by Nikita, The Wicked has been on quite a run. After amazing us with his ‘iloveitwhentheyrun‘ EP he landed a spot in our Focus Five series in August. Since then, he’s continued the momentum with a slew of exceptional singles with ‘Like Me’ cracking our Top 50 Songs of 2024 and gracing our Breakout Producers of 2024. Creativity is his calling card, blending off-kilter and experimental flourishes without sacrificing the groove, finding the difficult balance between innovative and approachable. Sprinkle in some of the best sampling out, which ranges from iconic film dialogue to swaggy rap bars and it’s easy to see why he’s next up.
To start the year right, we have the pleasure of presenting a guest mix + interview from Nikitia, The Wicked. The mix is a showcase of his sound, offering a stack of unreleased IDs plus heaters from LYNY, Viperactive, Gentlemen’s Club, Acyan, and a few others. As for the interview, we discuss his artistic journey, love for sampling, 2025 plans, and explore if he truly views himself as wicked. Dive in below.
For fans that aren’t familiar, tell us a little bit about your artistic journey. When did you start producing and how did your artist project come to life?
I started NTW in July 2020. However, I first started making hip hop beats in 2016. I’ve been working hard on this project for 4 years now and it feels like this past summer of 2024 was when I really started noticing success. It’s funny because I started making future bass, made some house, made trap, went back to house, and now I make bass music. But I think it’s good to make different genres because it makes you a better overall producer and shows your versatility.
What drives you to create?
When I first started NTW, my 2 goals were to push myself to my full creative potential and to leave a legacy behind with my art so that when I’m gone, people will remember me for what I made. So that’s why I create.
I want them to be blown away. And not just from the drop, from the verses, the outro, build-up. Every section must blow your mind. I want them to think introspectively on what they just heard, because they’ve never heard anything like it before.
What do you want listeners to take away from your work?
I want them to be blown away. And not just from the drop, from the verses, the outro, build-up. Every section must blow your mind. I want them to think introspectively on what they just heard, because they’ve never heard anything like it before.
Do you view yourself as wicked? Why or why not?
As Nikita Madorsky, not really. But on stage as NTW, I’d like to think so. I just like the idea of playing characters. So this “Dance Music needed a villain” red-suit character I’ve been playing this year has been really fun and it seems like my fans appreciate it. Right now the question is “how do I evolve this villain character I’ve created as NTW?” Soon you all will see.
In 2023 you tweeted, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” Do you feel that you’re there?
I don’t know if I could fully say I’m there. I like this quote because it pushes me. Also I feel there are some people who may not like me or the content I make but at the end of the day they still have to respect what I make and they will continue to see my name on show and festival lineups. Just push yourself towards greatness.
2024 has been a breakout year for you. What do you view as some of the core forces behind your success?
I would say social media was a big part of it. I saw a lot of success on Instagram reels while promoting my EP ‘iloveitwhentheyrun’. I went from 2k followers to 10k followers in about 4 weeks. Signing with a booking agency was a big achievement for me as well. It allowed me to get on those shows with the bigger artists in my genre and really prove myself on the big stage.
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you in music so far?
There’s a lot that comes to mind but I have to say having a session with Louis the Child was a very memorable experience. I remember listening to their first EP Kids at Play all the time when I first started NTW. They are such dance music Icons and it was so insane just to be in the room with them. I remember showing them my demos and I told them that the Alchemist is one of my favorite hip-hop producers of all time because of his use of sampling. After the third demo I showed them, Robbie looks at me and says, “You are like The Alchemist of Dance Music honestly” Just hearing that coming from him… I will remember for the rest of my life.
It’s nice to bring my love of hip-hop sampling into dance music in my own unique way.
One of the things that makes your tracks so unique is your sample selection, from hip-hop, to film, video games, and beyond. How do you go about finding and placing samples in your tracks?
I grew up on hip hop so the art of sample selection has always been an art form to me. Speaking of The Alchemist, he is just the best at sample selection and placement. I like how he starts his record with a classical sample or some dialogue from a 1970’s cartoon. It just puts you in a whole new world. It’s nice to bring my love of hip-hop sampling into dance music in my own unique way.
What’s the last piece of art that profoundly impacted you? What makes it special?
So I’ve recently been very into the art of film scoring. There’s this composer named Ennio Morricone who is known for scoring all those old spaghetti westerns. He has this one song called ‘Tre anni fa una sera’ and it was written for some Italian film in 1979. I listened to this song for the first time like a week ago – it straight up made me emotional. There’s this string section melody at 1:33… it’s just amazing.
What makes you happy outside of music?
Soccer (FC Barcelona), my girlfriend, my family, my friends, film.
my next EP will be dropping next year. This will be another concept project like ‘iloveitwhentheyrun’ 🙂
What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
I’m very excited to play more festivals and shows. My first merch drop will be coming in 2025. AND my next EP will be dropping next year. This will be another concept project like ‘iloveitwhentheyrun’ 🙂
Any final words for fans?
Words cannot express how grateful I am for my fans! Thank you all for all the support you have shown this past year, truly it means so much. Now it’s time to evolve. I will not let you guys down.
Nikita, The Wicked FUXWITHIT Guest Mix Tracklist
ID – NTW
Levels – Avici (Acyan Flip)
Back Once Again – NTW
ID – Viperactive
ID – NTW & Darby
girl$ – Dom Dolla (Daniel Allan flip)
ID – NTW
GOOD 4 U – Gentlemen’s Club
LIKE ME – NTW
ID – NTW
ID – NTW
Bass Cannon – LYNY
YA BODY – NTW
LUNCH – Billie Eilish (PHRVA FLIP)
ID – NTW
Villain Outro ID – NTW
