Naz Tokio: Hopped off a Spaceship of Aliens & Crashed landed on a Spaceship of Monkeys! (~_~)
Interview conducted on April 30, 2020
by Dan Locke
Rowdy Records has released the first single from Dallas Austin and Naz Tokio titled “Moneyango.”
You are a Grammy nominated artist. How does one become a Grammy nominated artist?
I became a Grammy nominated writer by being lucky enough to be a part of R&B singer Tank’s “Sex, Love, & Pain” creation in which we lost to Chaka Khan. For me it’s still legendary to have lost a Grammy win to Chaka Khan! My dad was definitely on cloud 9, lol. This album was also special because fast forward years later and Drake shouted out the album lyrically in his “Best I Ever Had” hit song…” sex, love, pain baby I be on that Tank shah.” I definitely went to the Grammys and the official afterparty.
What is your upbringing?
I grew up in Maryland near the Washington DC area. It was a very violent place at the time and I lost a lot of friends to murder and so as soon as I turned 17, I left. Even the world outside was insane, my parents were the best. I had a strict but super fun mom and a free spirited, hardworking dad. Growing up with 4 brothers and one sister, made me super tough and I was definitely a big tomboy.
How are you going to spend Mother’s Day?
I’m going to spend Mother’s Day at home in Los Angeles on video chat with my mom wishing I was with her!
How did you discover music?
I discovered music through growing up with a family that were lovers of every type of styles. We had speakers in the ceiling and my dad’s collection of records was like a record store. He also always took me to concerts which made me have a strong passion.
How did you get into writing soundtracks for films and shows like Ballers, Vampire Diaries an Empire?
I got into writing for films and shows like Ballers, Vampire Diaries and Empire by different means each time. I’m a signed writer to Universal Publishing so I attended a Fox writing camp for Empire and landed a song on Mario and Jussie Smollett. Vampire diaries was luck and Ballers came from a collaboration with Lauren Hashian, The Rock’s wife, on a song called “Samson” that we both featured on. A lot of people don’t know but this woman is epic in her own right. She’s had a great career in the music business especially in the sync world and the voice of an angel. She is the reason I got the Ballers placement and the reason I was put on the radar of Paramount Pictures where she used to work right alongside former Senior Vice President Jason Richmond.
What is the story behind your name?
The name Nazi Tokio came from my love of the Japanese culture and the way my live shows would incorporate inspired visuals.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
I’ve always been a big health freak. I love juicing my veggies but I also love my Tequila which luckily is a probiotic!
The first video I saw of you was a video you did with Paris Schulman “Smells like Teen Spirit” It was actually cooler than Nirvana version?
I’ve always been a big fan or Nirvana. I’m glad you liked my rendition. They actually had to shoot that music video without me because I was in a writing camp in Romania at the time and couldn’t be there.
You were a songwriter coach on the TV miniseries Shine (This was a show which undiscovered artist must use their own lyrics, voice and music to complete for the title of the best independent phenomenon) … Why did you pick that vehicle to showcase your talent as a songwriter? What were some of your best memory from the show?
I did Shine as a favor to a friend. It was nice to see some good talent come out of a small town.
You are signed to Mr. 305 records. Which is Pitbull label. How is Pitbull as a boss? Is he very hands on with your creation of your music?
Pitbull is an awesome human being and extremely intelligent. He did a one-off single deal with us for a project called Goldsnatch, a duo with my bestie Natalie Martinez. We were in the studio before this quarantine working on some new vibes.
Why haven’t you been on social media a lot for over the past year?
I wasn’t on social media a lot for over the past year because I was working on a lot of secret projects. Can’t wait to share soon.
Out of all the people you have worked with, who was the person you thought you would never be doing any music with?
Out of all the people I’ve worked with I never thought I would have the chance to work with Earth, Wind, & Fire. That was bucket list for sure.
Verdine White is the best. Everyday we’d be excited to see what the other person was wearing since I dress as wild as him.
Tell me about your new album?
My new album is very personal to me and I can’t wait to share it with the world. Most things have been collaborations. This will be all me. Very real and raw.
What is the story behind the single Moneyango?
Moneyango is a new release I did with my writing partner and bestie Dallas Austin. We were having fun in the studio one night with Junior Sanchez and it happened organically and super-fast. Sometimes you have to get the Money and Gooo!
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I think streaming music has allowed people to share their art more freely.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Personally, vinyl all day over digital. There’s something about the sound quality and holding the art in your hands. It makes you feel more attached to the artist. But digital has made music more accessible.
Any plans to tour?
Plans to tour have been detoured with our current situation but absolutely when this is all over!
What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?
I have a song that I made over a year ago from a very personal situation that I plan to finally share. Out of heartache came the best song I think I’ve ever written.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Sadly, I think covid-19 will stop our live performances for longer than we think. I’m going to miss Coachella and other festivals.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
During this self-quarantine, I’ve been working on so many passion projects that got put on the back-burner because I had no time to do them.
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Are you planning to do something like that?
I haven’t made any plans to do a concert over Instagram and any other platform yet as I love the interaction of the crowd. Maybe in the future if this goes on too long.
There was an article in the New York Times this week talking about concerts may not start again until fall of 2021. Do you think it could happen?
I agree it may be a while before concerts come back. I just hope we can get back sooner than later.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
In the next 5 years I see myself doing what I love with the people I love in a place I love.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Thanks for picking my brain and having me think of things I never ponder myself. I pray everyone is safe out there and remain in good spirits in this crazy time.
You must be logged in to post a comment.