How did you come up with the name Nolan Rashawn?

The first half of the answer is real easy. Nolan is my birth name given to me by my parents. They thought it was acool name (unique). Rashawn has a little bit of a story behind it. I was looking for a surname something that rolled off the tongue real easy. It had to fit the music I was making. I got to thinking too hard about it so I said forget it, it will come to me sooner or later. No lie two nights later I woke up at like 4am in the morning and the first thing i said was Nolan Rashawn. Rashawn is also my brothers middle name so it held significance there too. Being that he’s been a huge motivating source in my life.

Where are you from, and what was it like growing up there? 

I was born in Vallejo and raised in Fairfield CA. Fairfield is a different little city but its packed full of talented people. It’s very diverse in Fairfield as well being that most of the people are coming from the bay area also the air force base in the city. So I think it was the perfect mix for me growing up. The city wasn’t too big to get lost in.

Who were you raised by? Tell us your family situation. Got any brothers, sisters, or any siblings?

Tell us about your childhood, and how it impacted your music? I was raised by my mother and father. They’ve been married going on 30 years this year. My immediate family was real close my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins all lived in Solano county. I have one brother he’s older. I literally did everything he did growing up. Same sports, classes in school same major in college. Growing up I wasn’t the most popular kid I had friends don’t get me wrong, but I never really felt like I fully fit in. I thought a lot differently than a lot of my friends. So naturally I didn’t relate to the kids my age. Music ended up being my escape from all of that. And the only music I knew at that time was Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Maze & Frankie Beverly then eventually the Musiq Soul Child, Alicia Keys, Usher, R Kelly the list goes on. RnB has always captured my attention. I really can’t explain to you why I love it so much.

What age did you start singing?

I’ve been singing since I was a little kid, but it was something I kept to myself for a long time. I wasn’t until high school when I started singing around people. It grew from there.

What inspired you to pursue making music?

My first year out of high school my friends started rapping in a group called the F-Squad (that’s another story). One of the guys in the group knew I could sing so he asked me to do a hook for them. I had no prior recording experience. From that point the rest is history. I fell in love! LOL.

What made you pursue music as a way to make money?

Honestly If i can spend so much time working doing something I don’t have a heart for and develop it as a skill. Why can’t I put that same energy into doing something I want to do and love to do, and make money doing it. You have to treat it like you would a multi-million dollar company. You have to put time into it consistently.

What artists do you work with? Or rubbed shoulders with?

HBK P-Lo has rocked with me from the beginning of my solo career. Smoovie Baby is a real good friend of mine we used to work together a lot, they are both Bay Area Guys. I spend a year down in LA and got to linked with a good group of guys consisting of the Heat Squad, real talented guys. You’ll definitely hear work from them on my project. Also I worked with two guys named Donyea and Robert-
Norman. They are both songwriters residing down in Hollywood. Robert Norman is a real talented dude and good person.

What else you got coming out? New Album? or Mixtape?

I have an EP coming out titled “Forever” came from the title of the single I have out now. Looking to put it out in late July.

Tell us about your newest single “Forever”, how did you come up with that, share us the story? 

It started with a beat I got from P-Lo and I was sitting on it for a while. I had a studio session with Tonez P from the Heat Squad. The majority of the music I put out is catered so the concept just came about with me thinking of that woman I would want to be with forever. The simple little things, with that me and Tonez P came up with “Forever”.

Any new travel plans, what you got going on?

Actually my birthday is coming up so Im headed down to Cabo San-Lucas to celebrate it the right way. So that’ll be fun. I have a show right before that down in San Diego so I’ll be down there for a little
while also. What is the biggest thing to happen in your career? My experience down in LA has been the biggest thing for me to this point. I learned a lot, got to work with some real dope people, and I made good connections down there. So that has definitely been the biggest thing thus far.

Where can people find you?

Twitter is the best place to find me @NolanRashawn or on Instagram @NolanRashawn.

Any last words or shout outs?

I want to shot out the people who have supported me from day one. My

parents of course, my brother, my cousin who helped

me set up my studio she is always supportive and helpful I love her to

death for that. Also shout out to my homie Getright, Amtrax, Mike –

Dash-E, my girl Lo, and last but not least my manager Ernest McCarty Square One Management. We definitely got a good future ahead. Reply Forward