Reminiscenisce.X (Nia Okereke) creates songs with a unique voice, fun rhythm in her lyrics, and relatable themes. She says her music is neo-soul, a mix of classic soul, hip-hop, and mo-town. Nuance, Record Producer, has created many of the beats behind Reminiscenisce catchy lyrics. Nuance’s instrumentals break free of typical 8O8s, dark bells and high hats generic rap content. He brings in bright rhythmic notes with hints of jazz beats and syncopation. His melodic flow of music allows Reminiscenisce’s voice to ride on top of the music. Nuance instrumentals provide a well woven tapestry of sound. Reminiscenisce refers to her music as alternative hip-hop.

On a Tuesday in August I had the opportunity to sit down with Reminiscenisce.X . We met at Nuance’s studio, her music partner and record producer.

I asked Reminiscenisce what she wanted people to know about her.

“I want people to get about me… I don’t have anything against woman who talk freaky on their songs, like Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. More power to them. I don’t live that lifestyle. I wouldn’t want to perpetrate that lifestyle. I am a broke hippie, so, I’m going to sing about being a broke hippie. If you think I should talk about my body in a certain way, if you think I should rock Gucci and all that hip-hop stuff? I’m not going to do it. It is not in my pedigree.”

“I don’t want to be materialistic. There is a lot of music little girls are listening to that may not be a great influence. I feel responsible for how children will look up to me. I am concerned about the way little girls see the world around them through my music. I want my music to change people’s perspective. I don’t my lyrics to say, “F---- and bitch.” It is not what I would normally say. It is not what I want my music to reflect.”

Reminisce said she is influenced by several musicians and groups from Billy Holiday to Amy Winehouse. She said a major influence was TLC growing up. She remembers buying their album Fanmail when she was 5 years old. She wants her music to have a positive influence on people like the TLC song, “I’m Pretty.”

“You can buy your hair if it won’t grow

You can fix your nose if he says so

You can buy all the makeup that M.A.C. can make

But if you can’t look inside you

Find out who I am too

Be in the position to make me feel so

Damn unpretty”

Link to “I’M Pretty”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2gy1Evb1Kg

“It is how TLC is talking to their audience. You can do all this stuff to look pretty, but is that what makes you beautiful? Or should you look inside yourself? Your confidence is what makes you pretty,” says Reminisce. “Your confidence is the most important beautiful thing about you. Anyone can be more beautiful than me if my confidence is down.” Reminisce elaborates, if my insecurities show too much I have to refocus on me and live up to who I am. Be aware of your insecurity. Live beyond it.

“I’m a goofball. Maybe you find me attractive, but I am a goofball. I wear glasses. I cackle when I laugh. I am a human being, and that is what makes me attractive. I want to put that message in the next generations’ ear. I want them to know you can be yourself. If people don’t like you for you, that is their problem. That is what I want my music to do. I want people to be inspired to be themselves.”

We talked about Reminisce’s songs. I also wanted to know what the song “$1.96” was about. Links to Reminisce’s music can be found at the bottom of the article.

“I’m a dreamer. It comes across in my music. I’m about to come out with an album called “REM.” The album starts with the song “$1.96.” The song is about my bank account, and a night when I had a strong distaste for a boss. I thought well you get direct deposit next week, so, it will be OK. The next song on the album is “Good Vibes.” A lot of people have all the riches in the world. But sometimes their vibe is not good. Sometimes they are not as happy as they once were. “Good Vibes” is a way to say enjoy the time you are having now. Enjoy who you are with today. Dream big and be persistent. Have a good time with your friends. Feel the beat inside. The next song is “Hoopty.” After chilling with your friends you have to go home. You go to get in your car and it won’t start. You’re like, agony! Why does this have to happen to me? Then we go to “Hobnobbin.” That’s my dream song about being rich and famous.”

“This is what I’ve noticed about life. It starts out a little depressing like I have $1.96 in my bank account. You know, you look for the bright side of life. You go and find good vibes with your friends. I work on my dream. Hang out with Nuance at his studio. We work on making a million $1.96. We make some music. We try to create a hit. Now it is time to get out of dream world, get back to reality. Oh! I’m back to my hoopty.”

Nuance is Reminisce’s primary record producer. He creates his music in South Bend, Indiana. He wrote the instrumentals for “Hoopty,” “Good Vibes,” and “WakeUp.” Nuance says, “It’s a creative process of two open minded individuals who love the art of music. We are open-minded about the creative process. We have tunnel vision when working on our music. Reminisce and I bond when we are inside our work.”

“I really like working with Nuance,” says Reminisce. “We build music together.”

I asked Reminisce how she writes her lyrics.

“My lyrics are influenced by time and place. I get inkling, and the rest tends to follow. I think, what are you going through now? First I am usually inspired by the instrumentals. With “Good Vibes” Nuance said, Reminisce, listen to this. I came up with the hook, and I told Nuance, I need this. I came back with the verses, and we got “Good Vibes.”

I asked Reminisce to describe her music.

“I don’t call myself a singer. I call myself an expressive vocalist. I don’t consider myself rap. I feel something and I want to say it melodically. My music is alternative hip-hop. I feel like I have more versatility than rap. I am more like Chance the Rapper or Masego. I am in this kind of in between indie medium. My music lives somewhere between hip-hop, classic soul and jazz.”

$1.96 https://open.spotify.com/artist/46wIcbFJUKSJsg8uY3bcla

Good Vibes https://open.spotify.com/album/4ufoKCp0XhhhczrgWLZCzf

Hobbnobbin https://open.spotify.com/album/613dcGG1qAgnEUAR9HBZUc

Reminiscenisce.X and Nuance Good Vibes