Adding to a growing stable of more than capable lyricists out of Weld County, 'C-Nile' first talked about his passion for making music.
"Music for me is an escape.
"It's a way for me to get a deeper perspective of the reality that is. What I live. It's a way to get away from the bullshit, put it to a tune and release it without having any kind of stress that you walk around with.
"I'm inspired by hip-hop as a culture."
Although 'C-Nile' now immerses himself in writing lyrics, dropping CD's, and spittin in front of packed clubs across the state, his urban music roots go back much further.
"I've been performing all my life.
"I started off as a 'B-Boy' dancing in talent shows and break dancing when I was little. I've been used to the stage from all the way back in the second grade when I was up there pop-locking, doing my thing.
"After the 'B-Boying' and dancing, I was brought into MC'ing by some of my friends and people I met on my paths in life as a youngster. That was a release for us because there was no way to hear this type of music back then so you had to make your own beats.
"I'd hear people beating on the walls across the way, making beats, just spitting. I was inspired by that. I love that shit."
As for the name 'C-Nile Da Vincci', even that has it's own story.
"I got my name from my boy Robert Adams. He put me up on some freestyles and I couldn't just use my real name so he gave me the name C-Nile because I always came with different styles.
"Sometimes it would come fast, sometimes it would come slow, always at different angles. Most of these cats now days come the same way every time.
"I picked up the name 'Da Vincci' from some people when I was out of state doing some artwork and some other things I do. They were like man, you're a well rounded artist."
'C-Nile' was a contributor to one of the bigger local albums to hit the streets recently in 'Colorado Connection Vol. 1'.
For those that follow and support the local rap scene and it's artists, it's a must have. It includes appearances by the likes of 'Cientifik', 'Jaize VanCrump', 'Ray Clean', and 'Julox'. Volume 2 is on the way.
"Me and 'Cientifik' pretty much went beat for beat on that one. I had some beats that I had collected from other producers both in and out of state. 'Cientifik' had some other artists he was working with on it also.
"I like to work with various producers to keep that versatility. I like to go outside and get different sounds from different artists."
And in a highly competitive niche market that's growing everyday, how does an artist get that much needed street credibility?
"By putting it in on the underground clubs and open mics, getting your name out there, putting together fliers. Once you have a stage presence about yourself, once you're over those butterflies, that's when you can step to the bigger venues.
"Once you earn that stripe and you have your foot in, you can sit back and concentrate on the music."
As we talked about the rush of performing on stage, 'Da Vincci' made a comparison to MMA in the natural high that it provides.
"There's nothing out there in my eyes that gives you that type of high, that type of feeling as when I'm on stage rocking a mic. I'm at home. That's where I'm supposed to be at.
"On stage you have to be conditioned like an MMA fighter. The studio, that's my gym. That's where I train at. Just like a fighter, you're in the back, you're pacing, getting amped up."
As for the Colorado rap scene and it's various artists, 'Da Vincci' spoke candidly about both the good and bad that he sees.
"It has it's own sound and it's growing. I have love and respect for everybody that's doing this shit, everybody that puts on shows, people that come with their original sound and beats but it's starting to get saturated with some gay shit. Watered down, main-street, commercialized hip-hop."
When it comes to the enjoyment of watching fights, the Colorado native credits his Grandfather and Father for this.
"I've always had a love for combat sports. I remember growing up watching all of Mike Tyson's fights like the ones against Holyfield. I've always liked watching the old school matches with Ali, Frazier, Sugar Ray, Rocky Marciano. All the greats.
"I've been into boxing since I was little because my grandfather was a boxer and a boxing coach in the Air Force when I was growing up. My dad was also into boxing and even had me in wrestling but I'm not big on some dude crawling all over me.
"I wanted to bang. I wanted to stand up and fight. I got kicked out of wrestling because I punched some kid on the mat. I respect the ground game and the talent BJJ takes but I like to take it to the head."
It looks to be a busy summer as 'Da Vincci' has a much anticipated solo album on the way in addition to many shows and videos on tap.
And for those days when it's more of a struggle than anything else, 'Da Vincci' ended the conversation with some words of wisdom for the masses.
"Success is within reach. With hard work and dedication, anything is possible."
'C-Nile' wanted to give a shout out and props to Greeley's Ryan Martinez. A close friend who fans have seen climb the ranks of the local MMA shows all the way to 'Strikeforce'.
You can stay up with 'Da Vincci' and also check out some of his cuts by visiting www.reverbnation.com/cniledavincci and www.facebook.com/cniledavincci.
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See you at the fights!
