Playing from venue to venue after high school, pop artist Nick McCord hoped he would be noticed by any music studio to jumpstart his dream career. Since his signing with GProductions in 2010, McCord has toured across the U.S. and Europe. 

“It took a lot of work,” McCord said. “It was completely worth it.”

While touring throughout Europe, McCord played with Timati, the number one artist in Europe, in France and other major countries. The three-week tour took him to famed cities such as Paris, Cannes, St. Tropez and Geneva.

“They [Europeans] love Americans,” McCord said. “They look at us like we look at them.”

McCord plays in Senega for his tour in Africa on Dec. 7, the hometown of his producer, Gibson Kagni, whose brother is famous rap artist, Akon. McCord plays for one night with popular European artist, Kalenna. McCord believes seeing his producer’s hometown will be a fun experience.

“It will be really interesting to see where he grew up,” McCord said, “and to even play for his hometown is cool enough.”

Since playing at House of Blues and other venues around Mansfield, along with playing at Legacy and Mansfield’s pep rallies, McCord has learned a lot about the business.

“I love the experience overall [and] it’s been a lot of fun,” McCord said. “I’m just an average kid trying to make it.”