“I got me a Snickers. Imma be hea for a while.” – UNK a/k/a 11wdNICK
Every once in a while, talent comes along that infuses a breath of fresh air into the entertainment scene. And so it is with New Orleans’ own UNK a/k/a 11wdNICK.
UNK uses his camera, wit and vision to demonstrate the real New Orleans to the world. When we say the real New Orleans, we don’t mean just the French Quarter that is so often seen by tourists – we mean the REAL New Orleans – second lines, Super Sundays, Mardi Gras Indians, the club scene, DJs and repasts – that deeply rooted culture that makes the city arguably the most unique and interesting place on the globe. The REAL New Orleans. UNK brings it to his viewers in rare form, with insightful commentary – it’s the REAL New Orleans known by anyone who truly loves the city.
UNK has a popular You Tube following by people who love watching his Crescent City culture infused videos. He also has a new project that has taken off with no end in sight – his new blog, #DaWIRE! by:UNK. Though New Orleans has some of the most unique music and entertainment in the world, it’s often not featured on local websites or blogs – at least not to the extent that UNK features it.
#DaWIRE! by:UNK has set its sights on promotion of the basis of the REAL New Orleans entertainment and culture. The blog has daily updates of everything from the new generation of rap like Da U Boys and Strait Jigg, to the original artists on the Ca$h Money ticket. It’s a breath of fresh air in a never ending sea of usual and customary. Make sure to check out #DaWIRE! by:UNK – it’s a co-signed partner site of The Heat Magazine.
We had to catch up with UNK to see what’s new with him and here’s what he had to say:
THE HEAT: You have your hands in a lot of different projects. Tell us about what all you do.
UNK A/K/A 11wdNICK: I help promote Da U Boys and Strait Jigg, as well as some of my friends in the industry. I’m the host of #11wdNICKsHouseParty, an aspiring videographer, blogger, full-time parent, and lover of New Orleans.
THE HEAT: How does being from New Orleans affect your art?
UNK A/K/A 11wdNICK: I’m from New Orleans and if you’re born here, you’re born into art. Art surrounds you on a daily basis. The whole culture of the city is an ART so it has no choice but to have some kind of effect on anybody doing something in the city, whether it is videos, movies, music, dancing, cooking – whatever. That’s why you see so many talented artists from New Orleans. Some of us were BORN artists and chose respective fields.
THE HEAT: Tell us about 11wdNICKTv.
UNK A/K/A 11wdNICK: It’s 11wdNICKTv nobody ever pronounces the (th’s) on da wards but dat’s a different interview. 11wdNICKTv started as like the Hood Travel Channel of New Orleans showing the side you don’t see on the Travel Channel. It’s kinda taking you in depth to locals events ranging from second lines and Super Sunday to local “hiphop” events and performances. We hit a bump in the road and are in an upgrading process, but are soon to return to a You Tube video near you.
THE HEAT: What’s your passion?
UNK A/K/A 11wdNICK: My passion? New Orleans. I love my city even when my city don’t love me. I just wanna see the talent in my city shine and get the recognition we deserve cause lawd knows we been copied for too long.
THE HEAT: Your blog is getting really popular. Tell our readers about it.
UNK A/K/A 11wdNICK: Ah yes #DaWIRE! by:UNK. The name was taken illustrious “Geeby Wop (Da Wire)” of the U Crew (shoutout to Da U Boys, Strait Jigg, Da U Crew, and the whole Rue Rois Music Camp. It was created as my own platform to promote the future 11wdNICKTv videos and Rue Rois Music material, as well as the happenings in New Orleans. It’s quickly becoming the Go To spot to get caught up on New Orleans, its happenings and its artists.
THE HEAT: What are we going to see from you in the future?
UNK A/K/A 11wdNICK: If it’s God’s will ALOT! The continuance of #DaWIRE! by:UNK becoming the Premier blog of New Orleans, as well as the eventual debut of the 1st 11wdNICKTv directed music video, commercials, sketch comedy, porno or whatever project is the first to bear the Visuals by:UNK logo. I got me a Snickers. Imma be hea for a while.
EDITOR’S NOTE: He’s got that right – he’ll definitely be around for a long time to come. Make sure to check UNK out and support! You can follow his blog at www.11wdNICKTv.blogspot.com. UNK’s Twitter is @11wdNICK and you can email submissions to 11wdNICKTv@gmail.com.
