Interview by Muzikscribe
Photos by PatrickDalyphoto.com
Having initially appeared on “Pause,” the lead offering from the late, great J Dilla’s debut studio LP, Welcome 2 Detroit [2001], Frank Nitty and Derrick “Dankery Harv” Harvey, collectively known as Frank-n-Dank, had officially arrived. Shortly thereafter, the Motor City duo would go on to ink a recording contract with MCA Records, however, unfortunately their major label first time out, 48 Hours, entirely produced by Jay Dee, was ultimately shelved.
Flash forward nearly two and a half decades, as well as multiple endeavors, both solo plus group later, and one half of the pair, Nitt, returns with a brand new body of work, A Scene From A Dance Show.
Let’s hop into this single, “Face. Tell me about this particular track, how did it come to fruition?
I produced the track, and after I made it it felt like it needed just a chant / hook not a full song of vocals. I wanted it to be fun, and feel like the Techno / House music I grew up with.
Of course “Face” comes courtesy of your latest collection, A Scene From A Dance Show. Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?
It’s me paying homage to the style of music that dominated in the clubs and parties I went to as a youngster. Also, in Detroit we had two local TV shows that were like Soul Train, but super Detroit specific. They were called The Scene and The New Dance Show.
How then does A Scene From A Dance Show either differ or compare to previous Frank Nitt solo efforts?
Musically, it’s a much faster tempo, and more electronic. It’s also geared towards the dance floor, as opposed to the head-nod, Boom-Bap I’m more known for.
Tell me your whole inception into music. When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for you?
I started out as a breakdancer with an intense love for Hip Hop. That evolved to DJ’ing, and eventually MC’ing. My first show was as a 10 year old breakdancer, and my first music check was as a DJ.
Now you hail from Detroit, so growing up in Motown, who all do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
Of course the Motown greats played a part, and MJ was the GOAT, but by the time I could decide what I listened to I was a full on Hip Hop head So the greats from New York, from Kurtis Blow to Run-DMC and The Fat Boys to LL Cool J, etcetera. They all made choosing Hip Hop easy.
That said, how do you describe or define the style of music that you create and perform?
For the majority of my career, I would say Boom-Bap Hip Hop, with a few stops with Dance, Rock and Jazz. This new project is definitely in the Dance category.
As a lyricist when you sit down to pen your rhymes, where do you draw inspiration from?
I try and use the things I’ve done and seen in my everyday life as the inspiration. It’s much easier to rhyme about things I know, as opposed to making it all up, at least for me.
What particular string of events actually led to your initial linking up with Dankery Harv, and the later formation of Frank-n-Dank?
I met Dank as a 12 year old kid, so before we were a group we were childhood friends. Frank-n-Dank came about at the behest of the members of Slum Village. Dank had gotten his nickname well before we were a group.
At what particular juncture did Dilla enter into the picture?
I met J at the same time I met Dank, 12 years old. We all went to the same middle school. He was musically gifted then, and it evolved from there. I spoke earlier about me DJ’ing, J taught me how and we DJ’d parties together all through our teens.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
I want to evoke emotions, all the feels, lol. Within my catalog as whole, I deal with all the emotions at one point or another.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Musically, probably Dr. Dre. It would be dope to have an album mixed by Dre. His ear is impeccable.
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
A sold-out Madison Square Garden, just because it’s a storied venue and signifies a certain level of “you made it!”
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?
Yes, in the sense that it’s grown to such a global movement, and can take a kid from Detroit around the world. But on the flip side, not with the way the marketing dollars are spent. There isn’t any diversity in the mainstream media. At some point, you could get ATCQ and N.W.A on the same radio show. Now, not so much.
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
I think it’s just staying creative, and not allowing the business to not dilute my love for the art.
Do you have any other additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
I’ve done a lot on the event side, from coordinating shows and booking artists, as well as event concepts. I want to get into film, creating and writing TV shows and films.
To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
It’s probably the places I’ve been to showcase my music. I’ve been to places I never would have thought I’ve been to Russia, Myanmar, China…
What’s an average day like for you?
My life is pretty normal, but I try and do something musically everyday. From promoting a current project, making beats or recording feature verses or working the phones and email drumming up the next new piece of business.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans.
Obviously using social media platforms, but more often it’s doing shows and tours and shaking hands and taking pictures with the folks that value the art I display to them.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
The best part is being able to do something I love to survive financially. The worst part is the ups and downs of the business. You could be busy and working everyday for 3 months, and then there are no calls for 5 months.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Prepare for disappointment, it never moves as fast as you want. But if you can weather the storms, the sunny days will be great.
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
Hopefully, writing shows and creating art in different mediums for people to enjoy, and Lord willing making music in some form.
As for the immediate, what’s next for Frank Nitt?
Working this new project and working on getting out and DJing some parties, making people sane a little.
What’s the current status of Frank-n-Dank?
Still on the go. And, preparing for a tour at the top of next year.
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