NXVSOPEnt is a group of friends with a connection upholding the test of time found directly through music. This is the vibe that I ran into when interviewing De’Brea Cavaiani and the NXVSOPEnt collective which includes NoMan. The two, form the hip-hop duo
Prime with dedication and years of hard work, the duo is ready to start making moves in the Seattle area alongside their NXVSOP team. Although newer to the scene, the duo has shown early signs of promise. Performing at Sasquatch 2018 and the up-and-coming Bellingham Arts and Music Festival on May 31st. With early festival spots, NoHenn shows a great amount of promise.
However, information is very limited on the duo and their surrounding group. Their manager, 4nti has found himself in the Seattle scene his whole life, along with business partner Mike. With a group of talent surrounding them, I decided to meet up and go more in-depth on NXVSOPEnt’s process in this RMR exclusive interview.
NXVSOPEnt & Team Exclusive Interview
This interview was edited for clarity
RMR: So how did you guys meet each other?
De’Brea: When we had all met each other, we were all in school at BC (Bellevue College), and before that point, we would just smoke with each other. Our friend Grant who goes to WSU now introduced us to each other. Both of us already made music separately, so when we met up it just came naturally.
RMR: NoMan, how did you get started making music?
NoMan: Music is really the only thing I’ve ever taken an interest in my whole life. My dad got me listening to classic rock and all kinds of genres. My mom was a reggae artist, and it just got me to love music. I played piano and did choir professionally. Eventually, I got really into audio. I would rap at my church all the time, and I started creating full songs. I’ve had a total of three in-house studio setups where De’Brea would come through. When Sasquatch came up it showed me how I needed to focus on rapping.
RMR: What about you, De’Brea? How did you get started?
De’Brea: I started writing raps when I was 7 years old. My mom and dad were really young, and they put me on to the culture. My mom was also a poet, so she really supported my writing and always pushed me to do better. I was introduced to the Boys and Girls Club when I moved to live with my grandparents. I started making music in the studio there, and I eventually went so often that I didn’t need to pay. That went on for a long time, then I met Matt (NoMan) and decided to make music with him at his studio. I’ve always grown around hip-hop, so it was the perfect grouping for the two of us.
RMR: Tell me about Sasquatch. How did that come up?
De’Brea: Originally they had invited me to help out in the booth. When I got there I found out that I had the chance to fill in and perform a few songs, but I needed someone to help me out. It was a no-brainer. I had been working with NoMan for a minute, so I hit him up and we did a couple of songs. It was super indirect and by chance but we were able to seize the moment. It was a really dope opportunity.
RMR: So 4nti, how did you find yourself in music and this group?
4nti: I was in a non-profit program that helps keep kids off the street and shit. I’d get suspended from school a lot. In between all that I would write to myself a ton as an outlet and doing rap battles after school. With the people I met and the experience I had, I started recording at Harambe in Renton. I met up with De’Brea in 2014. I was apart of a program called the Residency which De’Brea did a year earlier. That shit changed my life. I ended up getting hella performances and dropped out of high school. Our relationship continued to grow with Mike and NoMan as well. I eventually took up the mantle of quality checking everyone’s work. Making sure nothing but the best songs get put out.
RMR: Mike, you mentioned earlier you don’t make music. How do you fall in line with this group?
Mike: I’ve always had a thing for music, but I’m the guy that can’t rap. I’ve tried and it doesn’t work out. But I’ve always loved music. I handle a lot of the business for the group after meeting them at Bellevue College. Besides that, I play basketball and network with hella people. I try to have my hands in everything so we can have the right people to call on in the future.
RMR: What do you guys want to accomplish in the next five years?
De’Brea: For sure we want to go out and tour. That’s a dream that is gonna become a reality soon enough. We also want to be known as a name from Seattle, and be able to put on for the city. We want to be able to cultivate art for the region and create something where artists alike can connect and create.
What’s Coming Up for NXVSOPEnt
With a group of three solo artists coming together, there’s quite a lot coming up for the young collective. De’Brea’s album Memories of Nothing released on 5/19, detailing the history of his struggle growing up to where he is now.
No Man’s upcoming album has been four years in the making. With a plethora of different styles through the evolution of his sound, you can expect a profound listening experience soon from the young producer and songwriter.
As for 4nti, he will be performing at the Northwest Folklife Festival. Along with this, he has an abundance of music coming out soon. Maybe the most active artist in the group, we can expect a ton of new releases soon for the up and coming rapper.Besides their solo releases, talks of setting up more studios in the future and working with the community, it’s definitely worth keeping up with NXVSOPEnt.
