Fresh Batch: Nikkuubeats and Chris Caro
Mini-Interviews with Rising Artists
Welcome to a Midnight Donuts segment where we highlight upcoming talent in our space with mini-interviews! Today, we’re talking to Nikkuubeats and Chris Caro.
This article originally appeared in Midnight Donuts #6 from January 2025. Want to read the most recent edition of Midnight Donuts? You can do so here!
Nikkuubeats
Where are you from?
I’m from San Diego California.
Use three adjectives to describe your music.
I’d describe my music as raw, gritty and nostalgic.
How did you first get started making music?
I started back in 2008—I got ahold of a copy of a program called FruityLoops and started playing around and self-taught myself how to make beats.
What's up next for you?
For the future I’m going to be working with Polished Arrow artists on some new music. Looking to start working on an EP with Procyse as well.
Chris Caro
Where are you from?
Montreal, Canada.
Use three adjectives to describe your music.
Honest, passionate, hopeful.
How did you first get started making music?
I went to a high school that put a lot of emphasis on arts and music, so by the time I got to college studying business there was a creative void in my life. So, I bought a laptop and a mic and started writing songs. Ultimately it would lead me to ask myself who am I and what do I believe in (because I wanted to make meaningful music), which led to the answer being found through salvation in Jesus Christ. I’ve been making music ever since.
Given that background in arts and music, how did you settle on hip-hop for your style of choice?
The first CDs I ever bought were Linkin Park’s Meteora, College Dropout by Kanye West, and Get Rich or Die Tryin’ by 50 Cent. My dad used to bump Eminem in the car as well. [Laughs] So, I became a big hip-hop fan in my youth. Then, right before I got saved, I was listening to Kendrick Lamar Section.80, TDE, and early J. Cole stuff, Lupe Fiasco etc. Although some of my first attempts at songwriting were mostly singing, I soon started writing raps (though terrible). When I got saved, I had a moment where I thought I wouldn’t pursue music anymore, but then I discovered Lecrae and S.O. the Kid and it clicked that it was possible to rap and do music for the glory of God.
What's up next for you?
For now, the plan is just to keep rolling out high quality singles with OnBeatMusic and see where it goes from there. We hope to start 2025 strong with my first ever feature from a very special CHH vet on what I think is our best single yet.
Recent articles on the site: bødyWash. Interview • nobigdyl. Album Review • Is Hip-Hop A Young Man’s Game? • 3RD CZN Interview • A Year in CHH: A Retrospective on Entering and Enjoying the Subculture
Recent Bonus Batch content: nobigdyl. Concert Review • Midnight Donuts Podcast #1 • Kevin Hackett Interview Audio
