Being a music artist with substance nowadays is pretty tough, especially when there are people who love nothing but mumble rap over a nice beat and nightlife bangers. In a city like Detroit, gritty, hard-core rap is at an all-time high, which is fine, but artists like Davon “Pariis Noel” Jordan Brooks think it’s time to put the mumble rap to sleep. As a self-proclaimed cultural icon, Pariis is willing to put all of his passion into spreading awareness in Detroit’s music culture, that with a music platform it is important and OK to speak consciously, even if the crowd doesn’t follow. “These rappers nowadays are not making music, I’m sorry, but I had to bluntly say that. But that’s OK, that’s what I’m here for. I’m gonna show them how to do it right,” Pariis says.
Growing up on Detroit’s west side, Pariis found it hard to relate to the music culture he grew up listening to. At the age of 10, he discovered his knack for music. “Nothing felt as good, and right when I started making music. It just made so much sense,” says Pariis. His wordplay, nd intellect are the two most dangerous weapons he uses in his music.
In a recent talk with rolling out, Pariis discussed many things, including his views on acknowledging God in his music. In his dubbed single, “Big Rings x Big Dreams,” he talks short-lived fame with most rappers and big aspirations and goals that God wants for his life. After spreading his message on Hot 107.5, and WJLB FM 98, Pariis didn’t mind sharing his story again. Read what the up-and-coming Detroit rapper shared with rolling out about his career thus far.
Who is Pariis Noel?
Pretty much I’m just a vessel that tells stories for people. I’m definitely going to be a cultural icon, shall I say. I’m just learning as I grow with the music. I make it less about me and more about other people … like in a sense where if you can’t say anything to a certain individual, or if you can’t put it in ways, words, and formats, then you don’t really wanna leave room for someone to say something because you want to get a point across. So, that’s what music really is to me. At the end of the day, it’s about having fun and [grounding] yourself with a great foundation.
At what point in your life did you start taking the initiative to step toward consciousness in your music?
Honestly, I think when it all came down to it, I was at a loss and I was trying to find myself and what I wanted to do in life. My dad was trying to persuade me to go to the Army, but, deep down inside, I always had it in me, but I never really brought it out until the time was right — and that’s just off the will of God. I would’ve never known that this would’ve been it. It’s crazy to this day … I find myself in the most unforeseen circumstances and really they just cultivate through music. Challenges, ups and downs, left and rights, I was just at a point where I was just lost like, “What am I gonna do with my life?”
During this ‘lost’ moment in your life, was it a dark, vicious, sad, angry time, etc? Describe what this epiphany was like for you?
I was scared. I’m not gon’ lie, I was scared as hell because I seen [sic] a lot of people that were close to me that were doing things for themselves. Whether it was football, college…I was in search for validation, like, “Where do I stand at this point?” So that’s when I took upon the dignity to look into Specs Howard School of Broadcasting, where I graduated from. When I went to Specs, it just spoke to me, because I got into that field of recording and creating, to that field of media, you know? … And it took ways of which I gave myself three options; music, modeling, or acting. So, I’m like whatever gon’ take the lead, I’m gon’ run with it (laughs)! I got a Mac-book when I was at Specs and I started doing my own pre-recording and from there it went on and on and it continued to challenge me. Ever since then, what I learned at Specs has never left me, it’s still with me till this day — t can’t escape me. I have remained passionate about the music.
What does Pariis Noel mean? Where did this stage name come from?
“P.A.R.I.I.S.” stands for, “Passion always react in success” The “noel’ part of it came from an old co-worker, Mr. Chuck. I always used to kick some freestyle for ’em, he was like “Man, Imma call you young and gifted, young Noel!” It didn’t click at the moment, but now it all makes so much sense.
How do you describe your music and your style? It’s very different from a lot of artists today. Does that bother you at all?
The style that describes me is not one-dimensional, but multidimensional. I don’t want to put a cap on myself about what I can do. I can touch bases in rock, if I had the opportunity to do country I’d step to it, hell — Nelly did it! I just want to really reach out to the masses and the demographics of people of all kind in a sense where somehow, some way, some form or fashion my music will be unified. It ain’t just about hopping on a track and rappin’. Those things are cool, but, what can you really do that’s groundbreaking with your platform? I’ve done music with reggae artists, a ton of different genres in the archives and I stepped foot on it and was able to prosper. I’m very musically inclined, and it doesn’t bother me. I just do me. Everybody thinks it’s a formula. It’s like math, you gotta figure it out.
Who or what influences your music?
Guys like Chance the Rapper. The way he stands for something, you know?… J. Cole, it’s amazing. Taking it back to old-school hip-hop, those guys believed and took a stand for something. They really, really, really, wanted a change, they made a mission statement with their music about what they could do with the gifts they had, the talents and attributes. Right now, I’m a fan of whoever stands for something, on a mission for change.
Where can our readers find you on social media?
@Pariis_Noel on Twitter and Instagram, Pariis Noel on Facebook.
“Big Rings x Big Dreams” is also available on all streaming platforms — Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube and Soundcloud.
Photos credit: Zachary Lang and Antonio Dejesus (noted where otherwise)
