KWest Radio Speaks About Emcee N.I.C.E. Veteran Hip Hop Artist, Producer, Writer

To be a catalyst, one would have to cause change and that change would disrupt the norms to create new ones, it is often a part of one’s evolution. Emcee N.I.C.E., a veteran Hip Hop artist, producer, writer and all-around creative, has been constantly evolving in both music and leadership that’s included collaborations with rap icons NAS and 2Pac (posthumously), a song on the soundtrack Academy Award-winning film “Crash,” a cover of a Prince song, enthusiastically approved by The Artist himself. 5 number #1 record’s on the Billboard music charts, in the fields of Gospel & Christian, A Stellar Award and 7 Gospel Spin Awards and honored as “Radio Man of Year” in 2021. Co-creator of the urban animated series “Da Jammies,” the first black animated music series to appear on Netflix for kids. N.I.C.E. knows no creative limits.

His name as a performer was originally Novelist (with groups Lighter Shade of Brown, KansasCali & The Rocturnals). Today, his acronym N.I.C.E. stands for Novelist Is Constantly Evolving. As part of that evolution, Emcee N.I.C.E. returns with “Iron Dove – Act I: The Blessed Coast” a 17 track christian hip hop and gospel listening experiencethat is part of a trilogy that will define his 25 year career in music, at the same time highlight some of the battles that took place to get to where he is today. With the “Iron Dove” three act trilogy, N.I.C.E. sets his sights on bridging the gap between Christian/Gospel and CHH/Gospel Rap with a story that follows the journey of a heroic messenger sent by God to assemble a spiritual army to fight the demonic oppressors, share the gospel and bring about harmony, unity and peace among his people. Act I: The Blessed Coast is the Iron Dove’s arrival to the west coast aka The Blessed Coastwhere he is tasked with assembling the army for the war, 19:19 (Act II) and then bringing peace Kumbaya (Act III).

Iron Dove is musically brought to life by Award winning super producers, Sam Peezy, Lamontt Blackshire (formerly known as Spechouse) & Marv4MoBeats and has an ensemble of Legends in gospel such as Fred Hammond, Bishop Cortez Vaughn, Hip Hop Legend Domino, Gospel Rap Legend ChilleBaby of the GospelGangstaz, Gospel chart toppers Uncle Reece & Sam Peezy along with newcomers Erica Mason, Jessica Hitte, J. Will, Rezurrection, Jarrett Burton, DaLomonze & Billboard chart topper Alonda Rich. The album is mixed by multi-platinum Engineer, Grammy nominated Ray Seay of Atlanta (Flo Rida, Pittbull, T.I., Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Lil Jon) & Mastered by Grammy Nominated Chief Mastering Engineer KennyMixx (Dr. Dre, Kanye West,Pitbull, Blanco Brown, Rick Ross, T.I., 2Chainz, Lil Wayne). Executive Produced by Aulsondro “Novelist” Hamilton, Vz Vonzell , Christopher Starr of CSP Music Group & Chantal Grayson.

On his first-time introduction in gospel music and christian rap, with his debut album “Praise” and single “I Got Angels” he became a five-time #1 Billboard Inspirational Christian Hip Hop Gospel star by chart-topping Billboard sales and airplay as the #1 Top Gospel Albums, #1 Gospel Album Sales, #1 Hot Single Sales, and #1 Digital Song Sales. As amazing as the songs, the emergence of Emcee N.I.C.E. on multiple charts measuring independent albums, Christian songs, R&B/Hip-Hop albums, and emerging and current artists has placed him in rare air as a notable trailblazer coming from secular to gospel music. Emcee N.I.C.E. turned loose a boutique unorthodox marketing team that devised a “digital street team strategy” combined with grassroots analytics and a robust database to propel his music and brand, connecting directly to the culture and influencers.

Music, Ministry, and Message are at the heart of Emcee N.I.C.E.’s divinely inspired artistry – the hallmarks of a life and career steeped in purpose and service.

Aulsondro Hamilton was born to a Black father and a Puerto Rican mother in Los Angeles, California but raised from first grade to his sophomore year of high school in El Paso, Texas. His mother named him “Aulsondro” which means “prosperous protector of the reflection of light.” Growing up most of his life in a single parent household, he was touched by the work ethic and leadership of his mother who toiled at three jobs (bartender, K-Mart manager, and creator of unique and stunning wall art made from thumb tacks and yarn) to provide for him and his little brother in 2002 his brother was murdered and his mother passed away in 2021.

At a young age, he and his brother started a rap duo, turning shopping carts from the corner store into a stage in their apartment building where they rocked the mic for candy. As he matured, Aulsondro embraced the style and power of Hip Hop, especially groups like RunDMC, Boogie Down Productions, Brand Nubians and Rakim, plus backpack era/daisy age such as De La Soul.

He was also galvanized by Christian Rap, especially Soldiers For Christ associate member Poetic Lee. “That’s when I realized it was cool to talk about God in music,” N.I.C.E. shares. “He returned back to California to enroll in Bible College at CWFC in Pasadena. After embarking upon independent study of comparative religions via books and querying some often-befuddled ministers – N.I.C.E. came to the conclusion that the common denominator is, simply, God.

Taking the stage name “Novelist” (he’d been writing short stories since childhood which dovetailed into rap rhymes), Aulsondro co-formed the “urban rock” duo KansasCali which made a name in Hollywood as a strong entity for movie soundtracks including the Oscar-winning Crash, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Once in a Lifetime (a biopic on soccer giant Pele’) and Jamie Kennedy’s, Kicking It Old Skool where their song features as the end title.. KansasCali became a band and eventually changed its name to The Rocturnals and scored with “This is Where Amazing Happens” that was adopted as the official theme song of the NBA All-Star 2010. The group was also invited by keyboardist Matt “Dr.” Fink of Prince’s band to contribute a cover of a Prince song to a tribute CD. Their take on “Pop Life” was signed off on immediately by The Artist himself who called it one of the best Prince covers ever.

If it feels like there is no end to the goals and dreams of Emcee N.I.C.E., that’s the point. He’ll likely have to create a new title to replace the limiting “Emcee.” His vision and mission are epic…and Praise-worthy.

Tune into KWEST Radio for Karlos Cobham’s thoughtful FRIDAYS, March 18, 2022 at 8pm EST as we learn, share and grow together on Artist Of The Week Emcee N.I.C.E.and his new album “IRON DOVE,” available on all digital outlets.