Slick Naim Speaks To Us About How He Manages To Fit Everything In His Career, His Inspirations, And His Family

Algerian-American hip hop artist Slick Naim, who makes Brooklyn his home shows that not only does he want it all, he also has it all, and does it all. With new singles, ‘In The Vault‘, and ‘Scary Slope‘, he’s aiming for the stars, but at the same time he has plenty to keep him grounded, namely his wife, director Reema, and their children. We spoke to Slick Naim and asked him how he keeps it all together.

You’re an award-winning rapper, producer, and R&B artist; you’re also an Emmy-nominated writer, director, actor, and TV/film producer. How do you balance all these aspects of your work life, and which would you choose, if you were limited to only one of them? Why would you make that choice?

Balance is all about time management. So, I organize my days on whatever I feel like doing or whatever it is I’m working on. You’d be surprised how much you could get done with good time management. If I were limited to just one, it would be music, as I find myself still gravitating to that the most, and it’s a much quicker process than directing and writing movies and TV shows. 

Your wife Reema directed the videos for your recent singles, ‘In The Vault’ and ‘Scary Slope’, and she also co-stars with you in ‘In The Vault’. How did it come about that she became involved in this aspect of your career?

My wife always wanted to be a music video director but with her Arab background she wasn’t allowed to, so she had to go into the medical field, but now that she’s married to me, she’s able to live out that dream, which is a beautiful thing because it also saves us money. And saves us trying to find a good director. As far as co-starring, she looks like a fucking star so I have to put her in my videos!

Your latest album, ‘In The Vault’, was released almost a year ago. Have you got more music in the works? How many more singles are you hoping to release from ‘In The Vault’? What’s next for you?

I’m constantly working on new music, it’s just sporadic in terms of when I’m motivated. But I have enough for another album already. I’ll be releasing new music and new videos soon.

Who inspires you musically? And what about the other parts of your life, who inspires you there?

Musically, I’m inspired by Tupac, BIG, Jay-Z, Kendrick, Drake, Cole. In life, I’m inspired by The Rock and Will Smith for their work ethic and commitment to family, as well as my boys Ramy Youssef, Rapman, and Tobe Nwigwe.

Do you have any advice for anyone who’s just starting out in their music career, something that’s helped you through the tough times?

Just keep going, as cliché as it sounds. Keep moving forward, keep writing, keep creating and keep putting it out there. 

If you could start all over again, what, if anything, would you do differently, and why?

I would probably not have kept so much music and videos to myself thinking they weren’t ready. I would have just released everything and let the universe do its thing. I believe in a way it’s blocking your blessings.

Finally, what question do you wish someone would ask you in an interview, but nobody ever does? And what’s the answer to that question?

What do you enjoy the most in your personal life excluding career? Being a father. I get the most joy from the simplest moments with my kids.   

Watch the video for ‘In The Vault’ below, and find out more about Slick Naim and his music online on his official website, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.