Urban Vault caught up with New York-based emcee River Nelson to ask him some questions about his latest album POWER, RESILIENCE & JOY, and more…

Native New Yorker, River Nelson has carved out a respectable following for himself in the U.S., Europe and other parts of the globe, with widespread press acclaim and radio support from the likes of BBC 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne and Giles Peterson.

He began his recording career when he was signed to Arista Records by label executive Joy Bailey while Clive Davis was still at the helm. He also hooked up with the New York rappers the Boogiemonsters and was featured on the group’s classic debut ‘Riders of The Storm: The Underwater’ Album. In 2010 River worked with legendary UK producer Lewis Parker and the two created the critically praised ‘The Rise & Fall of River Nelson’, described by The Independent as,

“Full of thoughtful sentiments and a positive attitude set to infectious symphonic-soul beats”.

This was followed in 2013 with ‘The Shape of The Sky’, and his third album ‘How to Dream’ in 2016, followed by the EP ‘Navigation’ in 2017.

What is your name?

River Nelson

Where are you from?

I was born in New York City and lived there as a youngster. I then spent most of childhood in Connecticut and then moved back to New York City later, where I’ve spent most of my adulthood. I’ve lived in all of the boroughs except Staten Island.

How old are you?

Infinite

How long have you been making music?

North of 20 years.

How many songs/albums have you released to date?

To date, four albums and three EPs. I’ve been on other people’s albums and EPs as well. I’ve also released a lot of one-off songs over the years. It’s hard to count how many offhand, though.

Can you tell us about your new album, the background, and inspirations behind it?

Sure. My new album is called ‘Power, Resilience & Joy’ and songs are loosely based on those three words. I’ve always thought having power, resilience, and joy in my life would be a good goal to shoot for. Then I thought it would be a dope concept for an album. In terms of sound, the songs are lyrical with catchy hooks and head-nodding beats with a lot of melodies.

How have you ended up in the music industry?

I was in a crew back in the days with a group called The Boogiemonsters. We performed and hung out together before they became famous. So once they got their deal with Pendulum Records, they introduced me and my rhyme partner to other industry people who liked our music. And that’s how I got in.

What do you think of the music industry in 2019?

The music industry is virtual now. It’s made up of streaming sites, online video channels, online magazines, independent artists who work and record from home. It’s completely different. The music industry is no longer just a bunch of gatekeepers in skyscrapers anymore.

What have you got planned for the rest of 2019?

I’m going to continue to promote my new album, work on new music and really try to hit the road.

What inspires you when you make your music?

Different things at different times. It could be someone else’s song or album. Sometimes an idea pops into my head and I can’t get it out until I explore it. Other times someone who listens to my music will tell me how much a song touched them, and that’ll inspire me to write. My inspiration can also come from nature and just being outside and seeing different things.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

The list is incredibly long. But I’d say in my wildest dreams, Sade.

What’s your favorite track at the moment?

Probably a track called ‘The Night the City Died’. It’s off the new album. But it changes almost daily with this LP.

What do you do when your not making music?

I like to write other things besides songs, like articles, stories, and poems. I like to cook, jog, read novels, listen to music, go on nature walks, shop for throwback sneakers. Stuff like that.

Which do you prefer, Facebook or Twitter or Instagram?

Hmmm, I’d have to say Instagram. It’s probably the coolest of the three.

In a few words sum up your thoughts about Urban Vault and what we’re trying to do?

I think you guys are trying to bring the globe under one Hip Hop umbrella, and let everyone know who’s dope and where they’re from. You also don’t base your postings on celebrity, you base it on dope music, culture, fashion, etc. But at the same time, you don’t shun those who’ve reached celebrity if their music is still good.

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music…

Thank YOU. And I really appreciate the support over the years.

River Nelson – Power, Resilience & Joy via iTunes/Spotify

https://twitter.com/rivnel
https://soundcloud.com/river-nelson