- [Voiceover] This is a production of South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

(upbeat chimes) (upbeat rock music) ♪ Hey ♪ - Welcome to Levitt in Your Living Room.

I'm your host Apolonia Davalos and we're so excited for you to be with us tonight.

First, a sincere thank you to our 2021 season presenting sponsors, Sanford Health, and our episode sponsor Dan & Arlene Kirby for their support of tonight's programming, as well as the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation.

Levitt Shell Sioux Falls is part of a national network of outdoor Levitt music venues and concert sites dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of communities, presenting a broad array of music genres, and cultural programming, Levitt venues bring together families, friends, and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds.

Learn more at www.levitt.org.

(crowd cheers) Levitt at the Falls has a mission to build community through music, and we're going to celebrate that tradition here tonight.

It is our honor to introduce a glorious artist whose music, culture, image, can be described as a vocal, performance heavy, black nerd, hip hop with positive affirmations and a powerful message.

Ladies and gentlemen, join me in welcoming into your home, Nur-D!

- Hello, ah!

Hi!

- Welcome, thank you so much for being with us here tonight.

- Yo, thanks so much for having me.

It is dope.

Hello everyone.

I see you.

I see you.

I love what you did with the place.

It is looking fantastic.

- First of all, you're amazing.

Thank you for being with us here tonight, and tell us about, you're originally born in Bronx, New York, but you have a journey all on its own.

Where do you hail from currently?

- So I rap the twin cities that is in Minnesota.

For those of you who don't know from the great white north, I think that's what they call us now.

I don't know exactly all of our monikers now, but the land of 10,000 lakes, I've been all over it.

So Rosemont, Minnesota, shout out to RHS and all of the Irish at Rosemont.

I was at Minneapolis, St. Paul Eagan, anywhere in Minnesota, outside of like, like the really tippy top, like the boundary waters, like I've been everywhere.

And that is my home.

Minnesota is my home for sure.

- Well, we are looking forward to when you're here, so you can call Sioux Falls a second home.

So we cannot wait for this summer.

And you launched in 2018.

So 2018, 19 20, 21, 4 years, six albums.

And I'm gonna race through this because you have achieved so much in such a short amount of time.

So we got Insert Catchphrase Here, Mixtape 2: Electric Boogaloo, let's see Songs About Stuff, Trapped in My Room, 38th, and Chicago Avenue.

How did you do it?

- Yes.

You know, describe your journey.

- Well, I mean, first of all is not without a massive amount of help.

There's amazing a bunch of producers and, and artists that have been alongside me throughout this entire project.

Every single song that you hear is made from people just so talented, so it's been really great.

I have been doing music my whole life.

I was in rock and roll before I was actually in hip hop.

And so I've been performing for a while and I just love making art.

I love making music.

I love being able to pour myself out onto a track.

So it's funny to me because I hear six albums and I it's, for me, I'm like, oh, only six.

And people were looking at me like, "Only six?

You've been around for not even like barely four years, not even.

And you made six whole projects, 10 plus songs and everything."

And yeah, I just, I love making art.

It's probably one of my favorite things to do.

So I, it, for me, it just kind of spills out.

I have to actually work on not putting out so much stuff.

- So where, you said you started first out.

You're in, rock'n'roll previously.

Now we have Nur-D and we're all embracing the Nur-D culture.

Where does that name and title come from?

- Yeah.

So Nur-D it's funny enough, when I was in middle school growing up, I'd be like, nowadays, it's really cool to be like a nerd and rock all the comic book stuff, but it wasn't always like the thing to do.

And so I got made fun of a lot growing up for that and being a nerdy kid was like this a negative thing.

But then I decided one day I was like, you know what, I'm going to, I'm just going to be positive.

I that's who I am and I'm going to embrace it.

I'm going to embrace that part of myself.

And so I just started calling myself Nur-D because it was like, yeah, I am nerdy.

Like I am that.

And I'm happy to be that I'm excited to be that.

And so that's where the name originated.

That's where the title, the moniker, the Batman begins story.

That was, that was it.

- Watch out Christopher Nolan he can make your next movie.

- That's right.

Ya better cast me, I could do a Batman voice.

I can do a pretty good Batman voice Rachel.

Rachel.

I can do it.

I can make it Where is she?

- Clearly there's so many talents and layers to this, to this man, ladies and gentlemen.

So the very first song to, that we're going to be hearing this evening.

Could you tell us a little bit about it?

- Yeah.

So Watch Me is a song from my very first project called Insert Catch Phrase Here.

My very first thing I've ever made and this particular video was fun because it was, we did it recently.

So during the pandemic and everything has been kind of all crazy, but it was fun to get back to my roots of making music, which was honestly just about being myself, embracing my own style, my own flair.

And it is, Watch Me as my favorite song on that project because it was where I really got to pour everything out and be like, "Hey, this is something I could do.

This is something I could actually do."

And so, yeah, I have a big love in my heart for that song.

- Wonderful ladies and gentlemen, Watch Me.

(slow upbeat hip hop music) - Hey, we're here.

We're out of my patio, actually.

This is, this is where I live.

♪ Yeah, ha, okay ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah I'm Nur-D and I kinda rap a little bit ♪ ♪ Underrated, man I kind of like the sound of it ♪ ♪ Never hated but I'm sure I got some dislikes ♪ ♪ Hope I get it this time ♪ ♪ Hope the music hits right.

♪ ♪ All up in you soul ♪ ♪ And the flow gets you where you need to go ♪ ♪ But if no, ♪ ♪ Well, I guess I will not see you at my show ♪ ♪ And if not, I won't lose any sleep ♪ ♪ 'Cause the people in the stands ♪ ♪ Tell me who they want to see ♪ ♪ And even if it isn't me ♪ ♪ And they're waiting for the next band ♪ ♪ I'm a be all in it ♪ ♪ For my minute til I make them stand ♪ ♪ And they turn right round ♪ ♪ And they say who dis ♪ ♪ With that brand new sound ♪ ♪ And I'll smile sayin' ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ Hit the stage and I'll show you what I got see ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ Steady winning you can hear me screaming Yahtzee ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ Nerdy Nur-D's 'bout to take it top see ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ I'm a never come down ♪ ♪ And I'm never coming down again, again, again ♪ ♪ And I never coming down again ♪ ♪ All I want to do is leave my impression ♪ ♪ By speaking my messages ♪ ♪ Learn from my lessons ♪ ♪ And capture my essence ♪ ♪ It's fuller than breathe is ♪ ♪ Kids before breakfasts ♪ ♪ Love without preferences ♪ ♪ Hate the injustice ♪ ♪ And fight the oppression ♪ ♪ And making some money ♪ ♪ Now back to these sentences ♪ ♪ Gotta confess ♪ ♪ Not so impressed with these macho aggressives ♪ ♪ These lions never needing the dentist ♪ ♪ I'm on the offensive ♪ ♪ Off of the benches ♪ ♪ I'm swinging for fences ♪ ♪ I'm not into baseball ♪ ♪ But you get the reference ♪ ♪ Get the impression ♪ ♪ Not gonna stop until this is my profession ♪ ♪ Til this is my job ♪ ♪ I can make money to pay back my mom ♪ ♪ Every cent and every dollar ♪ ♪ And if it doesn't bounce ♪ ♪ I know that she won't even notice I'm gone ♪ ♪ Prodigal son ♪ ♪ Music's my daddy and he's going to run ♪ ♪ Right out of his sandals ♪ ♪ And pick me up in his arms ♪ ♪ And carry me home ♪ ♪ Bring in the rope ♪ ♪ Peace from my soul ♪ ♪ And where I will go ♪ ♪ I don't even know ♪ ♪ It's yet to be told ♪ ♪ I'm just taking a second ♪ ♪ To breathe ♪ ♪ I'm just taking this stuff to my dream ♪ ♪ All is to make you believe ♪ ♪ Turn ya eyes to the stage and you can say ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ Hit the stage ♪ ♪ And then I'll show you what got see ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ Steady winning you can hear me screaming Yahtzee ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ Nerdy Nur-D's bout to take it to the top see ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ You can watch me ♪ ♪ I'm a never come down ♪ ♪ And I never coming down again, again, again ♪ ♪ And I never coming down again ♪ ♪ Never gonna come down again ♪ ♪ Never gonna touch the ground again ♪ ♪ If you want to see me round again ♪ ♪ Look to the stage, watch how I play ♪ ♪ Sing, sing a song ♪ ♪ Make it simple to last your whole life long ♪ ♪ It don't matter if it's not good enough ♪ ♪ For anyone else to hear ♪ ♪ Just sing, sing a song ♪ ♪ Sing, sing a song ♪ ♪ Make it simple to last your whole life long ♪ ♪ It don't matter if it's not good enough ♪ ♪ For anyone else to hear ♪ ♪ Just sing, sing a song ♪ ♪ Sing, sing a song ♪ ♪ Make it simple ♪ ♪ To last your whole life long ♪ ♪ It don't matter if it's not good enough ♪ ♪ For anyone else to hear ♪ ♪ Just sing ♪ ♪ Sing a song ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ Just sing a song is the point of that.

♪ I don't, still don't, I don't ♪ ♪ I don't, still don't, I don't ♪ ♪ Have a catchphrase yet ♪ (vocalizing) - First of all, thank you for inviting us into your home.

You know, got introduced to your, the patio where some of the some music magic is happening.

Your stage can be anywhere.

I love that.

- Exactly your stage can be anywhere that you want it to be.

- Your music, you're, one of the things you're known for is your energy, your positivity, and which kind of helps us dive into our next song, Take My Picture.

How did that come about?

- So Take My Picture is actually really interesting.

I, as a male identifying artists, it's important for me to embrace the body positivity movement as well.

I think a lot of times there are people, male identifying people specifically that don't, kind of get overlooked in that, in that conversation.

Like we don't get to be told that we're beautiful or told that we're, you know, special or sexy or all the things like that.

And so I wanted to create an anthem, for myself even, for when I was feeling down or feeling insecure about how I looked to be like, no, I look good.

Take my picture.

Like I look nice and I should be celebrating myself and my body and how I look.

And so that's where that song came about and that energy and that fun and the beauty, that's where Take My Picture came from.

- Awesome.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, get ready to dance for, Take My Picture.

(fast paced hip hop music) ♪ Yeah, I don't got a catch phrase yet ♪ ♪ Still don't I don't ♪ ♪ This is what the tone about ♪ ♪ I don't still don't I don't ♪ ♪ Yeah, woo, okay ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ I look super hot right now ♪ ♪ Girl take my picture ♪ ♪ I'm too sexy in this shirt ♪ ♪ Boy take my picture ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ I look super hot right now ♪ ♪ Girl take my picture ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ I'm too sexy in this shirt ♪ ♪ Boy take my picture ♪ ♪ I look good, take my picture ♪ ♪ This is one of my good days ♪ ♪ One of the ones that I do believe ♪ ♪ Everything that she said to me ♪ ♪ Like every single time ♪ ♪ She said Nur-D is super fine ♪ ♪ I look into the mirror ♪ ♪ And I think she might be kinda right 'cause I know ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ I look super hot right now ♪ ♪ Girl take my picture ♪ ♪ I'm too sexy in this shirt ♪ ♪ Boy take my picture ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ This is one of my better days ♪ ♪ One of the times I'm not going to believe the lies ♪ ♪ Not going to hide my hot self away ♪ ♪ Oh no, 'cause I'm going out ♪ ♪ And I'm looking for fricking fresh for ya no doubt ♪ ♪ I'm a hot beef ♪ ♪ I'm a slick piece ♪ ♪ When you see me on the street ♪ ♪ Take your phone out because you know ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ I look super hot right now ♪ ♪ Girl take my picture ♪ ♪ I'm too sexy in this shirt ♪ ♪ Boy take my picture ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ This is one of my best days ♪ ♪ Ex nay on that excel to me one more ♪ ♪ And it's checkmate ♪ ♪ And I'm about it, made it, ♪ ♪ You look like a ten ♪ ♪ And we looking like a rick festival ♪ ♪ Soon as I am able ♪ ♪ Put you on the table ♪ ♪ Give you what you want ♪ ♪ Oh yeah I'm a get you what you need ♪ ♪ 'Cause see when I'm feeling myself ♪ ♪ Maybe I can be the one you need ♪ ♪ Maybe I can be the one to tell your friends ♪ ♪ About when we be hanging out on Becky's couch ♪ ♪ If it's the truth it's not conceited ♪ ♪ They'd be nodding their heads ♪ ♪ Because they all believe it ♪ ♪ And I ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ I look super hot right now ♪ ♪ Girl take my picture ♪ ♪ I'm too sexy in this shirt ♪ ♪ Boy take my picture ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ This for one of my bad days ♪ ♪ One of the ones where there's no one else ♪ ♪ One of the ones where I hate myself ♪ ♪ One of the times I ♪ ♪ Feel like I don't want to try ♪ ♪ Maybe I could take the CD ♪ ♪ Put it on repeat ♪ ♪ And maybe I will just start believing that ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ I look super hot right now ♪ ♪ Girl take my picture ♪ ♪ I'm too sexy in this shirt ♪ ♪ Boy take my picture ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ I look super hot right now ♪ ♪ Girl take my picture ♪ ♪ I'm too sexy in this shirt ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ Oh my god ♪ ♪ I look good ♪ ♪ Take my picture ♪ ♪ I'm sexy ♪ (vocalizing) - Wow, that is such a fun song.

What was it like making that video?

- So that was my first ever music video that I've ever made.

It was a blast!

We got to go all around.

We were at a Pride festival in Twin Cities, which was such a beautiful atmosphere going around, being there with all the people, dancing around, being silly.

We were at Modest Brewing in the north loop and that's where I got my start actually.

That was my that's where I did my first ever open mic was at that brewery.

So I was dancing around in the place get to play with the dogs and stuff.

It was a blast.

I didn't, I've never done a music video before.

So it was just a lot of fun.

And seeing it all put together, even the shots of me in my bedroom, my own bedroom, like it was just, it was so fun on and it made me go like, oh wow, this is real.

Like, this is a real music video look at me.

It was really, I was really happy about it.

- Well it definitely, it's just so much fun.

I love, it is the pinnacle of what we're trying to do with the Levitt, you know, music, building community, bringing everyone together and you truly embody that through, through that song and the music video itself.

So I'm excited for us to embrace you when you're here in town.

- Yes, I'm so excited.

We, me and the band, we are ready to go.

I can't tell you enough how excited we are.

- This year with COVID and everything.

You, you are an artist and one thing I've learned learned about you, but also really learn to love about you is how you give back to your community and how, and you've shown this past year, how the arts are essential and how you can be instrumental in reaching out to everyone, you know, with the Minnesota Relief, Zinnia Theater Project.

Can you share with us what this year has been like for you and have you used music through COVID and helped your community?

- Yeah, I mean, obviously the arts were one of the industries that really got hit super hard by COVID.

And so many people lost shows, lost gigs, lost their entire life's income.

All of a sudden, like I know that was me.

There was a one, in one weekend I lost my entire year's worth of shows.

And I had literally just like two months, three months before stepped off of my, like my nine to five job to pursue doing music full time.

So to see that happened was like this really scary time.

But I realized that if I was scared, I know that other people would be feeling that same pressure as well.

And the way that community works powerfully is that when we work to everybody's benefit, then it works to your benefit as well.

So like instead of worrying, like wallowing on what I was going to do, I decided to make moves and make them in such a way that I could help other people.

I had just been voted best new artist on 2019.

And I was like, yo, I have a platform and I can help others with that platform.

And even though I'm worried about where I'm going to get my money from, I know that other people who didn't get that honor are also worrying about that.

And that's where I should be focusing my energies on.

So Minnesota Artists Relief that we started has been able to do that.

Put people money in people's hands, no questions asked.

And that was a beautiful thing.

We raised over $4,000 to give back to the community.

Just here you go, here you go.

You making a song, here you go.

Take this money, keep doing art, please.

And then just outside of that, the Zammia project, when I did my show at the US Bank Stadium, donating money towards that because the art is important, no matter who you are, no matter what stage of life that you're in, the arts can positively affect you.

- Wow, way to just, I think it's a great lesson for all of us.

How, you know, as an artist, you may feel like, what can I do?

You know, what is my purpose?

How am I can, can be of service beyond my means?

And you are living proof of that.

So thank you for being an example and showing us the way and, and helping the community around you.

So ladies and gentlemen, we have an artist here who is also a leader, so we're so thankful for you and thank you for sharing that story with us.

And so on top of that, you also, we have a song, right?

That is around that.

How, how, tell us a little bit about the inspiration.

- So um, Trapped In My Room is a whole album that I made because I couldn't go out.

I couldn't do anything.

I wasn't able to go to the studio like I was normally doing.

So I just, literally, I got my roommate's laptop.

I got an old microphone that I used to use back in college.

And I did what I had, that I did when I started, was just to get into the music, get in to creating.

And I created Trapped In My Room and it was all about how I was feeling about the pandemic and where I was and music in general and using things around the house, just using things around the house as inspiration.

And one of the songs that I made was Six Feet, and it was literally about the social distancing in which that we were experiencing.

And so I got together with my friend, Trent Hilborn, who is an amazing director, And he was like, let's shoot a music video.

And I was like, how are we going to shoot a music video, we can't be next to each other.

And he was like, we'll film it all on a drone.

So the entire music video of Six Feet was filmed via drone.

We were all, we were like 12, 13 feet away from each other at all times.

And he's just flying a drone this close to my face, just doing a whole music video like that.

And it was an experience I'll never forget.

- Oh my, well, I'm sure it's also going to be experience we shall never forget.

Ladies and gentlemen, Six Feet.

(fast paced percussions) ♪ Shock, I made it ♪ ♪ Six feet, six feet away, homie ♪ ♪ Five feet 12 inches away from me ♪ ♪ Keep your distance ♪ ♪ What the heck are you not getting ♪ ♪ Take yourself back to the bathroom ♪ ♪ Wash your hands for 20 seconds ♪ ♪ And then ♪ ♪ Six feet, six feet away, homie ♪ ♪ Five feet 12 inches away from me ♪ ♪ Keep your distance ♪ ♪ What the heck are you not getting ♪ ♪ Take yourself right to the bathroom ♪ ♪ Wash your hands for 20 seconds and then ♪ ♪ Stop listening to Trump ♪ ♪ Stop ordering all the toilet paper from your boy ♪ ♪ I'm tryna take a dump ♪ ♪ Y'all are crazy ♪ ♪ This is serious ♪ ♪ Some of y'all looking really delirious ♪ ♪ And if you need to go out and have a plan ♪ ♪ In and out don't be shaking on nobody's hands ♪ ♪ Just an elbow if you must ♪ ♪ If it's someone that you trust ♪ ♪ But like on everybody else should leave ♪ ♪ 14 less than 20 ♪ ♪ Six feet, six feet away, homie, six feet ♪ ♪ Five feet 12 inches away from me ♪ ♪ Keep ya distance ♪ ♪ What the heck are you not getting ♪ ♪ Take yourself back to the bathroom ♪ ♪ Wash your hands for 20 seconds ♪ ♪ And then six feet, six feet away, homie ♪ ♪ Four feet 24 IN's I won't tell you again ♪ ♪ Go and wash your damn hands ♪ ♪ Seriously like what are you doing?

♪ ♪ Just go wash them.

♪ - Six Feet, super fun.

And through your music, you've also continued to be of service to your community.

There's a, there's a couple of things that you have done.

You have, you know, the, you have the Justice Frontline Aide that you have launched which I believe a non-for-profit.

And you did let's, there's just so much to dive into, share with us about that mission that you have found.

- Yeah, so after the murder of George Floyd, our city, the city is the Twin Cities here specifically Minneapolis was experiencing an uprising and there was so many people being harmed specifically by the Minneapolis Police Department.

And there was nobody around to give first aid.

There was no one around to help, and I realized that there needed to be somebody there to help the people of this city in this time of change and upheaval.

So I got a group of my close friends together, like-minded individuals, and we started something called Justice Frontline Aide, where we would be able to go out, provide that help for the protestors out on the streets.

We've since been able to help with organizers and movement leaders, helping them as they continue their vision for truth, justice and to change to systematic oppression which has been really beautiful.

A lot of it's just handing out water and, and, and making sure that people can cross the street safely and making sure that like, if someone gets hit or hurt, we're able to get them to help, which has been a harrowing task.

It has definitely been something I don't take lightly.

And it's been an honor to be able to serve my community in such a way as an artist who makes my living off of being able to make music that the community listens to, I feel like it is my duty to put myself there to help when these moments happen.

And so that's what justice frontline aide is about.

- And you also did a TEDx discussing this as well.

Can you tell us a little about what that, what that process was like?

- Yeah, the TEDx talk was really, really fun.

Originally they had asked me to do it a little bit ago before everything happened before George Floyd's murder before all of that.

And so I had a whole different thing in mind and then after the events of the summer and I came to them and I said, "Hey, I have to talk about this.

I have to talk about how my music has changed, how my view of the industry has changed and how I feel like we can be better community members, better consumers of entertainment because of this experience."

And so I was able to not only talk about the, some stuff that happens with JFA and being out on the streets, but also talk about how the ears from music needs to change.

As people are expressing their hurt, their pain, the situations that they found themselves in because of racism, because of sexism, because of homophobia, all these things we need to be able to take in and hear with fresh ears.

So I was able to talk about that in a TEDx fashion, which is very different than normal, because again, COVID, so we were just like, maybe like 12 people in a room.

Everybody had masks on, we were all super far away from each other, and it was a humbling opportunity to be able to speak on that in such a high platform.

- And so throughout this process, and now, you know, you're involved and present in the community in a different way, your music also took, you know, a transition, a shift and in the form of this kind of art activism.

So how, what has that process been like for you and the even creating during this, which I, I imagine it was a challenge itself.

Could you kind of share your soul with that one?

- Yeah.

I mean, like, it's really hard to like decide to like write music while you're, you know, choking on tear gas and pulling people out from getting shot at with rubber bullets and stuff.

It's tough to be like, oh, let me write a song and your music, it's going to change you.

Any time that you are affected with brutality and hate, it will change you, even if it's just a little bit.

And because art comes from such an inner place when your soul is hit with that, it does affect your art.

And so it's not, I won't say like an evolution because I feel like that is the wrong term, but it is definitely the shift of my music to encompass more of the life that I was living.

I love all my stuff that I've written before and I'll keep doing it obviously.

But as I, as I, as I expand what, what Nur-D is here to talk about, you'll, like it has changed.

It's opened up a whole lot of doors.

So 38th and Chicago avenue, the dual albums that I made at the end of this, beginning and end of last year, it was a way for me to express that and to show my change and my openness to have these bigger conversations.

- So the next song that you're going to be performing us live is from your, the first of the, of these two series, the 38th album.

Right?

- Correct.

And so give us a, - Yes, yes, yes.

and it's the first one on there.

So we're getting we're starting with the intro.

Share with us what this particular song is about.

And then I will let you take it away.

- Yeah, specifically, this song is called Eight minutes and 46.

And it's specifically about the death of George Floyd, the initial reactions, everything that we've gone through and just sort of diving in, it's the first wading into, as an artist, what do I do and how do I speak on this?

And it was very big for me because it was a major departure from everything I had made previously.

So this first song in the album was really meant to just start that conversation off with an honest, open, raw look.

- Wow, well, let us open our ears, mind, heart to Eight minutes, 46 seconds.

(slow somber music) - [Nina Simone] An honest duty as I'm concerned is to reflect the times.

That, I think that is true of painters, sculptors, poets, musicians it's as I'm concerned it's their choice.

I choose to reflect the times and the situations in which I find myself.

That to me is my duty And at this crucial time in our lives, when everything is so desperate when everyday is a matter of survival, I don't think you can handle being loved.

Young people, black and white know this.

Why there's so many politics.

We will shape and mold this country I will not be molded and shaped at all anymore.

So I don't think I have a choice.

How can you be an artist and not reflect the times?

That to me, the definition of an artist ♪ Eight minutes 46 ♪ ♪ Send him on the River Styx ♪ ♪ Every time you're on your phone ♪ ♪ You'll see a dad's never coming home ♪ ♪ Oh five twenty five ♪ ♪ Oh five twenty five ♪ ♪ Another day, another life ♪ ♪ Tell me what we doing here ♪ ♪ And why am I so used to this ♪ ♪ I've seen things that I can't unsee ♪ ♪ These faces they cling to me ♪ ♪ And I can't sleep, I can't sleep ♪ ♪ We got no justice, no we can't have peace ♪ ♪ They beat our soul but they don't want violence ♪ ♪ They say they want some conversation ♪ ♪ But they really want silence ♪ ♪ But we can't stay quiet ♪ ♪ 'Cause there ain't no hiding from ♪ ♪ Eight minutes 46 ♪ ♪ Send him on the River Styx ♪ ♪ Every time you're on your phone ♪ ♪ You see a dad's never coming home ♪ ♪ Oh five twenty five ♪ ♪ Oh five twenty five ♪ ♪ He called his mother when he died ♪ ♪ And I can feel it in my chest ♪ ♪ What if I'm the one that's next ♪ ♪ I don't want to die on the street ♪ ♪ I don't want to die on the street ♪ ♪ I don't want to die on the street ♪ ♪ I don't, I don't want ♪ ♪ I don't want to die in the street ♪ ♪ I don't want to die in the street ♪ ♪ I don't want to die in the street ♪ ♪ I don't want to die in the street ♪ ♪ I don't want to die in the street ♪ ♪ Swing low ♪ ♪ Sweet chariot ♪ ♪ Coming for to carry me home ♪ ♪ Swing low ♪ ♪ Sweet chariot ♪ ♪ Coming for to carry me ♪ ♪ Home ♪ Thank you.

- Wow, thank you.

Thank you.

The intro to that - Yeah.

is that Nina Simone?

- Yep.

- Oh my gosh, that line, like how can you be an artist and not reflect the times just also really hit.

And it was so wonderful to incorporate her.

Dive into a little bit of your music inspiration.

Like you grew up, you said you mentioned earlier, you're also in theater, you know, performing artist.

What, how did music find you?

Did you grow up with music as a kid?

You know, how do we get Nur-D?

- So, yeah, my family is a musical family.

My grandfather used to play organ and piano in church, and I used to sing and praise and worship at my church.

I was there all the time.

You know what I mean?

Single parent household, we were there every time the door was open, it was basically free daycare.

So I was surrounded by music constantly.

And I went to choir, I was in a choir kid.

I did band in middle school.

I played the trombone, shout out to all the trombonists out there.

But I went to choir.

I was in choir first ever black concert choir President in Rosemont High School history, not to tip my own hat or anything, but I was able to be surrounded by music and theater throughout my formative years through college.

And it is always been a beautiful thing to be able to express yourself.

What do I always say like the music and song is like the soul's language.

It's, it's what comes out of you when you're able to just release that.

And so I've been very, very blessed to be able to make music and make art throughout.

And my musical inspirations are all over the place.

It's been, it's weird being an only black kid in a majority of the white town and trying to find your heart song, but when you're able to do that, it's a, it's a very beautiful thing.

- Well that's perfect.

That leads us into our next song.

Black Kid White Town.

- Oh yeah!

So perfect segue.

Tell us what we're going to be watching.

- So Black Kid White Town featuring Brandon Pulphus.

Shout out to Brandon Pulphus from Fairplay Entertainment.

Shout out the Fairplay entertainment So a Black Kid White Town is a song about just a series of stories from my life and just the concept of what it's like to be a black person in a majority white space, especially growing up little things here and there.

And it was, it's a part of 38th as I just kind of talked about my experiences in that realm.

- All right let's go Ladies and gentleman, Black Kid White Town.

(speaking spanish) (intense low hip hop music) ♪ And it never changes ♪ ♪ In your views they're confused what my name is ♪ ♪ Every brother's on first name basis ♪ ♪ My mom cut my hair 'cause they hate me at greatclips ♪ ♪ And there no safe spaces ♪ ♪ To escape from the looks on they faces ♪ ♪ And the ones that can swear ♪ ♪ That they wave to the black mail man ♪ ♪ So they can't be a racist and ♪ ♪ Jay-Zee's on their playlist, sure ♪ ♪ And you know that he's not but you fake it ♪ ♪ Cause you smile and you nod ♪ ♪ Cause you're wanting the job ♪ ♪ And swallow the last of your patience but ♪ ♪ The next one who touches my hair ♪ ♪ Is gonna get smacked ♪ ♪ Its not a threat, its a fact ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid, what?

♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ Second part of the song ♪ ♪ 9-1-1 when I'm passing the lawn ♪ ♪ Still a long way from the fields where I'm from ♪ ♪ Take a look at your son ♪ ♪ Taking massa to prom and ♪ ♪ Hey, you know, she look real fine, yeah ♪ ♪ Porcelain skin and her hair like wine, okay ♪ ♪ She came up to me and she looked in my eyes ♪ ♪ And she said, we can date when her grandma dies ♪ ♪ Yeah, 'cause she really wasn't having it ♪ ♪ See me saying grace over plates, couldn't fathom it ♪ ♪ Silverware disappears from the cab gone ♪ ♪ Real dad's cool, stepdad isn't having it ♪ ♪ Yo, and that's really the gist of it ♪ ♪ Her momma says that I'm really articulate ♪ ♪ Aw ♪ ♪ They tell me Son, we're so impressed ♪ ♪ And we get that you're one of the good ones ♪ ♪ And that is just that.

♪ ♪ And she tells me, Matt, it's funny you rap ♪ ♪ Cause like, really ♪ ♪ I don't even see you as black ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid, what ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ You ain't racist but you can't discuss your privilege ♪ ♪ Girl and guy is not a major difference ♪ ♪ No cap, uptown, ready for liftoff ♪ ♪ But I can't even get up in the bar with Timbs on ♪ ♪ Why not ♪ ♪ Well I'm thinking that it's obvious ♪ ♪ It's why when I see sirens in the rear view it is ominous ♪ ♪ BLM doesn't mean I want a politic ♪ ♪ Catch a backhand like your compliments ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid, what ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid, get 'em ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid, what let's go ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid ♪ ♪ White town ♪ ♪ Black kid, hold up.

♪ - [Girl] Scene 136, take four.

- [Man] And that's a wrap on Nur-D. (applause) (eerie music) (broken vocalizations) - Wow.

The end of that video, you know, is part of your side hustle, a comedian as well?

- I did a little bit of standup in high school and like, I, I didn't, I didn't end up sticking with it, but I did a little easy, a little bit, a little bit of it.

- Friends, family, all those who are watching, take this opportunity to learn more about all these many endeavors that Nur-D is doing.

Visit his website, www.nurdrocks.com and do follow him on all his social media via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tik Tok.

- Yes, @Nurdrocks It's N U R D rocks like multiple Dwayne Johnson's.

- Yeah Yes and we're very excited for our season.

That's going to launch on Friday, June 11th, 40 free concerts all summer, all the way through September 11th.

And you get to meet Nur-D, jam with Nur-D, celebrate the music on Saturday, July 17th.

So set your calendar now do not miss this epic performance with him and the full band.

- That's right.

Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is coming through.

We are very excited and we're working on our costumes now.

It is going to be a blast.

I'm very, I'm very, very pumped to see all of you.

I've never played in South Dakota before - Yeah.

- So - So this, this is pretty.

- It's gonna be, it's history, it's history.

- And spoiler alert.

We have a partnership with siuxpercon and that's S I U X P E R, Siuxpercon.

So we do have a network here of all of our fellow cosplay Comicon folks.

So this is the time to really show up and show out.

- Let's go, it's going to be dope.

- So our next song, Brighter Day, share with us a little bit about that one.

- Yeah, so Brighter Day is from Chicago Avenue.

So the second half of the two album project that was 38th and Chicago Avenue and Brighter Day is just a song about hope for the future, plans for that next step, where a 38th was more about the anguish, the anger, the pain, Chicago Avenue was more of about the future, the hope and the expectation of greatness to come.

And that's where Brighter Day comes from.

It really, I'm really, I'm really happy to be able to do this is the first time I'll ever have performed this song for anybody.

So you get, you get it.

That's for you guys.

- This is great.

We are making history of all kinds this year and today.

So let's dive into Brighter Day.

- Yeah!

(uplifting music begins) ♪ Yeah, yeah yeah, yeah, woo ♪ (vocalizing) ♪ Oh one day we find our way ♪ ♪ We'll make today ♪ ♪ A brighter day, yeah ♪ ♪ And when we find our strength ♪ ♪ We'll make every day ♪ ♪ A brighter day ♪ ♪ Keep your head up going, keep your head up ♪ ♪ Your life is a victory so don't you ever let up ♪ ♪ Go be who you're going to be ♪ ♪ Woven in the tapestry ♪ ♪ How 'bout we go change this freaking world up ♪ ♪ for the better ♪ ♪ Go and get your chedda ♪ ♪ Go and get your queso ♪ ♪ Hater's gonna hate but we not taking what they say ♪ ♪ Don't feed on their energy ♪ ♪ Focus on your inner peace ♪ ♪ But if they keep pushing ♪ ♪ Introduce them to their energy ♪ ♪ No apologies ♪ ♪ Fight for your freedom ♪ ♪ And you've got a helping hand, if you need one ♪ ♪ You are not alone ♪ ♪ We're together now ♪ ♪ We can make a home ♪ ♪ We can show them how ♪ ♪ That would do more a gather them together ♪ ♪ We got angels around there is hope that we found ♪ ♪ Wipe the sweat from our brow ♪ ♪ Yeah we're making the sound ♪ ♪ Yeah we're making it loud ♪ ♪ Yeah we're making it louder ♪ ♪ We find our way, yeah ♪ ♪ We will ♪ ♪ we'll make today ♪ ♪ A brighter day ♪ ♪ A brighter day, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ When we find our strength ♪ ♪ We'll make every day ♪ ♪ A brighter day, yeah ♪ ♪ Tell your friends they can come to the party ♪ ♪ It don't matter how they look if you love everybody ♪ ♪ Grab a hooptie hoop or show up in a rari ♪ ♪ Long as you ain't playing games ♪ ♪ 'cause this ain't no Atari ♪ ♪ And we know we got not edge that like to lose ♪ ♪ Got a heart up in our chest ♪ ♪ And march with freedom from our shoes ♪ ♪ All the places you will go ♪ ♪ And it's worth it Dr. Seuss ♪ ♪ And you will be rocking ridges ♪ ♪ All you gotta do is choose ♪ ♪ To be just a little better than yesterday ♪ ♪ Ain't nobody's homie perfect ♪ ♪ Don't be that's okay ♪ ♪ Get your hand in my hand ♪ ♪ Keep your soul on the truth ♪ ♪ Keep on taking a stand ♪ ♪ And I'm thinking that you ♪ ♪ Are gonna make it ♪ ♪ And I'm gonna make it too ♪ ♪ When we stand together ♪ ♪ There ain't nothing they can really do ♪ ♪ Dropping down the avenue ♪ ♪ Stronger than the hate in the atmosphere ♪ ♪ Yeah we're gonna make it ♪ ♪ Lifting up our hands because ♪ ♪ Love, love, love, love ♪ ♪ Is here, yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah you know we're here to spread love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ And when we find our way ♪ ♪ We'll make today ♪ ♪ A brighter day ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ When we find our strength ♪ ♪ We'll make every day ♪ ♪ A brighter day ♪ ♪ Oh when we find our way ♪ ♪ We'll make today ♪ ♪ A brighter day ♪ ♪ And when we find our strength ♪ ♪ We'll make everyday a brighter day ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ Oh yeah, oh yeah ♪ ♪ Oh we're gonna fight it ♪ (vocalizing) - Oh my gosh.

Feeling the love through that song and yes, you're a rapper but your voice.

What an amazing voice.

- You're so nice!

Stop it - I mean, wow.

Okay, let's continue this journey of learning of the, you know, the evolution of Nur-D.

So we have a couple of photos that we want to kind of kind of peak into your past.

- Yes.

So the first one we have is of you in concert - Mm yeah and, and tell us a bit about, about this photo.

- Oh my Gosh, yes, yes, yes This was at The Poor House Downtown.

This was such an, a, this is an amazing show honestly.

This is with me and DJ Hayes and we have, we were having a blast this show.

I honestly, I love, I think about this show often.

It's one of wonderful venues downtown in downtown Minneapolis.

It's so cool.

So yes, that I do remember this show.

It was a lot of fun.

- Oh, awesome.

And the next one, we have you at your TEDx event that we discussed earlier.

- Yes, oh my goodness.

Like I said I was so, I was very nervous, you know?

Cause you've seen Ted talks, you've seen TEDx talks.

You're like, oh my goodness.

Like, ah, I'm just some random guy, like, I don't even know.

I'm not going to be one of these like super cool persons.

So I was really excited to be there.

I might've just like shook.

I couldn't shake anybody's hand.

Cause it was like, you know, COVID, if it's all just like running around elbowing people, I was like, oh, what do I need to do?

Where do I need to stand?

Just tell me whatever you want me to do.

And it was a, that was such a powerful experience for me.

I will never forget that.

- [Apolonia] And I believe this one is from your work with Justice Frontline Aide?

- [Nur-D] Yeah, that's me and DJ Hayes actually where we were at the verdict reading for Derek Chava and we were helping car marshall and yeah, it's you're out on the street.

You're right there with everybody.

That's very often or very few times do I actually get a chance to take a picture doing what I'm doing.

It's a lot of like having to be in the moment, but we took a second just to be able to commemorate where we were and like what we were doing when we heard the guilty verdict.

- Yes, I imagine it's not, you know, once you're immersed in everything, it's, there's not a real picture moment.

So I'm glad we have a record of your work.

And so tell us about this next photo.

- Oh yes, that's what I got to be on Sway in the Morning.

Shout out to Sway in the Morning, all the hyenas out there.

Sway is a hip hop icon.

He is a hip hop journalist.

He has been around for ever as you know, like he is one of the hip hop community pillars, consistent, a voice in the community, speaking on to music and culture and all sorts of things.

I been watching him back when he was hosting 106 in the park all the way until now, like the guy has been around.

So like Sway is like, there are five, there maybe 10, five or 10 people that you could say are on that level.

And as far as hip hop journalism and the hip hop entertainment world is concerned and Sway is one of them.

- [Apolonia] It's a big deal.

And I particularly love your made in the nineties T-shirts.

- Yeah, shout out, man.

That's one of my favorite shirts.

- [Apolonia] And what about this next photo?

- [Nur-D] Oh yes, yes.

This was backstage at First Avenue Main room right after we had gotten done headlining the best new band show of 2020.

And who's with me, you see the women with me is that is Lieutenant Sunnie.

One of my closest dearest friends who got to perform with me, she had to come up we did our song Don't Need Nobody, which you can find all over the place.

We did a song together.

She was on there.

It was the most magical night of being able to be in front of all these people, friends, family, strangers, Minnesota, all the lights like First Ave is where, is the house that prince built.

It was, it's a cultural icon.

Anyone wants to come to Minnesota to play, they outta play at First Ave. And we got to headline the main room and it was beautiful.

So we got to the hangout afterwards and we were just talking about our dreams of how we were making it.

It's very funny because this happened.

And then three months later, everything was COVID happened.

So we were backstage like, oh, this is going to be our year 2020.

We're going to be all over the world.

And things worked out a little differently for us.

But honestly we're at a spot now where like Sunnie's in Fairplay entertainment.

I'm hearing from Fairplay entertainment, we're pushing forward to our dreams.

So the dreams aren't done, they just had a year nap.

- Oh gosh.

I think that's the best description of this year that I've ever heard we've all had a year nap.

I will.

So tell us about this last photo.

- [Nur-D] This is my best friend.

This is my best truest friend Rowan and it just shows our weirdness.

You could see my weirdest.

We were dressed up as a Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage from the MWO.

And this is, and we were just being so weird together.

And that's how I am.

That's who you, that what you see the weirdness that you see here and the goofiness that is all the time.

It's not a, it's not an act.

It's not a show.

It is quite literally every day.

And so I just, yeah, this is, this is.

it's so crazy that you have this.

It is amazing to see.

And like they have been able to support me and be so like all of my friends really have been so compassionate and wonderful and just help Nur-D be what it is.

So yeah.

I love this picture.

It is a fun one.

I can do a mean Macho Man Randy Savage impression.

I can do it.

I can do it.

I got it.

- Well, I'm excited to see all the kinds of impressions we're going to get when we see you in person.

So people he's the real deal.

Be ready and dress up.

I want to go ahead and again, thank our sponsors.

So thank you or to our 2021 season presenting sponsors, Sanford health, our episodes sponsor Dan and Arlene Kirby.

And of course the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation, we are grateful to be here grateful for this opportunity and especially to build our community through music.

So Nur-D, tell us about our closing song for this evening.

Glorious.

What is the inspiration behind, behind this music, behind the song?

- Well, there are two major inspirations.

The first one is obviously Bobby Roode, a former NXT champion, former United States champion, former tag team champion, as well as world champion in TNA.

One of my favorite professional wrestlers that are out there, obviously shout out to Bobby Roode, but then it's also about it's the last song on my album Songs about Stuff.

And I think when I made that song, it was just, I wanted to song that would uplift people to say, We're feeling good.

We're feeling great And just to talk about where I've come from, how I got here, like I was just some guy really, I was just some random nerd from Rosemont, Minnesota.

And now I'm here with y'all I'm across the world.

I have people in Australia who listen to me regularly.

Like it is such a amazing feeling and the only word that can fully encapsulate all of that is glorious.

And that's how I feel.

- Awesome.

Friends and family of the Levitt, stand up and dance to Glorious.

♪ Oo, got another jam, I know it ♪ ♪ Gonna let my shows show this ♪ ♪ Little light that I got at the bush ♪ ♪ Yeah it's mine ♪ ♪ Take a look ♪ ♪ You can see if you focus ♪ ♪ Let it shine, let it shine, all day ♪ ♪ Brighter than the haters trying to get in my way ♪ ♪ Brighter than the depression trying to get in my door ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ I think like the antidote ♪ ♪ Imma mess around get my name in the paper ♪ ♪ I don't want your chicken salad ♪ ♪ I need the flavor ♪ ♪ Yeah my baby's trying just a girl she wanna ♪ ♪ I ain't really picking up on all of the drama ♪ ♪ My life is a movie and I just woke up ♪ ♪ All my friends are looking really hot and stuff ♪ ♪ And I hear the devil tryna call my bluff ♪ ♪ But he really aint gotta 'nough ♪ ♪ Cause I'm feeling glorious ♪ ♪ No I won't give in, I won't give in ♪ ♪ No ones gonna take my crown ♪ ♪ Nothings gonna stop me now ♪ ♪ Cause I'm feeling glorious ♪ ♪ I'm about to win, I'm about to win ♪ ♪ Oh we gonna light this town ♪ ♪ Oh they gonna see me now ♪ ♪ 'cause I'm feeling ♪ ♪ good, great, like better than I ever really could ♪ ♪ Explain, a couple years ago ♪ ♪ They didn't know my name ♪ ♪ And now they buying tickets just to see my face ♪ ♪ That is insane ♪ ♪ I can't believe ♪ ♪ That all you pretty people ♪ ♪ Even notice me ♪ ♪ I keep on being elevated constantly ♪ ♪ That's got to be ♪ ♪ The feeling that they told me I would feel ♪ ♪ When I'm living out my dream ♪ ♪ Thanking god every night ♪ ♪ I ain't tripping cause I still got all my life ♪ ♪ Making music for the people they just might ♪ ♪ Turn this fricking city purple when I die.

♪ ♪ And when I go ♪ ♪ If I write more ♪ ♪ Keeping Minnesota nice ♪ ♪ What I fight for ♪ ♪ All the people who believed in what I'm dreaming of ♪ ♪ I'm a do it I'm a open up the door ♪ ♪ Cause I'm feeling glorious ♪ ♪ And I won't give in, no I won't give in ♪ ♪ No ones gonna take my crown ♪ ♪ No ones gonna stop me now ♪ ♪ Cause I'm feeling glorious ♪ ♪ And I'm about to win, I'm bout to win ♪ ♪ Oh I'm gonna light this town ♪ ♪ Where you gonna send me now ♪ ♪ Cause I'm feeling ♪ ♪ This is what you really want, yeah ♪ ♪ This is what you really want, yeah ♪ ♪ Souls how you feeling ♪ (cheers) Because you wanted this, I need you to give me the biggest glorious you have when we come back into it.

Put your hands to the sky like a spirit bomb we're in heaven crash onto this whole city, you ready?

(cheers) ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ I'm feeling glorious ♪ ♪ I won't give in ♪ ♪ I won't give in ♪ ♪ No ones gonna take my crown ♪ ♪ No ones gonna stop me now ♪ ♪ Cause I'm feeling glorious ♪ ♪ And I bout to win ♪ ♪ I'm bout to win ♪ ♪ Gonna go and light this town ♪ ♪ Boy you gotta send me now ♪ ♪ Cause I'm feeling glorious ♪ (Cheers) Thank you all so much!

- Oh gosh, I love that song so much.

That's the one.

Yes.

Hit replay repeat, repeat.

- Yes, go listen, take it.

Learn the words so when I come over, you can do it with me.

You can do the thing.

- Yes.

Glorious.

Well, thank you so very much for spending time with us, your time, your heart, your talent, your lyrics, your mission, your advocacy, the love.

So Saturday, July 17th, Sioux Falls, we are welcoming Nur-D Come with your cosplay join Siuxpercon and we are going to rock it out.

I want again thank our sponsors Sanford health, Dan and Arlene Kirby, the meet the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation, Nur-D you're amazing.

Friends and family of the Levitt.

I'm your host Apolonia Davalos I love you.

Good night.

(cheering)