Pro Era is one of the most important DIY movements to emerge out of New York’s baren Hip Hop scene this decade. There isn’t a better example than the rise of Joey Bada$$ and B4.DA.$$’s success last year. As other members like Kirk Knight and CJ Fly find their lane, Pro Era member Nyck Caution recently stepped up with the recent release of his debut mixtape Disguise The Limit earlier this month. So far, the reception has been fairly positive with critics. HipHopDX contributor Jason Bisnoff said the project “will leave those in tune with the Brooklyn crew eager for the next drop.” In time, the hungry upstart has a good shot of reaching the status of his Pro Era brethren.
Making the phone rounds in promotion of Disguise The Limit, Caution discusses stepping his lyrical game up for the mixtape, Capital Steez and Troy Ave.
Stepping Up After Capital Steez’s Death
We were all together. If you listen to the song “Out Of Reach,” it paints a picture of that night and it was crazy. It was one of those moments where you realize that things aren’t going to be the same. That specific moment where I realized things were going to change. It wasn’t as much about the initial reaction of devastation, but what we were going to do afterward. Steez really was the whole mind of the group. A lot of things was his ideas and we all were pulled together because we all knew Steez. I knew Joey, but I got into the fold because of my relationship with Steez. It’s not easy to explain, but it was tough. After that happened, I definitely had to step up because there was definitely a void. So, I felt it was on me to put in more work and try to help fulfill what he was trying to do. I got the whole Disguise The Limit thing from Steez. It was really inspiring to me and changed my outlook on everything. It sparked something in my head. It was really clever to me and made me realize something. Whatever they say you can’t do or try to stop you from, if you put in enough work and do your shit, you can do whatever you want. That whole Disguise The Limit really changed my outlook on music.
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Disguise The Limit Should Establish Him As An Individual In Pro Era
“The goal of the project was to give my own body of work that contributes. I’ve been involved on Pro Era mixtapes and Joey’s project. It’s just time for me to put out my own body of work so they can see me as an individual. They only see me as a member of Pro Era and that’s why it’s time. Finishing the music was the best part. I’ve made music in the past, just recording stuff, but with this project, I got to really take the next step because added productions. Finishing songs by adding different elements. That was definitely my favorite part. ”
Stepping His Lyrical Game Up
“I grew a lot. I took inspiration from Joey and Steez along with all my favorite artists in general. The more you become a student of the game, the more you pick up. I’m learning about double entendres and different things. You don’t want to be the dude who’s lacking. Being surrounded by these people is motivation to be better yourself.”
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Looking Back At Life Before Pro Era & Being Apart Of The Wave
“I always rapped. When I saw 8 Mile and started listening to 50 Cent, that’s when I made the decision. My friend had a basement studio in his house and I started recording taking it kind of serious. Then I linked up with Joey and the rest was history. I became a member of Pro Era.”
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“It gives me a blueprint and we all have the same ideas about music and what we want to represent. So, we’re this collective that has the same understanding. When it’s time for me to drop a project, it’s just an another extension of the group. It’s just another voice so we’re all on the same page with that. It’s a great feeling.”
Thoughts On Troy Ave’s Disses
I don’t really have a comment on that, to be honest. It’s really nothing to say, he said some foul shit and played himself. That’s really it. I don’t have shit to say about that.
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Watching The Rise Of Joey BadA$$
“It’s amazing. Joey is a year younger than me. I met him when he was a freshman and I was a sophomore [in high school]. Just seeing somebody that I’ve known for so long become so successful is inspiring. It’s not about your age or anything about that, it’s about how hard you work.”
