there’s a crowd of people saying
Nippa: Yeah, of course there are people like that. But you know how there are certain tastemakers? And when one of them says, “Yo, this is 100% garbage,” they can influence a whole audience before anyone’s even listened to it. You end up hearing it already thinking it’s trash—do you get what I mean?
That’s what makes me nervous sometimes. But hey, that’s out of my control. I try not to let it get to me—hold on, let me grab a cookie—yeah, I try not to let that kind of stuff affect me too much. But still, it’s nerve-wracking, especially because this project is so personal. I just have to roll with the punches.
Ryan: Final question before the quick hits—what would make this project a success in your eyes?
Nippa: Honestly, thank you for asking, because that’s something I’m still figuring out: what does success mean to me? For me, if I know that everyone who listens to this project isn’t just passively moved by it, but emotionally touched—then that’s success. You get what I’m saying? It’s about how people talk about it, how it stays with them. Like, you know how certain projects stick with you, depending on where you were in life when you heard them? That’s what I want—something that stays with people.
Ryan: Man, I feel you. I went to my 10-year high school reunion last year and I was listening to Nothing Was the Same. I t immediately took me right back to senior year.
Nippa: Yo, wow. Yeah, man—that feeling you just described? That’s exactly what I want people to feel. You get me? That’s exactly it. I know it’s a harder era right now—we’re in the TikTok age, and people are making “fast food” music, you know? And I get it—fast food sells. I’m not knocking it. But for me? I feel like I’m a true artist. I don’t mean that in a narcissistic way, but I really believe that. I can’t do the fast food thing. Even if it takes more time to build the strongest fan base, I’m willing to wait. I just want people to understand—this isn’t fast food. Don’t go into it expecting that.
I’m trying to make something timeless.
Rapid Fire: UK vs US
Ryan: Alright, let’s finish with a few rapid-fire UK vs. US questions. First: UK airports or US airports?
Nippa: UK, easy. It’s just smoother. You put your bag in, check in, and you’re done. No one’s interrogating you about your visa or college or whatever. U.S. security asks too many questions, man.
Ryan: Facts. Especially now with the Real ID thing—they’re making everything complicated.
Nippa: It’s wild, bro. Can’t lie.
Ryan: Next: UK weed or US weed?
Nippa: [Laughs] New York. Let me show you something—this right here? Gas. Trust me.
Ryan: Love it. Last one—performing: UK or US?
Nippa: Funny enough, I haven’t performed in the U.S. yet! My first headline show was only in January, and I’ve got a U.S. tour in September. So, for now, UK’s at the top. But that NY show? Could be different. We’ll see.
Ryan: Man, those are all the questions I’ve got. As always, thank you for your time.
Nippa: No, thank you, my brother. I appreciate you. Appreciate the vibes.
Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
