Oakland native and CSU East Bay alumnus Neiman Scott is now working hard to pursue his lifelong musical aspirations.

Scott, 24, is a songwriter, singer and actor who attended Oakland School for the Arts for acting.He started playing instruments at a young age and with two musically talented parents, he was destined to find his way into the music industry as well.

“My dad used to buy me toy instruments and I grew a love for music and I learned to play real instruments,” said Scott.

Once Scott got the hang of playing different instruments, he took his passion a step further by joining a band.

“I started playing the saxophone at the age of seven,” said Scott. “I joined the school band and I learned to play other instruments like the piano and the drums. I hated the drums, and now that I produce typically the only instrument I play now is the piano, because I can play any instrument on the keyboard.

“During my time at OSA, I traveled around the country and did a lot of acting for plays,” said Scott. “I played in many music conventions.”

Growing up, he loved to listen to a variety of musical genres and was inspired by several different artists.

“I was influenced by my parents, Michael Jackson, Brandy and many of my cousins rapped, sang and wrote music, so it has been around me a really long time,” said Scott.

Scott’s name has been buzzing around the Bay Area a lot lately, as he is working with upcoming R&B artist Rayven Justice.

“I have been working with Rayven as his manager and songwriter,” said Scott. “I am the guy who wrote Rayven’s hit single, ‘Settle For Less.’ I also produced it and wrote his new single that has been in heavy rotation on radio stations on the West Coast titled, “Grabn on my Zipper.”

Many people may not have recognized Scott for his early work, but he wrote the hook for now dismantled Bay Area group Go Dav, whose most popular single was titled, “Ride or Die Chick.”

“I’ve worked with many Bay Area artists, including Kafani, Kali Cash, Phility Rich, Matt Black, Balance, Jimmie Reign, Erk Tha Jerk and Too Short,” said Scott.

“I have also worked with artists on a more national scale such as the Rejectz who had a hit with the song “Cat Daddy.” I have worked with a southern California-based group called Audio Push; they had a single called “Teach Me How To Jerk.” I have worked with platinum recording producer Corey Bose who have produced singles for artists like Marques Houston, Omarion, Keri Hilson.”

The skills Scott possesses as a songwriter have provided him the opportunity of working with many up-and-coming artists.

“One of Corey Bose’s guys reached out to me and asked me was I interested in working with Keri Hilson on her new album, so they maybe in the works,” said Scott. “I have submitted a hook for Grammy award winning rap artist B.O.B’s new album, so that’s something to look out for.”

Scott runs a music production team called Nova Musiq group, which consists of writers and producers. “The group consist[s] of me, Jason King, Johnae Wright and Rayven Justice. It’s the first project we have in the works,” said Scott.

Currently, Scott is focusing on getting Justice to a national level as well as a record deal.

“I have Justice doing well for an independent Bay Area artist,” said Scott. “He is currently getting heavy spins on 106 KMEL and has sold over 7,000 songs on iTunes. He has been doing many shows with artists who have landed record deals, such as Bay Area’s own Love Rance and also platinum producer and singer Ryan Leslie and also he has been getting featured on many artist records.”