Niko Brim Talks About Him Touring With Rapsody, His Business, Create Your Now (CYN), and More

New York native Niko Brim, an emerging artist and producer, who has been on his first national tour with Roc Nation, emcee Rapsody. The experience has set the bar higher for Brim. Being mentioned in many conversations of emerging rap acts from New York, Niko continues to illustrate his journey through his music. Brim is also the co-founder of popular Hip-Hop collective, CYN alongside Brooklyn’s own Kai Ca$h. Juggling the two, his platform is broadening by impacting his audience with his vibrant storytelling and raw authenticity with music. We have caught up with Niko, and he explains the start of his business, Create Your Own, his first national tour, his reaction to Fabo praising his freestyle on Sway’s Instagram live and more.

RESPECT.: How did you get the name and business of (CYN)?

Myself and my brother Kai Ca$h created CYN when we were younger. Standing for Create Your Now, we wanted to create empowerment by making good music and curating lifestyle. It means to take a hold of your present moments and use them constructively. Also, we’re from NYC so it’s just that spelled backwards too (laughs).

RESPECT.: What was your most memorable moment while you were on tour with Rapsody? What did it teach you?

The Vermont show! They kept screaming “one more song .. one more song”. This was my first tour, CRAZY! I traveled and realized; I spread a message from my community in New York to all of these people who have no idea. That really was a dream come true.

RESPECT.: From poetry to rapping, how and why did you transition into the entertainment industry?

I wouldn’t say I transitioned into the game. My parents have been in it since I was born. I understood it thoroughly before I got involved. I felt that poetry would get me far, and I needed to create a career out of it and turn it into a full-time business.

RESPECT.: By having Fab praising you on Sway’s Instagram Live Freestyle series #bedroombars, what was your feeling about that?

Hype, Humbled and Honored. I was inspired by Fab to pick up the pen and go hard on my lyrics. He is a legend!

RESPECT.: I noticed you recently posted about starting CYN Gaming. How was the start of that with Twitch? And why did you start it?

It is really good with Twitch and it’s really great to network as well as connecting with the fans. If you are in quarantine right now or just enjoy gaming, link up with CYN. It’ll keep us all connected.

RESPECT.: Niko isn’t a common name. Is there a significant meaning to your name?

I’m Jamicain and Japanese. My name in Japanese means “smile”. The original word for “smile” is “Niko Niko” and it didn’t make sense to have two of the same names, so they shortened it (laughs).

RESPECT.: With the release of your mixtape series, ‘A Thousand Pictures,’ and singles like “Woke” and “Feds Watching,” what or how did you want to tell your story?

Tapes are sharing my story and singles are moments in time. When I curated the series I wanted to talk about the underdog. I wanted to bring something that I felt the game was missing; that’s honesty, clarity and really being yourself. I wanted to bring them to my world. From the outskirts of New York City to being arguably one of the best in my generation.

RESPECT.: When can we expect a new project from you?

Myself and Rapsody (she’s the executive producer) are putting the finishing touches on the project. We were planning to release this spring but pushed the project back to late-summer.