Veteran emcee, lyricist, and cultural torchbearer Mic Nickels returns with a ferocious new single and video, “Against the World,” the latest offering from his critically praised 2024 album, The Impressionist. Featuring legendary lyricists Rah Digga and Rockness Monsta, alongside UK turntable titan DJ Keef Wookie, this latest release cements Mic Nickels’ position as one of the most consistent and respected voices in underground hip hop.
Shot on the raw industrial streets of Long Island City by visionary director Jamal Hall, the video captures a gritty, boom-bap aesthetic that pays homage to the golden era of East Coast hip hop. “Against the World” is a bold, unapologetic anthem that reflects Nickels’ unshakeable commitment to truth, loyalty, and bars that hit like bricks.
Since its release in November 2024, The Impressionist has been turning heads across the culture. Fully produced by Serbian beatmaker phenom, Kiza, the album has been lauded by Insomniac Magazine as “an 8-track master opus,”and has remained in rotation on hip hop playlists and stations worldwide. Prior singles like “The Possibilities” and “In the Water” (featuring Kurious and L.I.F.E.Long) have further amplified Nickels’ trajectory, with cinematic videos and razor-sharp lyrical displays that harken back to the golden age of storytelling rap.
Mic Nickels is no newcomer to the mic. Known for his unrelenting charisma and high-level lyricism, he spent over eight years fronting Nickel and Dime Ops, the longest-running weekly hip hop residency in NYC history. His previous album, Bars for Days, was a tour de force that dropped alongside a memoir/ethnography of the same name—a work so impactful it became curriculum at Berklee College of Music. The project’s breakout single, “El Matador” featuring Method Man, earned major attention on MTV, BET, and streaming platforms worldwide.
Whether known as Nickel Five or Nickel Killsmics, Mic Nickels continues to inspire a generation of indie artists through his tireless work ethic, international collaborations, and fearless artistic expression. A co-founder of the global crew MHB, he has shared stages with legends like Jeru the Damaja, Gregory Porter, The Alkaholiks, and Biz Markie, and opened for major acts like Pitbull—all while holding down stages across the U.S. and Europe.
In the studio, his track record is just as formidable, having worked with Grammy-winning and nominated artists such as Ian Hendrickson-Smith (The Roots), Lawrence Leathers, Jean Baylor, and Brandon “Bizzy” Hollemon, alongside some of the most iconic names in hip hop.
“Against the World” is out now, along with an unreleased bonus track, giving fans a taste of what’s to come from the highly anticipated follow-up, The Impressionist 2, now in production.
About Mic Nickels:
Mic Nickels is a seasoned New York-based rapper, producer, and author known for his razor-sharp lyricism, dynamic live performances, and deep-rooted dedication to hip hop culture. As the frontman of the live band Nickel and Dime Ops, and a solo artist with over two decades in the game, Nickels has collaborated with legends like Method Man, Rah Digga, and Rockness Monsta, and performed alongside acts such as Biz Markie, Pitbull, and Jeru the Damaja. His critically acclaimed album and memoir Bars for Days became part of the curriculum at Berklee College of Music, solidifying his impact beyond the mic. With a style that resonates with fans of Wu-Tang Clan, KRS-One, Mos Def, and Nas, Mic Nickels continues to inspire through every verse, video, and stage he touches.
Follow Mic Nickels
- Website: www.spotmeanickel.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/micnickelshiphop
- Twitter: twitter.com/MicNickels
- Instagram: instagram.com/micnickels
- Spotify: Spotify Artist Page
- YouTube: youtube.com/@MicNickels