N.A.B.J.M, an emerging artist with roots in trap and hip hop, began his musical journey during his freshman year of high school. For him, making music wasn’t just about creative expression but also a means to vent. “I needed a way to communicate,” he explains, reflecting on a time when writing lyrics helped him express emotions he couldn’t otherwise convey in a relationship. This raw honesty has remained a core part of his music-making process ever since.
A Broad Variety of Sounds
Known for experimenting with different styles, N.A.B.J.M’s approach to music is simple: if it sounds good to his ear, he’ll rap on it. While trap and hip hop are his go-to genres, his curiosity has led him to explore outside the box. He even dabbled in rock at one point, though, as he humorously admits, that song will never see the light of day. “I tried to do rock at one point but I’m never dropping that song,” he laughs.
Though his roots are in rap, his early music experiences were shaped by a surprising instrument—the flute. “Yes, I was a band kid,” N.A.B.J.M says, acknowledging his time in school band, where he honed his musical chops. “I was good enough at it, that’s all imma say,” he jokes, hinting at a humble confidence in his abilities.
Influences: From J.I.D to Earl Sweatshirt
N.A.B.J.M’s musical influences span a wide range of styles, but a pivotal moment came in his sophomore year of high school when he discovered J.I.D. “I was hella influenced by J.I.D,” he recalls, describing how he would try to replicate the rapper’s one-take recording style, often running out of breath in the process. As he matured as an artist, he found his own voice, learning to rap more naturally, akin to the advice Earl Sweatshirt once gave Lucki—keeping it real and rapping about whatever is going on at the moment or his mental state after a particular situation.
This authenticity, coupled with a willingness to experiment, defines his work. He doesn’t shy away from creating music that might not appeal to everyone. “A lot of my tracks are gonna suck a** to the same people that want to hear 808’s breaking their eardrums, and I’m cool with that for right now,” he admits.
A Passion-Driven Path
For N.A.B.J.M, music is more about passion than pursuing it as a full-time career. He likens his journey to YouTuber Corey Kenshin’s—a blend of gratitude for his fans and a focus on balancing life with creativity. “I’m grateful for the people that actually tune in right now,” he says, explaining that over the last few years, he’s prioritized his life over rap. “It’s not gonna pay my life right now.”
Despite this, his passion remains evident. He’s released two EPs, Rich In Faith and Redo, as well as one album, ECHO. He’s candid about the self-made nature of these projects, joking that they sound like they were made by him—raw and unpolished. But for N.A.B.J.M, the release of these projects, even the ones that don’t get much play, is a personal victory. “I’m glad I finally dropped this damn song,” he says, referring to “Love from a Distance.” For him, these tracks are more like memories, milestones in his personal growth rather than chart-toppers.
Memorable Milestones
One of N.A.B.J.M’s most significant moments came when his friends started to recognize his dedication to music. In the early days, his peers weren’t sold on the idea of him being a serious artist, side-eyeing his initial tracks. But things changed over time. “Then that one song you show them later on, and you notice they start to bump your music now,” he says. This shift—from skepticism to support—has been a rewarding validation of the progress he’s making.
What’s Next?
N.A.B.J.M is gearing up for new releases in the near future. A Halloween project is set to drop soon, followed by another exciting project afterward. As he continues to hone his craft and build his catalog, fans can expect more authentic, genre-blurring music from the artist, all delivered with the same passion and honesty that defines his journey.
For N.A.B.J.M, it’s all about the slow, steady progress—each project, each song a reflection of where he is at that moment in time. “Knowing it’s slowly but surely paying off” keeps him going, and his growing fanbase is eager to see where this talented artist takes his sound next.