With Jace's Mortal Kombat music video getting ready to hit the twenty million view mark, on one of the most famous hip-hop online sites in the world, it's obvious that LeetMusic (a.k.a. Nerd music) has stopped being an unfamiliar music genre.
In fact, there are a lot of musicians who continue to popularize the genre, all while making every single song into their own. We're taking the opportunity to provide fans more understanding of the world of Nerd music, in a way that only the musicians themselves could reveal.
Dr. Awkward, a.k.a Doc Awk, is the Next Gen Hip Hop performer hailing from San Diego, California. His hit songs include "Geekquilibrium" as well as "Impostor" dating back to his first solo record, Next Gen, in 2009. He has shared bills with notable Nerdcore rappers: MC Frontalot, MC Lars, as well as Mega Ran, among others.
What's the primary difference between Nerd music, and Nerdcore? What does the future hold for aspiring artists and fans of the nerd music genre?
We answer those queries and much more in our exclusive interview with the Next Gen artist, Dr. Awkward:
JHS: You state that "you're clearly a nerd, yet you don't look the part." I'd be interested to find out exactly what you think "nerd" even indicates nowadays.
"Nerd" these days has so many definitions. I know when I was in school it absolutely had a bad connotation. No one dreamed of being one of us nerds! Today with coining of the term "geek chic" more individuals are identifying themselves with the term "nerd." I see that as being a great change, mostly because I do think a nerd is anyone who is passionate about something, and not worried about exactly how modern society might view them for it. Nerds aren't frightened to be different, and never let society have an effect on how they feel with regards to whatever they like. They are the people who continue to be true to themselves at all times.
JHS: Exactly what is your opinion on where Nerd Music could go? Are you finding that it's as accessible to people as mainstream hip-hop is to seemingly everyone else?
I've always thought that Nerd Music could certainly enter the mainstream, and I would like to see that occur, all it requires is the right people to support as well as drive the music and the movement. Accessibility is surely a huge element of that too, yet sadly I think the label "nerd music" tends to scare people away. It's a shame when people never give themselves the chance to fall in love with it, because really, everyone has a nerdy side to them whether they'd like to acknowledge it or not.
JHS: In Geekquilibrium, you say your music isn't Nerdcore, it is Nerdlife...It would be awesome to hear what you think the difference is between the two.
There is a vast array of nerd music, and Nerdcore is simply one example. It is hip-hop used to convey ourselves on whatsoever topics we feel like rapping about. Nerd Life is simply any life experiences as a nerd. That specific lyric says that a person should not make music simply to make "Nerdcore," but that the subject one raps about is the truth; whether it be life experiences, interests, or loves.
JHS: Lastly, I assume "Next Gen" talks to the next generation of Nerd artists? Just what ideally will that mean for you as a performer and what sort of influence would you want your music to have on generations?
If future generations of artists take anything from my songs, I am hoping they get that the concept of a "Next Gen" musician is anybody ready to push the limits of their musical genre. Growth as well as evolution are the only ways to better your music, as well as the artists around you. Never be worried to be unique, it is what makes us who we are.
For additional info on Dr Awkward and Nerd Music, go to Dr Awkward's personal website as well as Scrub Club Records.
About the Author:
The Jace Hall Show is an online reality show that covers video game title news and celebrities as well as interviews with film/tv/sports superstars. It likewise has posts which features nerd music and nerdcore artists.
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