Law By Day, Hip-Hop by Night
Nick the Hip Hop Artist
Nick the Lawyer
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Nick is a lawyer by day and hip-hop artist Yungun (aka Essa) by night. Wondering how that works? So were we. We were also wondering how he got Guru from Gang Starr on his latest track...
HITC had a few questions for the man we'd like to represent us.
You grew up in London in the 90s, when hip-hop came into its own. When did you decide to give it a go as more than just a fan?
I started writing rhymes for fun from about '94. I did a few open mics and gigs on the London hip-hop scene and started to realise that, even though I wasn't exactly from the usual background, I was as good as or better than the fully-fledged artists. It was about 2000 when I released my first track on vinyl, followed by many more singles and then full albums in 2004 (The Essance) and 2006 (Grown Man Business).
In your experience, what are the main things that separate a person who fantasises about making music from a person who actually does it?
Releasing a record is a good benchmark. But releasing lots really proves that you're serious about it. Especially if people actually buy them! And when I say releasing, I mean a full-scale release that's available in all the normal outlets, rather than a limited thing that is more or less given out hand-to-hand. Touring abroad really brought it home for me. When someone flies you to China to do a gig, you know that people are taking you seriously.
How and why did you decide to go into law?
I studied law at Uni and enjoyed it so moving into a career in law was a natural progression. It's a great intellectual challenge and the logical thinking is a nice balance to the more creative side of my life.
How do your colleagues react when they discover your other identity?
I get the whole range of reactions. Some have barely even heard of hip-hop (or worse, think it's all about guns and 'bling') so I have to explain what my music's all about. Others have become huge fans and come along to all my gigs. Most people are just amazed that I manage to keep up such an active interest outside of a very demanding job. Come to think of it, so am I!
What happens if your music gets too big? Will you give up your day job? (If you can't answer, we understand!)
Who knows? The question works both ways too - I might become a superstar lawyer! I try to stay open-minded about everything as you never know what the future brings. But I do a lot of music industry law and my music knowledge is becoming increasingly helpful in my job, so there's more of an overlap than you might think. And I enjoy both so it would be a shame to let either of them go.
We've got "Too Slick" playing (on repeat) as we write this, and it's great. Tell us how you hooked up with Guru.
Thanks, I'm glad you like it! I supported Guru at the Jazz Cafe when I was promoting the Yungun & Mr Thing album Grown Man Business. We got on really well with Guru and soon afterwards he got in touch and asked me if I'd jump on a track with him. I've been a fan of his for well over a decade, so of course I said yes!
Nick is a member of Mesh. To find out more about Mesh, an online community for professionals with creative second lives, please click here.
You grew up in London in the 90s, when hip-hop came into its own. When did you decide to give it a go as more than just a fan?
I started writing rhymes for fun from about '94. I did a few open mics and gigs on the London hip-hop scene and started to realise that, even though I wasn't exactly from the usual background, I was as good as or better than the fully-fledged artists. It was about 2000 when I released my first track on vinyl, followed by many more singles and then full albums in 2004 (The Essance) and 2006 (Grown Man Business).
In your experience, what are the main things that separate a person who fantasises about making music from a person who actually does it?
Releasing a record is a good benchmark. But releasing lots really proves that you're serious about it. Especially if people actually buy them! And when I say releasing, I mean a full-scale release that's available in all the normal outlets, rather than a limited thing that is more or less given out hand-to-hand. Touring abroad really brought it home for me. When someone flies you to China to do a gig, you know that people are taking you seriously.
How and why did you decide to go into law?
I studied law at Uni and enjoyed it so moving into a career in law was a natural progression. It's a great intellectual challenge and the logical thinking is a nice balance to the more creative side of my life.
How do your colleagues react when they discover your other identity?
I get the whole range of reactions. Some have barely even heard of hip-hop (or worse, think it's all about guns and 'bling') so I have to explain what my music's all about. Others have become huge fans and come along to all my gigs. Most people are just amazed that I manage to keep up such an active interest outside of a very demanding job. Come to think of it, so am I!
What happens if your music gets too big? Will you give up your day job? (If you can't answer, we understand!)
Who knows? The question works both ways too - I might become a superstar lawyer! I try to stay open-minded about everything as you never know what the future brings. But I do a lot of music industry law and my music knowledge is becoming increasingly helpful in my job, so there's more of an overlap than you might think. And I enjoy both so it would be a shame to let either of them go.
We've got "Too Slick" playing (on repeat) as we write this, and it's great. Tell us how you hooked up with Guru.
Thanks, I'm glad you like it! I supported Guru at the Jazz Cafe when I was promoting the Yungun & Mr Thing album Grown Man Business. We got on really well with Guru and soon afterwards he got in touch and asked me if I'd jump on a track with him. I've been a fan of his for well over a decade, so of course I said yes!
- To listen to "Too Slick", visit Yungun (aka Essa) on MySpace.
- See Yungun live at Westbury Bar, Kilburn on 2 Nov and 7 Dec.
- The Yungun & Mr Thing album Grown Man Business is out now on Silent Soundz, available from all good music stores and online retailers.
Nick is a member of Mesh. To find out more about Mesh, an online community for professionals with creative second lives, please click here.
