Crowd Control Records was founded in 1995 by NickNack in an effort to promote his own mixtapes and music productions. The label has released music and worked with artists such as Bavu Blakes, BLAZE, Enfoe, Chicken George, Bird Peterson over the years. The goal has always been to focus on quality over quantity, because in the end perception truly is reality.
NickNack Bio (short version)
From vinyl manipulation on the turntables, to current production of unique melodic tracks, Crowd Control Records CEO, NickNack is a true soundcraftsman. His musical journey began in the late 80's after making the transition from hiphop spectator to participant. Cutting his teeth from the very beginning as a young appreciative turntablist knocking off rivals at Dallas' Sound Wars battles in the mid-nineties, Nick has worked hard to encompass a broad vision of ability, and a verbose sense of instrumentality, to match his already fruitful passion for music.
Nick's 3rd album "Dearly Departed" was released in June 2010.
His progression as an artist, deejay and businessman is quite obvious, but his job is never done. Always in exploration of advancing his full turntablist potentials, and with countless projects on the horizon, Nick has grown into a unique artist, in a constant search of endeavors new and improved. Stay tuned, because this is only the beginning.
NickNack Bio (full version)
From vinyl manipulation on the turntables, to current production of unique melodic tracks, Crowd Control Records CEO, NickNack is a true soundcraftsman. His musical journey began in the late 80's after making the transition from hiphop spectator to participant. Cutting his teeth from the very beginning as a young appreciative turntablist knocking off rivals at Dallas' Sound Wars battles in the mid-nineties, Nick has worked hard to encompass a broad vision of ability, and a verbose sense of instrumentality, to match his already fruitful passion for music.
More than just matching beats, hiphop, offered a sense of belonging, a foundation of culture that went far beyond the battles in his hometown of Dallas, TX. So when Nick packed up his tables for college life, he strove to unite the Austin hiphop community through 5 years of tireless effort at KVRX's "Bside Mixshow." He also co-founded HipHop Mecca in a very successful attempt to put Austin on the map by hosting and deejaying shows with the likes of Hieroglyphics, Organized Konfusion and icons Gangstarr, but more importantly set up a solid media network that extended far beyond university press into the realm of community activism.
Nick found his niche within the music industry via radio and live shows by 1997. He had solidified his name and reputation as a pillar of the burgeoning Austin hiphop scene. It was time for this young man to begin to grow beyond his current boundaries. Reaching the peak of his career as a battle deejay, Nick changed his focus to production with a series of early releases on his Crowd Control Records label.
With his new found success as an artist, Nick was poised for his next musical expansion. In the summer of 2002 Nick linked up with drummer Brannen Temple and was instantly inducted into the jazz band BLAZE as the 5th member. Nick's chops as a turntablist drastically increased in his new musical surroundings. "Playing with a jazz band isn't exactly a cakewalk" Nick explains, "you have to know music...when to play and when not to." His ability to perform live improved as BLAZE toured US/Canada in the summer of 2003 and in the winter of 2004 the band hit Europe. Later that year Nick released "Improving Silence" which garnered him international attention, phenomenal sales and several licensing deals.
In 2006 Nick diversified his stance in the music industry by founding the dj friendly digital music community and store www.GigaCrate.com. In 3 short years the site has over 25,000 registered DJs and is ranked in the top 70k websites based on internet traffic.
Nick's 3rd album "Dearly Departed" was released in June 2010.
His progression as an artist, deejay and businessman is quite obvious, but his job is never done. Always in exploration of advancing his full turntablist potentials, and with countless projects on the horizon, Nick has grown into a unique artist, in a constant search of endeavors new and improved. Stay tuned, because this is only the beginning.
