If you’re done downplaying who you are, Nerva’s got a track for you.
His latest hip-hop release, “Light The Whole Town Up,” is a song all about shining so bright it squashes any shade thrown your way.
The track comes off his album Kill Nerva Pt. 4. It’s a song that rides a minimalistic wave, bringing in catchy bars, a harmonious beat, and those culturally fresh and grounded elements of trap. The beat gives Nerva’s words the space they need, and he doesn’t waste a line.
Nerva is passionate about letting his inner light shine, no matter who’s trying to snuff it out—confidence and ferocity can easily be felt in his every word.
“Light The Whole Town Up” is hip-hop with a purpose, yet it’s still loaded with that braggadocio flair, reminding you Nerva’s not here to dim his light for anyone, with lyrics like, “Shine so bright I can scorch demons with ease / Ima shine bright till it’s my time to leave.”
Nerva invites his listeners in “Light The Whole Town Up” to rise above the noise and radiate unapologetically. In a world constantly pushing us to fit in, Nerva stands firm in the power of self-assurance, embracing the strength of knowing who you are, showing up fully, and doing it with confidence.
Rooted in a strong sense of faith, Nerva brings authenticity and resilience to every track, and we can’t wait to see what experiences and wisdom he draws from next.
It’s great to have you with us, Nerva, to celebrate the release of “Light The Whole Town Up.” For those who are new to your music, how would you describe your sound and the message you want to convey through it?
I appreciate the opportunity to express myself on your platform, and I am elated to know new listeners will be introduced to my music! If I were to describe my sound, it would be “variational.” My sound cannot be contained in a box.
The songs I write, and the beats I produce can go from upbeat, hype, and energetic with motivational and feel-good lyrics to soothing, reflective, intense, heartfelt, and thought-provoking lyrics with melodic sounds.
Overall, my music can be considered conscious music that serves as a great light in the dark. The message that I am trying to convey through my music is, “For me to live, the old me must die.”
Your lyrics in “Light The Whole Town Up” strongly highlight staying true to yourself. Has there ever been a moment in your journey where you found that to be challenging for yourself?
Truly, I appreciate this question! With the desire to be accepted in society or in our communities, it is extremely challenging to seek validation outside of oneself while receiving rejection as a reward. Staying true to myself is something I had to grow into because I struggled with fitting in with the crowd since I was a young child.
I’m finally coming to the realization that even if I choose to fake the funk to fit in, someone is going to find something about me they don’t like. Even if I did everything right to please everyone, someone is going to hate me or talk bad about me. Finally, I’m free! Pleasing people is no longer the goal. The main objective in my scope is to please the Most High (Galatians 1:10). As I seek the Most High and aim to please Him, everything seems to work out how it should (Matthew 6:33) — And I have much more peace.
With lines like “Shine so bright I can scorch demons with ease,” you emphasize strength in the face of negativity. How do you personally stay focused on your path despite outside pressures?
As long as I lived, positivity never ceased to rule over negativity. I’ve realized that outside pressures should never outweigh the pressure that I carry within. I’ve come this far, overcoming many pressures and negative circumstances, so I can only believe that I am the pressure to the pressure coming my way.
Faith seems to be a big part of your identity. How has your faith shaped not just your music but also the way you live day to day?
My faith gives me the confidence to go further than my eyes can see. Where fear or doubt can keep one stagnant or in disbelief of their greatness within, my faith pushes me to trust in the Most High abilities to take me beyond my emotions or human limitations.
What does success mean to you now compared to when you first started making music? Has your perspective shifted as you’ve gained more experience?
Surely, success can be defined in many different ways, depending on one’s heart desires. I believe that when I began making music, I defined success as being the greatest entertainer or everyone who heard and loved my craft.
Today, success for me is knowing that when listeners hear my craft, their spirit is rejuvenated, and their soul is edified. My perspective has definitely shifted as I gained more experience because I understand the power behind words to either heal or destroy (life and death are in the power of the tongue).