Born on August 14, 2001, Jacquan Andrews, known professionally as Nino Paid, is an American rapper from Landover, Maryland. He is recognized for his introspective and vulnerable lyrics delivered over a backdrop of DMV crank beats, a regional subgenre known for its aggressive drums. 

Early life and upbringing: Foster care; when he was around four years old, Andrews and his three siblings entered the foster care system in the D.C. area, where they experienced homelessness, abuse, and violence.

Adoption: After years in the foster care system, he and his younger sister were adopted by a construction worker and a religious mother, whom he considers a “saint”. Juvenile detention: In his teens, he was repeatedly arrested for burglaries and spent time in juvenile detention in Philadelphia, where he earned his GED.

Education: He enrolled in Prince George’s Community College after being released, but dropped out during his first semester.

Musical career: He began rapping at age 8 and recorded his first song under the name Zeal at age 14, but took a hiatus before re-emerging as Nino Paid in 2022.

Breakthrough: His breakout single, “Pain & Possibilities,” released in 2023, gained traction on Reddit and led to a distribution deal with Signal Records, a label associated with Columbia Records.

Major releases: 2024: Released his debut studio album, Can’t Go Bacc. 2025: Released his second studio album, Love Me as I Am.

Touring and recognition: He performed at the 2025 Summer Smash festival and was named to the 2025 XXL Freshman List.

Personal narratives: He raps about his traumatic past and turbulent experiences with brutal honesty.

Crank influence: His sound is rooted in the DMV crank subgenre, with a gentler approach to the beats.

Confessional tone: His music is ruminative and somber, often balancing painful memories with a natural sense of hope.

Legal issues July 2025 Arrest: Nino Paid was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Maryland on charges of vehicle theft but was released the next day.

Net worth: Nino Paid has an estimated net worth of $1 million.

Source of income

Record deal: In 2023, he signed a distribution deal with Signal Records, a joint venture with Columbia Records and an imprint of Sony Music. This deal provides him with a portion of his earnings from album sales and streaming royalties.

Streaming revenue: His music has accumulated millions of streams across platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

Concerts and appearances: His appearances at festivals, such as the 2025 Summer Smash, and other performances also generate income.

Royalties: He earns royalties from various sources, including publishing, mechanical, and performance royalties.

Initial social media popularity: He has stated that he initially invested a small amount of money into Instagram ads to build his fanbase, which ultimately led to his breakthrough.