Nick Brooks isn’t just another name trying to make it in the entertainment world—he’s a walking testament to hustle, heart, and dual-talent dedication. From making appearances on NY Homicide to recording original tracks inspired by personal experiences, Brooks is carving out his lane as both an actor and a musician—and he’s doing it on his own terms. “I’ve always been my mom’s drama child,” Brooks shares with a laugh. Though his early years were spent chasing basketball dreams, the allure of TV and entertainment had a grip on him from the start. “I loved professional wrestling as a kid. Mimicking what I saw WWE superstars do on TV helped me become a better actor.” His pivot into music came almost by chance—but it stuck. While pursuing acting, Brooks met a fellow actor who also produced music. “I told him I always wanted to try music because I had a decent singing voice,” he says. “He invited me to his studio one day and after that, I’ve been taking it seriously ever since.”
Balancing two demanding creative paths isn’t easy, especially with a full-time job and running a youth basketball organization. Still, Brooks is unwavering in his mission. “I try to devote as much time as I can to both crafts without short-changing either. I know I have a gift for both arts.” His musical palette is rooted in icons: “Michael Jackson is my all-time GOAT,” he says. He also cites influences like Drake, Chris Brown, The Weeknd, Big Sean, Post Malone, and A Boogie, all of whom shape the dynamic energy of his sound today.
When it comes to making music, Brooks has a flexible creative process. “It either starts with a beat that I like or I’ll have something in my notes already that I wanna say on a track.”
That same adaptability plays into his acting career. One of his proudest moments? Appearing twice on NY Homicide. “That was the first time I ever saw myself on a major network TV show, so that was pretty rewarding,” he recalls.
Brooks also finds synergy between acting and music. “They go hand in hand,” he says. “If I do a project where I think I have a song that can fit in well with the TV show or movie, then I’ll pitch it to the directors and producers.”
Currently sidelined for the next two months due to a torn Achilles, Brooks isn’t letting injury slow down his ambition. “I’m still auditioning and submitting damn near everywhere—even though I can’t walk or stand up,” he jokes. “I get my bandages removed this Friday, so hopefully I’ll be one step closer to not being handicapped much longer.”
Through it all, Brooks credits his mother as a source of belief and motivation. “She has always believed in me when it came to trying to make it in entertainment,” he says. “Which is why I have to make something of this whole acting thing—one way or another.” Ultimately, Brooks creates with connection in mind. “I just wanna make art that people can relate to,” he says. “Music has helped me get through a lot in my life. I want to give people something that could do the same for them.”
For other young artists chasing similar dreams, Brooks keeps it real: “Build your network as much as you can because at the end of the day, that’s how you’re gonna break in. Knowing the right people who make decisions is half the battle. Also, consistency is normally what gets rewarded.” From bouncing back after injury to bouncing between the studio and the set, Nick Brooks is doing the work—and his grind is just getting started.
