Nice & Smooth and Funky
"It's the P.O.G. coming from West Phil, and it's the Fatnice from the planet go Ill." Chances are that you have heard that numerous times. I guess I can't speak for everyone, but I know I have! I am pleased to introduce to you the Fatnice that is from the planet home Earth, exact location being Chicago, Illinois. Born and raised in Chi-town, Nice became exposed to Hip Hop through his Aunt who is a DJ. "From the moment she played The Message, it was on." When listening to Hip Hop, Nice felt like that was what he was destined to do. His love escalated to form into his first group called Def Boys, Inc. in junior high school. "My name was Derek D. I rhymed while my boy beat boxed." That was the first of many groups that Nice was ble ssed to be a part of. As he battled his way around the way and within the Hip Hop circuit of Chicago, he shuffled through a few groups, and had the opportunity to get down on a various array of mixtapes. "I wasn't concerned about selling records; I just wanted to make music." Music wasn't Nice's only focus. With the combination of his grandmother's love and his quest to not fall victim to the violence of the infamous Chicago gangs, Nice accepted a football scholarship to Clark Atlanta University and majored in psychology. While in Atlanta, he battled here and there, but education was key. "I was definitely on my study jawn all throughout school."

After graduating college, Nice journeyed to South Africa for six months to participate in a family development project. Little did he know that experience would lead him to find a home in Philadelphia. After his stint in South Africa, he had every intention of returning to Atlanta. Instead of going back to the ATL some of his colleagues convinced him to check out the masters program at The University of Pennsylvania. This is where the introduction to a seven (currently nine) man crew called Prophets of the Ghetto (P.O.G.) began. On his road to gaining his master's degree at Penn, Nice met and befriended Gamez, a producer from the West Philadelphia crew. "He and I actually got into a deep discussion about Hip Hop in class, and then he invited me out to witness the Prophets in action." Fatnice took up the offer, and started to creatively build with the brothers of P.O.G. "Before I officially became part of the group, I already felt like a member." And with his three sisters and grandmother back in Chicago, P.O.G gave him a sense of family here in Philadelphia. The rest they say is history, or in this case, history in the making.

Brilliantly Blessed
I think it's important to give props and love to educated brothers, so I want to make note that Nice obtained his masters degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Ivy League man did the damn thing! In addition to holding down a government job, Fatnice continued to thrive as a member of P.O.G. As a member of Prophets Of The Ghetto he has opened up for industry heavyweights such as Public Enemy, KRS-ONE and Philly's own Grand Agent. "P.O.G. is a family. We have good times, and are supportive of each other in the bad times. They are like the brothers I never had."

All day Fatnice puts his education to use tackling issues that face families in the urban community, but music and his fellow group members are his therapy to make it through the inner city madness. Not only does he have the support of the other Prophets, he continues to have the support of his Windy City roots where it all started. Family serves as the main inspiration in his life. "My grandmother encouraged me to do what I wanted to do and had faith in me from day one. She is the reason why I turned out the way I did." Another man he feels pushes for his individual and group success is Damon Williams of the Philadelphia Daily News. "He is the truth, and one of the people that I really respect." Nice has been given the responsibility of deprogramming and un-training the masses that have been hypnotized by television and radio. "There is no balance in those two outlets." In addition to P.O.G., Nice has plans to release a solo album, and an album with a sub-group of P.O.G called 84, which also includes Aul Purpis and DJ Dice. He also has plans to release a children's Hip Hop book in collaboration with Purp. If you are one of the adoring fans of P.O.G, you've also seen Nice get down on the spoken word and singing tip. "I'm versatile. Audiences only witness a portion of what I'm capable of doing, but soon they'll know."

Soul Survivor
There are a few misconceptions about Fatnice; one being that he is strictly a righteous, dashiki wearing emcee. While that is a big part of his persona and character, there is more to him. "I'm not just one way, I do have guilty pleasures." Y'all, I tried to get these guilty pleasures out of him, and damn, I couldn't do it! Like Purp, Nice's words and presence intimidate some members of the Hip Hop community. As a result, they're nervous and hesitant to start a conversation with him. Let me tell you, there is nothing to be scared about. Fatnice is a deep brother with a good heart, and a huge silly side. Nice extends his music and gifts to people from all walks of life. It's his connection to the world, and he encourages people to share in the futur istic rhymes and lyrics that he spits. "I'm Derek and unlike anyone else in this world." He's a smart man that takes joy in life's simple things. If you listen to his lyrics closely, you may just learn something. "I want the people to be patient, because trust me when I say, P.O.G is coming. Rap is something I do, but Hip Hop is my way of life."

prophetsoftheghetto.com

Article by Deesha Dyer
PhillyHipHop.com Columnist
May, 2003