Introducing… Nefarious!

Saul Devon Arrechea (born June 18, 1991), better known as Nefarious!, is a Hip-Hop producer from Hayward, California. He is known for his laid back instrumentals created through sampling soul records. Nefarious! started out as a rapper and began making beats for himself to avoid depending on other producers. He eventually gave up rapping and took up producing full time. He is one third of Less Than Three and a proud member of the Cosmic Souls Collective.

Nefarious! has been on my radar for a minute so I decided to get up with him and learn a little more. Hit the cut to get to know Nefarious!

Where you reppin:

I’m reppin Hayward, California in the Bay Area. Lots of dope diggin’ spots in the Bay as well as established artists and groups like Hieroglyphics, Zion-I, etc.

Introduce yourself:

I’m an 18 year old hip-hop producer that goes by the name of Nefarious! and I collect records and things. I’m part of the Cosmic Souls Collective and we are working on putting out good music for people to enjoy.

Current projects we should be looking out for:

Right now you should be looking out for me and Amor Jones’s album called While You Were Sleeping which was named that because me and Jones hope for people to stop sleeping on us after we release it. Also, look out for the Cosmic Souls Collective compilation that will feature tracks from each member for the CSC and we are pretty deep now. Don’t sleep.

Previous work that we should know about:

You should know about my last beat tape called More Than Music [download] which was 12 tracks of heat. I also have production on the latest albums by Jarell Perry, Amor Jones, and SLik d. Check those out.

Main musical inspirations:

My biggest inspirations are probably J Dilla and Madlib.They are the best producers in my opinion and I hope to be known as a great producer myself one day.

When did you fall in love with hip hop?

I was probably a freshman in high school when I fell in love with Hip-Hop. The first dope song I heard was probably 93 til infinity by Souls Of Mischief and then I got more familiar with music from Hieroglyphics and am currently doing work with one of the members. I didn’t start making music until I was a sophomore, I started out rapping but ended up producing.

What’s your equipment setup like?

My set up is completely midi and digital because I pay for most of the stuff myself and am broke. I use an Akai MPD 32 with Reason and a midi keyboard. I sample alot from records, though. Even though I chose to go digital I still keep everything gritty with the sound of vinyl.

If you had to pick one song that defines your career to date, what song would that be?

Hmmm.. I would have to say Blu & Exile’s “Dancing In The Rain”. It doesn’t exactly describe my career, but Blu talks about some of the things I feel when I’m making music and talks about how music is a great way to deal with stress.

Where did the name Nafarious! come from?

I chose the name Nefarious! because when I was younger I was a rapper and rapped about the typical BS, girls, money, violence. It wasn’t until after I discovered better shit that I stopped putting music like that out. So I guess the name Nefarious! just stuck, it meaning something evil or wicked, ‘cept I’m a nice dude now.

Why should the readers and fans give you a shot and listen to your music from here on out?

Cause the music is dope! Nah, but really. We are putting out some quality shit that people should’nt miss. We put a lot of effort into what we do and it isn’t about the money for us (but the money is a nice bonus though haha).

What’s next for you?

Next is just the album with Amor Jones and the CSC Comiplation. I’ve been promoting my beat store to help upgrade my set up a little bit. I’m also starting school next week to be a sound engineer so I’m sure I’ll learn a ton of useful info there.

If you could only take one record on a deserted island with you, what album would that be?

Stakes Is High – De La Soul

Any shout outs or last words?

I just want to shout out the Cosmic Souls Collective. Make sure you check out the site at CosmicSoulsCollective.com. And check out my personal blog at TheSoulDojo.com. And buy some beats please. And peace to Kev for the chance to get back on the site.

Music by Nefarious!:

• More Than Music
• The Crush Groovin’
• Nef on the Beat, Vol 1
• Rebirth of the Cool
• Anthology, Vol 1