Merokean Fronts Hip-Hop Group

From the microphones at coffee shop poetry slams and the ciphers at college frat parties, NiKKo and Kraun have joined heads for the hip-hop collective, 1 Way.

NiKKo is also known as Nick Taldi, a man who was born and raised in Merrick. A popular basketball player, Taldi always had a passion for writing music.

“Writing has been a staple in my life since I was very young and it has grown and blended with the basketball culture I’m in and morphed into rap and I couldn’t be happier,” said Taldi.  

1 Way Music formed when Mike Epstein, one of the group’s two managers, and Mike Krau became friendly. Epstein lived in the same suite as Nick Taldi in a dorm at SUNY New Paltz and learned that he rapped.  Eventually, Krau and Taldi met and dreams of putting together a mix tape formed.

“Our music is more on the lines of alternative hip-hop, straying away from the hard sounds of music like DMX while blending electronic rock and house genres,” Krau, Taldi’s partner, said. “Our music is a unique style of rap.  We think our influences are all over the place ranging from artists such as J. Cole to bands like Mumford & Sons,” he added.

The group recently released their debut mix tape, titled “Chandelier Dreams,” a collection of tracks conveyed through a variety of different styles. According to the group, all of the songs are devoted to the common goal of living the lavish lifestyle and making something of yourself to achieve greatness.

“When I first met with Krau it was almost too good to be a true.  Now we have a CD and fans and it’s turning into a movement,” Taldi said.

Taldi told Patch that music always helped to keep him motivated within his own life and that the influence comes through in the mix tape.

“As a kid, music was always what motivated me to keep pushing,” he said. “Coming from an athletic background, this really helped me and I fell in love with the inspiring songs by Eminem and Drake.  It helps me get through the lows and fly with the highs. I love it,” he added.

The duo is now working on their second mix tape.