My name is NightmareXX, a 17-year-old rapper and rockstar hailing from Broward County. I’ve been grinding in the underground scene, aiming to reach people with my music the way legends before me have. The first time music really hit me was when I listened to Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti. Their sound and vibe shaped how I present myself and my music.
Inspirations
Today, I draw inspiration from artists like Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, Sid Shyne, and others.
Starting Out
I first got into music back when I was in the 6th grade. I was just a kid, recording rough tracks on Audacity with no autotune, just raw vocals. My first “album” came out of that era, though it wasn’t much more than a collection of tracks. Around the pre-COVID days, I started dabbling in sped-up music and “nightcore” styles, spending hours on my computer because there wasn’t much else to do.
Learning the Craft
I owe a lot to collectives like Novagang, Prblm, osquinn, and especially Noki from Helix Tears. Noki noticed that my tracks were being held back by the software I was using and took the time to teach me how to use FL Studio over private calls on Discord. That support helped me evolve from using basic plugins to creating tracks with a real professional sound. As COVID hit, I spent even more time refining my skills, turning my rough recordings into something much closer to a finished product. My obsession with speeding up songs persisted, even though not everyone was a fan. For me, a song didn’t feel complete without that energy boost.
The Drive to Keep Going
In 2021, I started taking music seriously. My passion deepened after attending Playboi Carti’s Narcissist tour and seeing the crowd go wild. It solidified my desire to perform and change lives with my music. I attended more shows, including Ken Car$on’s in Wynwood, which further fueled my dedication. That year, I started getting studio time, recognition, and better at crafting songs. Performing became my dream.
Building Connections
Later that year, I was invited to model at a fashion show for a brand called Rei13, where I met some cool people like Kid Xeno and Happi. On June 25th, I held my first solo show at a studio in Miami, which sold out with 50 people—a huge crowd for me at the time. That was just the beginning. I kept going to more shows, making more connections, and eventually started performing monthly, even opening for artists like Chris King, Wifisfuneral, and almost Diego Money. Playing at venues like The Joint of Miami, where rap icons like Destroy Lonely and BabySantana had performed, was surreal.
Studio Time
Recently, I’ve been spending more time in the studio, releasing my first professionally made song, “PIGEON.” It felt strange at first, being so used to recording at home, but the clarity and quality were worth it. Getting comfortable with studio sessions has been one of the best moves I’ve made. Rivas, who engineered many of my tracks, helped shape my sound.
Conclusion
I recently collaborated with my childhood friend T2i on a beat from Xavierso. My first experimental album in 2022, “Stage Fright,” reflected my early anxiety about performing. Despite only getting about eight plays on SoundCloud, I was proud of it. Rage beats with high energy felt like the perfect sound for me. My journey has taught me to always stay true to myself, set my own trends, and never let anyone change who I am. One day, people will know my name.
