Today we’d like to introduce you to 10KNYX
Hi 10KNYX, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2018, I was a confused 9th grader searching for an outlet for my thoughts. Many people in my school and city were putting out music, and although I had been writing joke songs since 7th grade, it was only to get reactions from my friends. During this time, my taste in music began to diverge from that of my friends, and I found inspiration in the impressive rapping of artists like Isaiah Rashad, JID, and Saba.
After 8th grade, I started creating serious songs to express my thoughts. I took it slow to ensure I had the passion and skill for it. I began by looking up beats on YouTube and recording songs in my room using SoundTrap and Apple wired headphones on my school Chromebook. After a few freestyles, I shared them with my friends. Despite some laughter, my best friend Grant (now known as JrWorm) saw potential in me, especially after I memorized the lyrics to “Rubbin Off The Paint” by YBN Nahmir. My initial goal was to create an original song on that level.
The first song I ever made and released was “WiZaRD.” This marked a turning point after multiple attempts to find my preferred flows and subject matter. It was summer break after my 9th-grade year, and I felt ready to take music seriously. Having written songs for fun as a kid, I now focused on improving my delivery. My friend Jacob, featured on the song as “Lil CRAB,” and I had written joke songs together in 7th grade. His polished flow motivated me to improve. Though the song only gained attention from friends, their positive feedback was a win.
Encouraged by my friends, I began posting my music on social media and sought a stage name. One night, while brainstorming with Jacob, I googled Greek gods and stumbled upon NYX, the goddess of night. Jacob thought it sounded cool, so I named my Instagram ‘kingnyxmusic’ and started sharing my official songs.
In high school, I had friends who aspired to make music, mostly as producers. This was perfect since I had been finding beats on YouTube. I wanted to prove my skills rather than rely on others for opportunities. Showing my middle school friends my music humbled me, and I aimed to make solid songs to earn respect. This passion for proving myself remains the essence of my love for Hip-Hop.
Through practice and growing confidence, I showed my friends some YouTube beats I had rapped over. A friend named Alandis, who became one of my best friends, offered to produce beats for me. This led to the release of my next song, “bag.” Another significant connection was with Tyler, a friend since 7th grade. He reached out on Instagram, praising “bag” and proposing I represent his brand, 10K Productions, in exchange for free beats. This partnership led to the release of “No HOOK” and discussions about building a team. Tyler introduced me to Ahmari, who became my brother and business partner.
10K Productions gave me a platform to create. Under 10K, I made my first mixtape, “Night Fall,” a nod to NYX. Ahmari provided guidance, and on my 16th birthday, I released “Night Fall.” The positive reaction from friends boosted my confidence, leading me to change my name to “10KNYX” for better online visibility. Optics are crucial to my artistry. I continued making music, releasing my first album before high school graduation, my second on the first day of college, and my third before junior year. My output is driven by my overthinking and pain, with each release strengthening me.
The turning point was forming the duo 10 Wormz with Grant in 2022. Recording over FaceTime while living in different cities, we developed a strong creative chemistry, releasing several remixes and a 15-song album. This collaboration is the best creative relationship I’ve ever had. The rest is history in the making.
Sincerely, 10K
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Growing up, I struggled with a speech impediment and social inabilities, which significantly impacted my self-confidence. This lack of self-love led me to seek an outlet for my thoughts, and music became that outlet. These challenges made it difficult to express myself socially and artistically, but they also fueled my determination to improve and find my voice through music. The beautiful discovery I stumbled upon after starting rap was that I could create whatever I wanted in life. I can be the man when I rap. I’ve never felt like I was the best at something; this was my chance.
Balancing school and music was another challenge. Finding time to create while managing academic responsibilities requires a lot of discipline. Networking and building connections within the industry were also difficult at first. Finding like-minded individuals who believed in my vision and were willing to collaborate took time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a passionate Hip-Hop artist and co-founder of 10K Productions and Metro Music Records. My work primarily involves creating music that expresses my thoughts, experiences, and emotions. Music is the biggest light in my life, and the care and passion I put into every word make me proud of every song I make. Since I started my journey as an artist, I’ve become known largely through social media for representing South Carolina to the fullest through my music and visual art.
I am also creative through creative directing, video directing, graphic design, and audio engineering. I specialize in writing and consider myself a wholehearted lyricist. I take pride in using my other gifts to create my art entirely in-house with my team. I either solely create or have a hand in creating all my cover art for my releases. In the vein of visual art, I write and direct all of my music videos. I live by the doctrine that your vision is most fulfilled when you can cut out the middleman and bring it to life yourself. One of the things I love about making music is that my messaging isn’t overlooked or critiqued by anyone else. Asking people for opinions or trying to explain my vision gets very awkward for me, and I hate being misunderstood. From having problems clearly communicating through conversation to having thoughts that I had to keep to myself, music helped me take my voice into my own hands.
What sets me apart from others is my unique journey and the challenges I’ve overcome. Growing up with a speech impediment and social difficulties significantly impacted my self-confidence, but these experiences drove me to find my voice through music. My early struggles with self-expression have given me a distinct perspective and authenticity in my lyrics that resonate with listeners. A lot of rap focuses too much on being cool, but I aim to portray hip-hop artists as human as possible. I always describe my music as “Headphone music” because of how personal I tend to be lyrically. I put a lot of time and care into writing and recording my music at home, which gives me immense solace.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is the ability to express my authentic self through Hip-Hop and writing. Hip-Hop is more than just a genre to me; it’s a powerful form of storytelling that allows me to convey my thoughts, experiences, and emotions. Writing, in particular, holds a special place in my heart. It’s through writing that I can articulate my inner world and connect with others on a deeply personal level.
Growing up with a speech impediment and social difficulties, I often struggled to communicate effectively. Writing and Hip-Hop provided me with a voice when I felt voiceless. They allowed me to turn my vulnerabilities into strengths and my struggles into stories that resonate with listeners. This form of self-expression has been a source of healing and empowerment, giving me the confidence to embrace who I am.
Moreover, what matters to me is the authenticity and honesty in my art. I want my music to reflect real human experiences, not just a facade of coolness. My goal is to create “Headphone music” that listeners can relate to on a personal level, providing them solace and understanding. By sharing my true self through my lyrics, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own stories and find their voice.
Ultimately, the ability to express myself through Hip-Hop and writing is what drives me. It’s my passion, my therapy before I sought out professional help and my way of connecting with the world. It’s what makes me feel alive and fulfilled, and that’s why it matters most to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hyperfollow.com/10knyx
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenkaynicks/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/10knyx
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@10knyx
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/10knyx
