Collin Louis (born 25 April 1987) better known by his stage name NITRO is an South African hip-hop MC, who was brought up on the gritty streets of the Cape Flats in the west coast of South Africa.
Growing up in Cape Town wasn't always easy for this remarkable motor-mouth MC with the electromagnetic flow that defines his music. Conceived by Katrina Louis and Romano Abraham, he was born 3 months prematurely had to spend his first 3 months in an incubator. But nothing could ever hold this young man down as he was destined for better things.
He first discovered his passion for music while he was in an American exchange programs in South Africa. This was the place where he was given the opportunity to explore in poetry and music for the first time. Ever since he has never put the pen down.
He was raised in Leonsdale (Louse Boss) Elsies River, an area renowned for gang violence , the playground of the infamous Number Gangs. Growing up he had to cope with domestic violence initiated by stepfather Walter Williams. In September 2003 he's stepfather past away and his mother decided to move to an area called Kuils River, where he met fellow artist Terror MC at a local Hip-Hip oasis called Africa Unite. This is the place where he recorded his first track.
In 2007 he took one giant leap and decided to move to Brittan, he's first stop was Glasgow. On his arrival he got stabbed in the chest being in the country for less then 6 hours, the result of being mistaken for someone else. To his rescue came local Glasgow Act the "W.E.B" West End Boys. The local MC's helped Nitro to the local hospital and has ever since been down with him.
After living in Glasgow for 6 months he decided to move to Preston, England. In Preston he met Bravo, a talented MC and director. Since 2008 Nitro has been affiliated with the infamous independent east London record label "Volume Entertainment",recording more than 200 tracks to date. Including mix-tape's "Pimp & A Thug" and "Diary Of A Cape Kallit" , which include hits like "Next Wifey" and "This is me".
But this young artist is not just stopping here he also has big humanitarian plans for the future in the positive upliftme nt of his people. He is one of the founders of a new charity that fights against the abuse of women and children. This promising mc also plans on releasing his first debut single later this year titled "My People", which is a direct reflection of the daily struggle that is life in Cape Town. It will be released in the U.K, South Africa and Cyprus.
When it comes to this promising MC there is a lot more than meets the eye, he is also currently serving in the British Army, and in August 2009 he graduated from the Royal School of Infantry, being rated fittest in his class. Needless to say he is currently tearing up mics in Cyprus.
This young man has big plans for the future and is definitely one freshman to look out for!!
Watch this space
Yeah i play live in any location that will allow me ill even be on the street and start frowin down bars i have performed at Flares in Paphos hopefully get a nother show there soon
Big L, 2 Pac, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Kanye West and many more
Listen to my tracks Any feedback will be much Appreciated Peace
