Lyrics & The Lab: Nouh-Peel

Cool, Calm & COZY- Unwind with Nouh’s rhythm of rhyme.

Meet Nouh-Peel. A method made DJ and MC from St. Louis’ scene of concrete lyricists. A spitter of throwback pedigree, this “classic” rapper carries the torch of hip-hop’s originality and modern rap’s ideology. Tune in as I chat it up with one of STL’s next up.

“While I was in high school, there was a social studies teacher who was really into 90’s hip hop. I believe he was a DJ back then at the time. His name was DJ Kevy Kev.”, shares the Carnahan graduate. “That was around the time when Spotify started to hit. So, I just started throwing back and listening to all types of older rap music, and he saw that. So, I guess he was like, “I gotta pass on these skills.”

The 28 yr. old artist began writing his own poetry and lyrics. “I wrote a song one day, and I brought it to one of my friends just to see what he would think.”, recalls Nouh. “He heard it and was immediately like “Yea, I’m taking you to the studio.” From there, Nouh-Peel (a metaphrase name for “no appeal”) began developing his MC skills. The rapper’s favorite music is nostalgic hip hop from the 90’s and early 2000’s. “I guess growing up I didn’t realize that type of music would fall out of style.”, he explains. “Watching it go away was kind of a shock to me.”

Nouh describes his “flare” as “expressive”. “I’m all about expressing. That’s why I call myself “no appeal” because I’m not trying to appeal to anyone particularly, it’s about how I feel. I have a lot to say. Based on how I grew up and the things I’ve seen.” The artist admires the lyrical style of hip hop’s 90’s MC’s, such as De La Soul, Mos Def (Yasiin Bey), and Talib Kweli. “I also watch a lot of science documentaries. I’ve always been into politics since I was a kid. It’s important, and we don’t talk enough about it in our community.”

The rapper’s first project was a mixtape titled “Cozy Raps”. In late October of 2020, Nouh-Peel released his 3-track EP, “Cozy 3 Pack” on streaming services. “Back then I was really just throwing s*** at a wall and seeing what stuck.”, he says. It was really raw self-expression.” In September 2023, Nouh followed up with his debut full-length album, “Yung Cozy Bastard”. “I believe I’ve gotten more skilled at “crafting sauce.”, claims the MC. Nouh says he draws the “cozy” theme from life experiences. “A while ago, I was sleeping outside. The main thing on my mind then was being comfortable. So now, it’s my thing.”

Nouh-Peel- “SMH” (feat. FatBoyDupree)

Currently, Nouh-Peel is working on an upcoming EP. “I usually go through Bandcamp and release my projects bit by bit. That way people can check the music out while the project is being built.” The DJ/MC is also continuing artist development and exploring his craft. “Whatever happens happens. Let’s just see what “sticks to the wall.” I’ll give it 100%”. Cozy in his artistic identity, comfy is his style, Nouh’s got his authenticity down to the wire. Anticipating when his NEW comes through.