Nerve has been a key figure in the Australian rap scene for years, but with his album Growing Pains on the horizon, he’s staking his claim for top brass.

His latest single ‘You’ is an examination of a love that never happened, backed by a loungey garage beat, with the Brisbane rapper delivering bar after bar of street poetry that feels simultaneously off the cuff and deep – a tough landing to truly stick.

It comes with a revamped social approach as Nerve, like so many modern artists, is taking his output into his own hands and building a visual story for socials that helps sell his music and (hate to say it) “brand” in a way that feels authentic to him.

And people are noticing – his recent promo reel above went viral, earning him thousands of new followers overnight. Not to mention his link-up with Foot Locker as the face and sound of their new campaign, and hitting the top 20 of the Hip Hop & RnB charts.

It’s the signpost of an artist who’s on the precipice of the biggest moments of his career. Naturally, a perfect fit for Artist of the Week. We caught up with him for a quick chat about his new track, being vulnerable, and what he’s doing with his degree… Check it out below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-ZIUqkqZ6M

‘You’ (and, to a lesser extent, ‘Way You Move’) reminds me a bit of The Streets and Mike Skinner’s love of UK garage. What were you listening to, or inspired by, while making these tracks?

I made ‘You’ while I was in London in December 2025. I was catching the tube for about 3 hours every day and it reminded me of the feeling when you see someone you’re instantly drawn to in public – maybe on the tube. You feel enamoured by them and imagine what your life would look like if you introduced yourself and got to know them. Then they get off at the next station – and you never see them again.

Sonically, the UK Garage influence is huge. I was going to a lot of clubs and raves at this point and I felt really drawn to the hypnotic and euphoric feeling I got from them. I’ve never really experienced anything like that in the past and I wanted to capture that in a song so I could remember what it feels like.

I was going through a really heavy breakup at the time. This song gives me hope that one day I will fall in love in the same way I write about in ‘You’.

You’re no stranger to exploring the theme of love in your music. How does this track take a different look at the subject?

I think this track is a softer, more honest and vulnerable look at love for me. In the past there’s been some big, fast and intense displays of love, lust and hate in my music. This feels more true to who I am now and how I really interact with people I love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTdej2zKWVU

The release coincides with a Foot Locker deal. What’s it like bridging the music and fashion/retail worlds? A lot of rappers overseas are lending their names to brands as Creative Directors. Is something like that on the horizon?

Absolutely. I’m learning a lot about casting, script writing, editing, colour grading and general creative direction this year and I’m loving it.

For someone who was pretty prolific when you first burst onto the scene, this release feels like a long time coming. Was the process a bit slower this time around? Has your attitude or strategy towards releasing music changed?

My process has changed with this album mainly in the way I revisit songs. I used to not let a song get past version 2. I wanted the whole song to be started and finished in one day or a few hours because I figured if it took any longer the feeling was gone.

This time around, I sat on it for a few months before deciding to add more to it. I was patient and I think it really paid off getting input from a few talented friends and really carving out a clear feel to the song. I’m seeing it connect with people in a way I’ve never seen before and because of that I know I did the right thing.

You recently had a viral Instagram post. How much effort do you put into that marketing side of things?

I hate to say it as an artist, but as a business man? Marketing is everything. I finished my album last month and I took the NERVE hat off and put on the A&R hat. Now I’m focused on how to push this project to as many people as possible. I know the music is there – now people just need to see it.

How do you feel about the importance of “content creation” when it comes to building a career in the industry?

It’s everything now. We love to complain about it – but if you don’t get with the time’s they’re gonna pass you by so fast you won’t even have a second to wonder why you dropped off.

I like it though, it’s just another creative outlet for me – same as the music.

One of your content series involves flipping records. Have you ever found a song that just doesn’t fucking work? What’s been the most surprising flip that has worked?

Man. I copped this Sun-Ra record in London a few months back. I was super jetlagged and tried so hard to flip it but that record? In the mood I was in? Not happening.

So I sent it to my drummer / producer friend Wyes and he flipped it so easily it nearly destroyed my ego.

Sometimes you just ain’t the man for the job 😂

You’re a big-time collaborator as both a rapper and producer. Who have you heard recently that’s blown your mind?

Maden Lane. Insanely good.

Congrats on finishing your degree. Why was it important to you to graduate? What do you plan on doing with it?

It was important to graduate because I like to finish what I start.

I plan on letting my degree sit in a little frame and collect dust in the back of my future home studio though.

What else is coming up this year?

My New album, “Growing Pains” drops 21st August.

And an album means a tour.

And Vinyl

And a Like A Version

And a Takeflight Sky Session

And Release Parties

And probably heaps more shit

And I’m looking forward to it

Growing Pains drops August 21st. Stay tuned.