Interview
The LiFTED 5: HYPE TRAIN GROUP’s NINO aims for the Hall of Fame
“The goal for me is to not always have big hits but to display my creativity and just simply have fun with it”
There are some people in Hip Hop who excel at one part of the game. Then there are those, like HYPE TRAIN GROUP’s NINO, who do it all. He’s a producer. He’s a songwriter. He’s a talent scout. He’s a mentor to up-and-coming rappers. And he’s a CEO, so he has a hand in all the big decisions.
With beat making, bi-weekly releases, a passion for cars, finishing an album, and looking to sign new talent to HYPE TRAIN GROUP, NINO is a busy, busy man. LiFTED caught up with him to hear his story and learn about what drives him and his plans for the future.
You are a producer, songwriter, and CEO. Which came first? Which one do you like the most? Why?
If I were to choose one, I would choose producer because this is my career and it is what drove me to have my own label and become the CEO of HYPE TRAIN GROUP.
Your name has been hot on the street because it’s everywhere. HYPE TRAIN has been blasting out songs nearly every week. What is your strategy for all these new releases? How do you keep the quality of work so high?
Honestly, releasing music every other week does come with pros and cons. But I like to challenge myself by using those pros and cons to strategize further. I try not to stress over it if our releases don’t turn out the way we anticipated. The goal for me is to not always have big hits but display my creativity and just simply have fun with it.
You’ve worked with all the big names in Thai Hip Hop. Is there anyone you want to work with that you haven’t yet in Thailand? How about internationally?
I have produced songs for many big artists here in Thailand. Of course, there are still a lot of my favorite artists out there that I’d like to collaborate with. Rock bands like Bodyslam or Sillycool are top on my top list. As for international artists, it is a dream to work with Chris Brown, J Cole, Bryson Tiller, and Drake. I’d say these are my ultimate goals.
You’ve got an interest in race cars with Trap House Racing. How did that come about? Where do you see car racing going in Thailand?
I started liking cars at a young age due to my family business. I grew up with cars and it pretty much became a passion and a hobby of mine. I wouldn’t say that TRAP HOUSE RACING is a crew or something, but more like a group of friends who share the same interest in cars. The cars don’t need to be race cars. Any type of car whether it’s electric cars or anything can be part of this, too. Those who like cars are willing to invest a lot into their passion, especially because we have a really high tax here in Thailand.
What is coming up in 2023 and 2024 for you as a producer, songwriter, and CEO? Are there any big plans for the HYPE TRAIN GROUP in the near future?
For myself personally as a producer and a songwriter, I will have an album coming out soon, hopefully the first quarter of 2024, called HALL OF FAME. As for my role as CEO and the producer of HYPE TRAIN GROUP, we recently launched an audition for artists called THE NEXT HYPE where we are scouting for potential new artists to join the HYPE TRAIN label. At the end of the audition, we will also be hosting THE NEXT HYPE CONCERT in mid-November with an exclusive line-up of performers.
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