[3] He is best known for his work with Canadian rapper Drake during his earlier career phases, having guest appeared on his debut mixtape Room for Improvement (2006) and its follow-up, Comeback Season (2007).
"[4] In 2000, Nickelus F got his first break into the hip hop industry when he competed against 300 contenders in the regional "Source Unsigned Hype Emcee Battle" where he placed second despite having no formal recording experience.
He cites Project Pat, Drake, Tha Dogg Pound, C-Bo, Spice 1, Lord Finesse, and high school friend J.R.
[11] While battle rapping on BET's 106 & Park Freestyle Fridays, Nickelus F was working as an exterminator for Terminex, a pest control service.
He would head to New York from Richmond, Virginia after work on Thursdays to compete in Black Entertainment Television 106 & Park "Freestyle Friday" every week.
[13] Nils Westergard created the mural because he believed that Nickelus F deserved recognition from his hometown of Richmond, Virginia and he was in a unique position to provide it via street art.