Written by Imani Wj Wright
Some artists become our favorites- but why? Is it purely the sonic quality of their music? Or does something deeper take hold? Surely, there are singers with more range, lyricists with sharper bars, instrumentalists with more technical prowess. Yet somehow, those things fade when we connect on a more visceral level with a creator. When we are drawn in by what only they can offer, the experience becomes nearly existential, personal even. It’s as if they hold a mirror to parts of ourselves we didn’t know were waiting to be seen.
SwanoDown had the opportunity to speak with Nerdi — a rising artist from the Midwest whose sound effortlessly transcends regional boundaries.
One of the first records I heard from Nerdi was “Sunday Master.” I was in the car with my girlfriend when it came on, and instantly, we both connected with it. The instrumentation was mellow, engaging, and subtly romantic. It was engineered with care, clean but not over polished. That balance gave the track a warm, lived-in feeling that stayed with us for the rest of the drive.
Then came Nerdi’s opening lines, referring to a woman being “fine” not just for her looks, but for her “heart, and mind.” It struck me: you can’t falsify that kind of sincerity. Nerdi’s authenticity bleeds through his music. He is unapologetically himself — always.
That same authenticity radiates when speaking with him. His laid back presence might not immediately reveal the depth of his artistry. But as the conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that Nerdi is constantly creating, processing, and innovating.
“I don’t really stick to trends,” Nerdi told us. “I don’t really rap too much or sing too much about things that aren’t me. I try to keep it humble on my end, and also genuine.”
He credits artists like J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar for influencing that mindset, shaping his belief in honest storytelling over performative content.
But Nerdi’s perspective goes even further. He doesn’t just see his listeners as fans, he sees them as comrades.
“I’m trying to be that familiarity with everybody,” he explained. “I’m just another person at the end of the day. The impressions I leave in each song are really just me thinking: What would my neighbor go through? What would he like? That usually relates to everyone else around that neighbor. I just try to be more like people.”
At his core, Nerdi wants his audience to know one thing above all else: he is free. No matter the obstacle, no matter the noise around him, he’s grounded in who he is.
“It’s a mindset, too,” he said with a smile. “When I approach anything, no matter what, I’m going to be me at the end of the day. I don’t let a lot of things get to me. I channel good energy...”
Stay up to date with Nerdi HERE.
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