As the shadows grow longer and Halloween creeps closer, NinoTariq—known to friends and family as Raeqwan—finds himself standing at the intersection of fear and art. For the Columbia, Mississippi native, the monsters that haunt us aren’t limited to late October. They follow us year-round, hiding beneath the surface of everyday life.
NinoTariq’s upcoming single, “Monsters,” isn’t just a seasonal anthem. It’s a mirror held up to the world, reflecting back the things we’d rather not see. “Halloween is approaching, whether we like it or not,” he says. “We are surrounded by monsters on the daily. One day doesn’t give enough credit for the nightmares we face on average in this world.”
That’s the inspiration behind “Monsters”—a track that blends metaphor with melody, using the language of fear to talk about real struggle. For NinoTariq, music isn’t just entertainment. It’s an act of truth-telling, a way to show the world what’s real without flinching or sugarcoating. “I want to show the world what is real through metaphors and melodies,” he explains.
Growing up in Mississippi, NinoTariq learned early on that monsters don’t always look like what you see in the movies. Sometimes they wear familiar faces. Sometimes they show up as hard times, missed chances, or the weight of expectation. But music, for him, is a way to turn those nightmares into something you can dance to—or at least survive.
He’s not hiding behind a mask, either. “Where do I see myself?” he says. “In front of someone’s camera with a backstory to tell.” For NinoTariq, there’s no separation between the art and the artist. His story is part of every verse, every hook, every haunted note.
With “Monsters” set to drop just in time for Halloween, he’s hoping to make some noise—both on the charts and in the hearts of anyone who’s ever felt haunted by life’s darker corners. You can follow his journey on Instagram (@Ninotariq433) and TikTok (@NinoTariqofficial), or reach out directly at [email protected].
This Halloween, don’t just run from the monsters. Listen to them. You might find that the scariest things are also the most real—and maybe, just maybe, the most worth singing about.
