C.Nichole on Bridging The Gap Between Africa & The African Diaspora

Leaders are born out of strife. C.Nichole, a singer-songwriter, published author, and non-profit founder, decided to devote her creativity to changing the mindsets of how Pan Africa is viewed. Pan Africa includes people of African descent all over the world. 

Texas-born C.Nichole teamed up with Jamaican producer GHSTKNTE to create the genre: Tribal Trill, which is Southern American beats with African grooves and percussion. Not being a fan of the repetition of songs about killing, sex, and drugs by people of African descent, C.Nichole writes Pan African history into songs while also giving listeners something they can vibe to. 

Paying homage to Pan African Think Tank, the non-profit she founded, C.Nichole sees the music project as a way to make Pan Africa see their worth, be proud, and push themselves forward in a positive way. 

With C.Nichole still being in her 20's, she released her first album, "Coup d'Etat" in 2014 under her genre of Urban Pop and several EP's after that. She has authored two books, "American Presidential Parties: Their Relevance to People of African Descent" and "The Reign: Africa". 

Her travels to 90+ countries led her to become a Pan-Africanist, citing her non-profit's mission to bridge the gap between Africa and the African Diaspora through Pan African forums that assist with research as a means to collectively advocate. 

Catch up with C. Nichole below to learn more about her vision of Tribal Trill, how she's using her new single "GHETTO" to dispel stereotypes surrounding the culture and her mission of bridging the gap between Africa and the African Diaspora. Right now and only on Hype Off Life 👊🏾

Thanks for your time! As a multi-talented artist and non-profit owner, how do you manage so many projects and creative ventures?

Thank you for having me. I plan out my days based on what projects are coming up sooner. I devote a single day, or sometimes a week to each project. I have started to take a step back to come to the realization that eventually I know I'm going to have to hand more responsibilities over to others. But, since it's still a pandemic going on, I still have enough time because I'm traveling less. But all in all I have 3 calendars that I look at daily, and I brainstorm my schedule for the following week every Friday or Saturday. 

Tell us more about the genre you created with GHSTKNTE, Tribal Trill.

I'm from Texas and have a affinity for Southern beats, hard hitting beats. The word "Trill" is very well known in Texas so that's where the "Trill" part in Tribal Trill comes from. Drums come from Africa which is already in music anyhow, but I also wanted to incorporate more of the tribal drums that aren't heard in Western music as much, that's where the "Tribal" in Tribal Trill comes from.

I started looking for producers in Summer of 2019 because I knew it would be a long journey to find someone that would understand what I was wanting. I was wanting Southern beats with African grooves and percussion. I spoke to producers in North America, Europe and Africa, but finally settled on GHSTKNTE who is out of Jamaica.

He really was a perfect match because Jamaica has a vast appreciation for Africa, but they also listen to a lot of American music seeing that they aren't too far geographically from Southern America. I would tell him the sound, vibe and groove that I wanted and he would make it happen. I believe out of all the beats he made for me, I only sent back one. I was just a good partnership.

You've extensively traveled the world, visiting over 90+ countries. What similarities have you noticed between all of them?

I've noticed that every country thinks their problems are so unique. Borders have caused a divide within humanity. We really would all be better off working together. It's a façade to make it seem that we should be against each other so the rich stay rich. That's really all it boils down to. 

Why do you feel it's important to bridge the gap between Africa and the African Diaspora?

Outsiders and media has caused a divided between people of African descent all over the world. Africans and the African Diaspora have been pitted against one another. There are over 1 billion people of African descent all over the world and yet, colonial powers want to treat us as if we're at the bottom of the totem pole. It's important to bridge the gap so we can become one and positively use all the power that we have in terms of numbers (population) and resources that we collectively bring to the table. 

So, you have a new single, "GHETTO" which explores false stereotypes regarding our culture. What inspired you to write the song?

I mentor elementary/primary school kids, I have teenage family members and I hear the conversations. The word "Ghetto" is thrown around too freely. I've heard white people just use it as such in conversations. The definition of Ghetto is: a part of a city, especially a slum area, occupied by a minority group or groups. It has nothing to do with a whole culture but yet it's placed on a whole culture, to the point that we ourselves start using the word to define ourselves.

And what's ludicrous is when white people profit off our culture in magazines and it's trendy via social media, it's no longer "ghetto", it's just the popular thing to do. I wrote "GHETTO" with the hopes that it will change mindsets. It will allow people of African descent to see that the masses can't diminish our culture just because they aren't apart of it, or simply because they don't understand it. Be strong, have pride and love your culture. There's nothing ghetto about it.

What moved you to want to change the mindsets of how Pan Africa is viewed?

I didn't care for the longest. All I cared about was making sure my small community was good and that's all that mattered. I went to a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and learned that the kids weren't being taught history and world geography. That was a problem seeing that 40% of all slaves during the Transatlantic Slave Trade went to Brazil.

I started thinking that maybe we can't come together because everyone doesn't know who they are. Maybe things are being viewed in a negative aspect because they're simply ignorant to the situation. So, everything that I now do is to educate the masses. Education is how you change mindsets, and that's the only way I can assist in changing in how Pan Africa is viewed.

What advice do you have for others wanting to tap in with their roots?

Travel back to the continent of Africa, but also travel to another continent or country to interact with others within the African Diaspora. That's not feasible for everyone so the other option would be to read a book from someone native to certain countries. Find good documentaries made by natives (not outsiders coming in to tell someone else's story). But if you want some one-on-one interaction, find organizations and events (zoom or social distancing events) that tap into Africa. I reside in Dallas, TX but I know I've seen Pan African events, Nigerian events, Ethiopian events, etc. in the city. Just buy a ticket, some are free, and get immersed in the culture. 

You can tap in with me on all socials @MsCNichole, but also my non-profit @PanAfricanTT and http://PanAfricanTT.org to check out what we're doing, learn some things, buy some merch and donate. Much love as always. Again, thank you for having me.