After a two year break, former Slaughterhouse affiliate Nino Bless has decided to forego traditional distribution and marketing support in favor of a unique, one-off, direct-to-fan approach. The full-length LP, AudioTrip 2, was made available to fans via e-mail and text message in a 12-day interactive web experience, which featured bonus content, live discussions, conference calls, and in-depth behind-the-scenes information exclusive to the experience. Through this new platform, nearly 1500 registered members were able to speak directly to Nino about the album and experience it as it was originally intended—for free. The Brooklyn rapper has already sold out all of his Limited Edition CD’s through pre-orders alone. He previewed the album with the short film “Highs/Lows” earlier this week. 

“I dropped this album in a way I don’t think has been done before,” Bless explains to DX. “Over 1400 people signed up to TakeTheAudioTrip.com and went on a 12-day AudioTrip with me. We’re still getting 60 to 80 opt-ins daily on my site and I’m proud of this grassroots approach we took. There’s live instruments on this album, a different sound for nearly every song, and I put my heart and soul into every word I delivered into that microphone.

“Even the mixing and mastering was approached in a unique way,” he continued.” I don’t expect instant success with this project. It’s one that has to be absorbed through the years. A lot of this isn’t for 2016 or even 2017. There’s a lot of aspects to this album that can still stand 15 years from now. I’m not fighting for the now. I have a bigger purpose I feel. I went into this album picturing someone in 2030 craving to hear the voices of this generation and the outliers. I search for those creators in previous generations—the George Orwells. I made this record with that purpose. Whether I achieve any real success with that regarding accolades and rewards isn’t in my control, and truthfully I couldn’t care less about that. I did my part and it’s already done. I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.”

Beginning with “The Healing” and culminating with “Outro (Decondition), the 13-tack album displays a young MC thirsty for greatness, and he achieves it with his emotionally-charged, soul-searching project. In his brief career, he’s already collaborated with notable artists like Akon, his childhood idol Kool G Rap, Joe Budden, Styles P, Jarren Benton, Slug of Atmosphere, Jarren Benton, Rhymefest, Skyzoo, Jean Grae, Nickelus F, Grafh, and Crooked I. Hit play above and give him a listen.