The Nor*Kal Hustle

Rapper Nor*Kal (real name: Nolan Robinson) is not one to sit idly by and wait for his big break to happen. He gets out on the road every day, setting up in front of stores from Redding to Yuba City to promote his and other local artists’ music. Nor*Kal has been making music since he was a teenager and started slinging CDs on the streets (the “independent hustle,” he calls it) four years ago. Go to www.reverbnation.com/norkal32 to check out his EP, Hear Me Out, and to watch a video of his opening slot for Snoop Dogg at The Senator Theatre.

Do you have a “day job”

This is my day job. If I don’t hustle, I don’t eat.

How many CDs do you sell a day?

It depends on a lot of things—the spot, the city, the time of the month. If it’s the first week of the month, I can sell 20 to 50 CDs a day. I think my record is about 80 in one day. This spot [outside 7-Eleven at First and Main streets] is pretty mixed. The college kids are really friendly, and interested, but they ain’t got no money.

What are some of the best places?

The shopping center on Nord can be cool, and there are some other good places in Chico. You can never tell, sometimes you get a hot spot in Gridley, Oroville, just about anywhere.

How would you describe your music?

Sometimes it’s fun, sometimes it’s sad; it covers a broad range. It’s truthful and cuts to the core. Nor*Kal is a well-rounded artist. I can do anything.

Today you have NAJAD compilation CDs … is NAJAD a music label?

It means “no attachments just a dream.” It’s not a label, but a group of musicians and other artists working together, helping each other out. It’s not just hip hop either, but all kinds of music. You can go to najadgeneration.com and check out what it’s all about.

In your opinion, does Chico have a good rap/hip-hop scene?

There’s some really talented artists around here, but they don’t get enough support, particularly from the radio stations. All the greats, from back in the day until now, only got big after they had a lot of local radio play to get established. So I urge all the local radio stations to please, please support your local artists.