Alton Hood and Michael Brown On Their Days as D.O.C. & Coming Back as Nimisilla Park

By Timothy Yap Oct 20, 2016 04:37 AM EDT

Twenty-six years ago after GRAMMY and Dove Award nominees D.O.C. (Disciples of Christ) first burst onto the Contemporary Christian Music scene, the hip-hop veterans are back with a new album and a new name. Rebranded as Nimisilla Park, D.O.C.'s founding members Alton Hood and Michael Brown have created a new sound that is bold, unapologetic and melodically infectious. Co-produced by David Oswald Cox (Nicole C. Mullen, Stacie Orrico, Pettidee), their new EP Welcome to Nimisilla Park (Coal Mine Entertainment) is available today (October 7) wherever digital music is sold including iTunes and Amazon.

Discovered and signed by Dez Dickerson, best known as the iconic guitarist of Prince and the Revolution, D.O.C. was destined for a place in music history, and then, it all vanished. Both Hood and Brown spent a decade apart, wondering why God had taken away the ministry they spent years building with their own blood, sweat and tears. They both found themselves divorced, and Brown struggled with addiction, propelled by the pain and scars of homelessness and being abandoned to the streets to fend for himself at eight years of age.

Hood and Brown eventually reconnected, and what followed was a period of reflection, reconciliation and renewal of the calling that God placed on their lives. Their calling seemed to have vanished, buried under years of pain, sorrow, disappointment, regret and loss. But God revitalized that calling, revitalized their creativity and their faith. They formed their own Indie label, Coal Mine Entertainment and soon found themselves performing an original song and dance ("The Jimmy Fallon Dip") for the 100th episode of NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

The duo rebranded as Nimisilla Park, taking their name from the park they hung out in as kids in Canton, Ohio. The end result is their debut EP entitled Welcome to Nimisilla Park. It is the memory of the park's unity and the community that drives the music. The music is driven, passionate, melodic and intoxicating. It reaches that deepest darkest pain in your soul and opens it up to the light, laughter and hope for which we all desperately yearn.

Q: Thank you so much for your time. Twenty six years ago, you burst onto the music scene as D.O.C. where you received Grammy and Dove nominations. What were some of the highlights for you as part of D.O.C.?

A: The countless letters we would receive detailing how our music and ministry had impacted their lives. Also notable highlights include performing on BET, co-producing a record with Funk legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bootsy Collins, joining an ensemble of artists singing a finale song at the Dove Awards, a featured article in Newsweek, touring with Gospel legends Andrae and Sandra Crouch and so much more.

Q: What happened after that? What were you doing after D.O.C.?

A: Big Mike and Alton Lee both went to Ministry School and served as leaders in the local church for many years.

Q: What prompted you to get back to music?

A: Over the years, we continued to be involved in music on some level, whether it be providing jingles for the corporate marketplace or producing music for other artists. But once we got back into the studio to pursue the possibilities, we knew the calling and chemistry was still there.

Q: Why do you call yourselves Nimisilla Park? What's the significance of your name?

A: Nimisilla Park is actually a physical park in Canton, Ohio, where we intially launched our career. It represents a place of foundation, new beginnings and pure creative freedom.

Q: How's your music different or similar to that of D.O.C?

A: It's similar in that, it still maintains the lyrical and spiritual integrity that our base is familiar with. It's different because we have full creative freedom.

Q: What are you most excited about with regards to your new EP "Welcome to Nimisilla Park"?

A: We are very excited about our growth and musical production. We call it take over music. It's familiar, yet unpredictable. Our heart is to unite the denominations and the races, to allow the presence of God to take us all over with his love and grace.

Q: Over these years, how has your faith in Jesus changed or grown?

A: Experience tempered with wisdom has strengthened our relationship with God. Especially as it pertains to relationships, family, total restoration and his unconditional love.

Q: For our readers who would like to know more about you or your music, where can they go?

A: We can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram under Nimisilla Park, and our website is www.nimisillapark.com. We are also very excited to announce a new way to engage with our audience via text messaging. This will include exclusive content, limited edition merchandise and unique fan experiences. Best of all, it's free! Just send a text to 615-645-1087.

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