By C Fraz

Greg Nice is one of the most distinct voices in Hip-Hop history. For 25 years, the heralded B-Boy and New York native remains loyal to both City and craft. Although he has been all over the world, he still resides in New York City,where he was born, raised and continues to make it funky for you.

Planet Ill will give you a chance to reflect on Greg’s point of view as a tenured artist and music industry professional, and hip you to his new solo project. Greg Nice’s flow has survived several musical eras, from vinyl to the cassette single and CD, on to the new millennium download.

So, let’s take it back to the old school, back to the essence. When Hip-Hop was taking the nation by storm.

Before Def Jam and other labels came to be, artists had to fend for themselves. They didn’t know how to shop a deal to an A&R. There weren’t even personal computers, much less YouTube. “Dope On a Rope” was Greg’s first solo joint. Shortly after that, Lance Romance introduced him to Smooth B. They were kids during the era made popular by T La Rock, Grandmaster Flash, The Sugarhill Gang, Spooney Gee and the Treacherous 3, when hungry, aspiring artists would hustle up their own money, press up records, put them on a dolly and make it happen.

“I would take the subway to stores uptown, downtown, Brooklyn and Queens,” Greg reminisces. “Hi, I’m Greg Nice.” There were times when store owner wouldn’t know who he was, but they would take a few pieces on consignment “We came from that era.” He says with pride.

Nice and Smooth were signed to Sleeping Bag /Fresh Records. Following the success of their first  project they went to Def Jam. After their last Album on Divine Mills /WEA the group decided to part ways and work on solo projects.

Greg’s promotional instinct and street credibility allowed him release several independent solo hits. The first was “Set It Off,” with the immortal hook Let’s Take It Back to the Old School…, which is still heard today on records in clubs around the world. Other lines from his exist on other club anthems too, like It’s Gettin’ Hot in Here and Ladies Let Ya Body Flow. That’s why DJ’s, Hip-Hop heads and avid club goers love his flow.

When asked how he keeps his mojo, Greg replied “I got that spunk, I know that I have been fortunate and blessed.” “A lot of my peers are not capable of doing this at this time,” he continues “It’s like I say in one of my songs, I praise the Lord and keep the faith.” It’s his spiritual essence that allows him to stay alive.

Perhaps you already know this. In this high-tech world, whatever you want to know about an entertainer is just a click away. Facebook and Twitter allow you to communicate with your favorite entertainer on a personal level. With the internet, artist information and history are at your immediate disposal. All you have to do is research.

Greg’s solo Album, Popcycle is now fresh on the scene.  The album is a pulsating montage of party hits and B-Boy tracks, all of which have Greg’s signature flavor. “I wanted to work with people that I hadn’t worked with,” Greg explains. Todd Terry mixed down the album, which includes a song he produced that features Tony Yayo. Todd also did “That’s What’s Up,” “Can’t Stand Us” and co-produced “Kiss U There.”

Another song on the album is called “Las Vegas,” produced by Mighty Vic and proudly represents Sin City. The other 12 songs flirt with music lovers and appeal to a variety of musical tastes; a blend of Hip-Hop on a multi-cultural level. There are fly tracks from Chew Fu and the Disco Fries. There is also a Dub Step track by Aaron LaCreate that features Flava Flav.

“There were so many producers I could have worked with,” Greg states. “Unfortunately you could only put so many songs on one album.” Recently, the video for the single “Get It, Get It” was shot. Produced by Phat Kat Vega, the video is directed by Neph E Neph aka “The Last American DJ,” who has directed videos for Red Café, Jim Jones and Dj Webstar. This is the first time he was able to work with a veteran of Greg Nice’s stature. “Once Greg played me the record, it was easy for me to come up with a concept,” Neph states. “I grew up a Fan.”

The video chronicles Greg’s journey through different eras of Hip-Hop history. “I made it more dancier and more pop,” Greg asserts. “But, it has a Greg Nice spirit. It’s just good music.

Without a doubt, you will hear another Nice and Smooth record. Until then, they continue to do shows together. You can be sure that Greg Nice will continue to work hard for his royalities. He will stay always stay deeply rooted in New York City.

“I am here due the fact that my moms gave birth to me here.” he proudly states. “I’m surrounded by different nationalities and cultures. That’s the major reason why I am here today. I’ve been around the world but I know now that I couldn’t give this City up.”

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