We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikoles Sosa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikoles, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
When I was 15 years old, I ended up in Los Padrinos because of constant fighting and cop intervention between my brother and I. My mom had no way of controlling me she told me, as I was always taking her car, skipping school, getting high, and overall, not caring about life because of the way i grew up. I witnessed a world of failing parts. Drug abuse that eventually led me to foster home as a child forcing me to move from place to place. Throughout this time, I developed a form of disassociation from reality and growth of self. I started to mentally “mutilate” myself as a response. Unaware of it but now fully conscious of the fact of it. I lost one year of my life, going from LP, central, to Barry J, and camp to come out having a deeper feeling of resentment I harbored against “family” but a new understanding of life. I went over all the things that happened that lead me to a cell and thought of the time I was losing. Yet, when I returned, I was the same. Just this time quieter. I smoked my mind fried, drank till I dropped, and was always thinking of numbing. I eventually turned to my passion of music and created a project of the journey I embarked on my discovery of self-healing. Staying stuck in the past led me nowhere because eventually homelessness struck, and stress took over and landed me in the mental hospital. I had no one to blame but myself. Now I look at all that I’ve been through and see its impact on my strength today. Only God can stop me at this point. Not words. Not myself or anyone else.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My stage name is Ponyboi Sosa. Music was always a part of me, growing up writing songs for girls and busking. Nothing really sets me apart from all other artist in the sense that we all LOVE our craft. What I could say that sets me apart from a lot of other artists is that i’m not afraid to tell “the story” and show all sides of who I am and how I think. I get vulnerable with music at times, when it’s a serious topic or something that I need to release. I give credit to The Kamikaze for providing an opportunity to truly show my potential when all I did was make Instagram videos of writtens I would make back in 2017-18. I met an Audio Engineer who let me be my authentic self without any barriers or judgements. Eighta-Z. Our friendship wasn’t easy because of the constant emotional rollercoaster I was always on but he always provided me the outlet to release, and I thank him for helping me create my project: More Than Money. I’m an artist and businessman who is open, honest, and creative to the heart. A lesson I would like to give from my personal experience is to not let your worse enemy be your own negativity. Life is tough enough and has many challenges ahead. Don’t make one of them you. Discover your potential and be gentle to yourself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Really i’m a homebody and dont go out at all. Need someone to show me around really.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to the old man at Jurupa hills, my lifelong mentor and friend. James Griffin. He was always there to help me through the toughest times of my life. Truly a man who understand friendship, hardship, and perseverance. He taught me a lot and guided me through the motions of pain and strength.

Twitter: @_ntrusive

Youtube: Ponyboi Sosa

Other: I don’t do social media anymore but I do have an X.

Image Credits
Jay Photography Universal Studios (scare actor)

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