Dames Dean

Normally I'd be insulted to have the "B" word hurdled at me - but this is The Nik Damez interview and he is what he is - so, we'll just keep it movin' (lol).

Straight out of Staten Island, New York and born in Brooklyn, Nik Damez is the new cat in town. He's making moves and taking all prisoners. At twenty-something, he says he's
Nik Damez
"pretty new to the music industry - but not for long." His brand of mix-tapes, re-mixes and original music are all setting him apart from the rest. Nik was nominated best Hip Hop artist on Staten Island by AWE (advance weekly entertainment) along side members of the Wu-Tang clan.

He's got Eminem "swagga" with James Dean good looks and after meeting him and hearing his music, you'll have to agree that this dude is headed straight to the top! When asked why we haven't heard about him, Nik simply responds; "Dont worry. We bout to fix that 4 you."

In a recent conversation with Nik "BMI CERTIFIED" Damez, I had the opportunity to ask a few questions and play a little game of word association with him. So here's how it all went down -

Saba, Ink: Nik Damez

Nik Damez: A rarity. I don't feel above anyone but I'm definitely cut from a cloth that no one has seen before.

Saba, Ink: Sexy

Nik Damez: Hmmm. Sexy can be alot of things. It can be a Mercedes 600s with cherry wood grain and custom interior. Or it can be a caramel skinned girl in sumthin' lace with the garter belts. Sexy is a broad word. I think the majority of the time sexy is whatever is pleasing to your eye's.

Saba, Ink: Swagga

Nik Damez: No one on the corner got it like mine ; )

Saba,Ink: Stillettos

Nik Damez: Super sexy if the right pair of legs are wearing them.

Saba, Ink: Hip Hop Masters

Nik Damez: Ghost Face, Nas, Jay-Z, Eminem, Canibus - all artists I feel mastered the art of wordplay in their own way.

Saba, Ink: Music Industry

Nik Damez: I haven't been in the industry too long. But I'm cool with a few of the executive's I've met so far. Most of the lower level players/employees at record labels are fake like Canal St. Gucci
and wouldn't talk to people the way they do if they weren't in some kind of position of power. Alot of people get angry about the frauds and fakes that are in the industry, I dont mind so much. I find them entertaining, like driving real slow past a train wreck kind of entertaining.

Saba, Ink: MovieStar

Nik Damez: Indeed, Matter fact my first paying gig I was an extra on the set of the movie "BELLY." I was only like 13-14 at the time. Friends snuck me in. I ended up getting to chill-out all day on set with Nas an DMX. Ever since then I had the acting bug.

Saba, Ink: "Ride or Die"

Nik Damez: Depends on who I'm riding for. I've done some serious dirt for people that weren't prepared to do the same for me when the time came. I'm real careful on where I put my loyalty now.

Saba, Ink: "Yo Momma"

Nik Damez: So stupid she got stabbed in a shoot out.

Saba, Ink: Image

Nik Damez: Weighs heavy with me, maybe too much. If I have a show in the city, I'd rather walk there than pull up in a hooptie. If I have a meeting, performance,Q&A etc. and I don't have the money to get fresh from head to toe, ill probably cut yo ass to get it. (just kiddin)

Saba, Ink: Your Honey or Honeys

Nik Damez: I'm married to my career right now. Relationships can be either the most helpful thing or the worst thing for a career. And for me relationships have been poisonous. When I get grey, I'll calm down but for now its a party.

Saba, Ink: Success

Nik Damez: If you have these attributes than you're already on the road to success. You just have to stick by them even when all your chips are down. A strong desire, visualization, concentration, will power, self discipline, Persistence.

Saba, Ink: Power Move

Nik Damez: People use that word wrong. A power move is really a special trick or talent that you use to gain attention (and or) power over your opposition. Oh yeah, I'm a walkin, talking f**kin power move.

Saba, Ink: Respect

Nik Damez: I'm the opposite of the cliché "you gotta give it to get it". When I first meet a person you start off with 100% of my respect (granted, I haven't already heard some s**t about you)
so I work off the deduction system. Every time you do some dumb s**t around me or display questionable character you lose a % of my respect. If you get all the way down to 0% then you get cut off. No contact no nothing. Once you've lost all my respect, I won't even nod my head at you in the street and acknowledge your existence. End of story.

Saba, Ink: Inspiration

Nik Damez: I draw the most inspiration off of other music. Not just Hip Hop. I'll listen to Nirvana, Janis Joplin whatever. If I hear a good song it makes me want to make music.

Saba, Ink: Next Up..

Nik Damez: Who but me? There's been none like me before and there will be none after

- Saba Ink,