His name as a performer was originally Novelist. Today, his acronym N.I.C.E. stands for Novelist Is Constantly Evolving.
Emcee N.I.C.E. defines his 14-song album, as “a celebration of Christ with a blend of scripture and creative metaphors that give the listener spiritual food for thought.” The lead single, “I Got Angels,” soars on a sample of “Angels” by Gospel Hall of Famer Richard Smallwood who endorses N.I.C.E.’s song 100%, enthusing, “It will go places that I never could have envisioned…that’s just how God is.” Anchored by Sam Peezy’s Trap-inspired beat, N.I.C.E. kicks a bold opening statement, in a song assuring that no matter how hard the devil tries to sabotage us, angels keep us out of harm’s way.
As amazing as the song, are the ways N.I.C.E. was able to muscle market it to chart-topping Billboard sales and airplay charts as the #1 Top Gospel Albums, #1 Gospel Album Sales, #1 Hot Single Sales, and #1 Digital Song Sales,
and rise fast on fourteen other charts measuring independent albums, Christian songs, R&B/Hip Hop albums, and emerging and current artists, with independent ingenuity and digital, direct-to-consumer strategies. Cutting out the middle man, N.I.C.E. turned loose a digital street team that created an all-natural buzz – within online communities and among tastemakers – based solely on the music, sending his song to the top of the charts and bypassing streaming all the while stymieing the major label competition at large.
Another anomaly concerning N.I.C.E.’s PRAISE album is that he recorded all 14 songs (12 songs plus 2 remixes) in just two days, commanding the studio totally prepared and working diligently with music producers Sam Peezy, DJ Fat Jack, Richard Smallwood, Steven Ford and ULP Productionz, along with executive producers Frank DeRozan, Jack “De’Jon” Clark, BJ Luster and Tally. The January-slated second single, “Alright” (featuring guest singers Stripped & Rahkua) rolls on a replayed guitar rift lifted from jazz guitar giant Wes Montgomery and is all about giving God the glory as He cloaks us throughout these chaotic sociopolitical times. “Father, Father” (featuring Alonda Rich) is him telling his story, as he recalls the time he faced physical, mental and emotional adversities that almost caused him to lose sight of the power of God.