Nick Brooks—an award-winning author, filmmaker, and musician whose storytelling spans literature, film, television, and music! Nick’s upcoming book, “Up in Smoke” is perfect for fans of Karen McManus and The Hate U Give, this edge-of-your-seat thriller from the author of the Promise Boys is a gripping, coming-of-age novel that follows the journey of a young man, caught between the weight of his family’s legacy and his own desire to carve a different path. Set in the heart of Washington, DC, the story explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the complicated intersection of family and ambition. It’s a tale of resilience, ambition, and the search for freedom, set against the backdrop of a city that is as complex as the characters within it.
As of late, 360 MAGAZINE‘s Vaughn Lowery had an opportunity to interview this Renaissance man.
• My surrogate father lives on the Gold Coast in NW DC; however, I grew up inside the city of Detroit. How was your upbringing, any siblings, what side of town did you reside, and how has it helped shape you into the hu/man you have become?
I grew up in Northeast DC in the late ‘90s, early 2000s—so the city was still very much feeling the effects of the crack epidemic. Still is, honestly. My mom remarried when I was about 9 and had three more kids—my little sisters—so I was a very independent kid. My people had a lot going on. I was outside a lot, learning how to navigate a city like DC. My upbringing definitely taught me how to hustle, how to be nimble, how to be resourceful, and how to be relentless.
• Do you recall the date, time, and age when you realized you were a multi-hyphenated talent?
Yeah—yesterday. Lol. The thing about being a multi-hyphenate is it’s hard to get people to take you seriously in any one thing. They think you’re just throwing sh*t at the wall, seeing what sticks. Because of that, you start to take yourself less seriously—develop imposter syndrome. You start thinking, maybe I’m not good at anything. But the more I elevate in all the different things I do, the more confidence I get. I’m honestly still not convinced I’m a rapper—but I’m coming around.
• How important was it for you to graduate from USC film school in 2020? Any regrets?
The single most important thing I’ve done for my career. No regrets whatsoever.
• When were you bitten by the rap bug? Is there a scenario that you can speak to?
I vividly remember being captivated by rap around 5, listening to DMX’s It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot with my dad. After that, I would print out lyrics, copy them, and study them. I started writing around 14 and recorded my first song at 15. I remember leaving the studio, headed down Georgia Ave, putting on my headphones, and listening to what I just recorded. Hearing my voice back over the music was intoxicating. I’ve been hooked ever since.
• A ton of your prose prods and provokes your readers. Was this intentional? Are any of your titles loosely based on actual events?
For sure. You want your readers—or your audience in general—to react. To feel something. To have a thought, an emotion, a response. That’s the goal: engagement. It’s absolutely intentional. I wouldn’t say any of the stories are even loosely based on real events, but like all art, they’re inspired by the world around me.
• Many of your books have garnered attention from reputable entities. Did you always foresee this when you began your journey?
Not exactly—but it was always the goal. Anything I do, I want to do it at the highest level. Maybe that’s because I’ve always been searching for the kind of validation multi-hyphenates rarely get.
• Is there anything we haven’t mentioned that you’d like to shed light on?
Go preorder Up In Smoke! Go stream the album. Tap in with me and the journey—I’m doing a lot of cool stuff. I hope you take something away from the art. Thank you in advance.
• At this very moment, if you gave yourself permission to affirm yourself while looking in the mirror, what would you proclaim?
I am enough.