“…an ex-boyfriend that was locked up told me to find WillPower if I wanted to do music and I did; the rest is history.”
“- Featuring Nikkiya” is a note that is starting to become familiar within the hiphop world. Her first breakthrough feature was on Yelawolf‘s track Speak Her Sex from the already classic Trunk Muzik album. It was this project that life time collaborator Will Power, aka SupaHot Beats, produced in full. Since, Nikkiya has laid hooks for Wiz Khalifa & Chevy Woods and Tech N9ne, and with more in the pipeline. In addition to features, she’s currently creating her debut solo project, SpeakHer.
UPDATE: Download “Speakher” for free HERE
Firstly, Nikkiya, how’re you right now, what’s good?
I’m great! Super excited that you thought of me =)
You’re an artist on the come up, making some big appearances recently. But can you take us back, how did you begin this life as an performer? Small history lesson…
Well, It was all a dream I used to read Word Up magazine…Salt’n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine Hangin’ pictures on my wall…nah, just kidding…but it definitely has always been my dream to perform and sing for others…I was just telling my producer WillPower the other day that I cant remember when I “began” wanting to do this – this is all I’ve ever known, It’s all I’ve ever wanted consistently …boyfriends come and go, jobs come and go, but this thing has been with me forever. My mom used to make me perform little parts of movies and songs for her friends during parties and I loved it; there’s nothing like performing for a drunk crowd!
Which artists in particular made have made an impact on you? And what is it about them?
Anita Baker, Sade, Ace of Base, Whitney, Madonna…the 80s R&B is so classic – my mother used to play it and, sentimentally, I value it for that reason as well. ACE of Base – my fave Euro group – I lived in Italy for years so I came to appreciate Ace of Base, Madonna.
Wiz Khalifa & Chevy Woods – Middle of You ft. Nikkiya
When was it that you began to believe you could make writing and performing into a serious career, or was that the goal from the very beginning?
I never ever thought of this as a serious career until recently – doing features with Wiz and Tech N9ne – surreal, out of body experiences! So it’s just hitting me now that, not only is my work dope enough to coexist with artists that are “on”, but I can actually make a pretty penny! #starvingartistdaysareover #praiseJesus =)
How did you hook up with SupaHotBeats and the Slumerican family?
Supahotbeats is all I’ve ever known; it’s like a first love relationship – all my firsts have been with SupaHotBeats…I guess you can say they took my musical virginity! I recorded my first studio records with Supahot, did my first shows with Supahot, made my first musical duckets with Supahot, etc etc. 10 years ago an ex-boyfriend that was locked up told me to find WillPower if I wanted to do music and I did; the rest is history.
Yelawolf – Speak Her Sex ft. Nikkiya
Explain a typical Nikkiya studio session? (…if there is such a thing is a typical session)
Wow, jammin beats blasting – I LOVE my music LOUD as hell when I’m in a session!!! It’s like I wanna drown in the beat, I wanna breath the music, all I want to feel is me and the music…so usually it’s just me and Will Power in the room, because we’re the only ones that can stand the beautiful pressure!
We’ve heard you feature on tracks with Yelawolf, Tech N9ne, Wiz and a few others, did you get to be in the studio with them, or does Will take your pre-recorded parts to them?
I always work with Yela and Tech live and direct; me and Wiz be on that 2000-and-next shit you know…mp3in’, emailin’ and whatnot. But with Yela and Tech, it’s always organic, like some Motown meets A-town shit…WiLLPower is the new-school Berry Gordy slash Quincy! So he’s always in producer mode!
Tech N9ne – Promiseland ft. Nikkiya
How did the Emilio Rojas sessions go?
Fun! He’s a clown, me and my team are clowns so it was fun times!!!
Anyone that you’d especially like to work with in the future?
Missy Elliott
What’s the news on your own solo, SpeakHer? What can we expect from that?
Speakher will be an excellent representation of everything I am – love, war, street, humble, unsure, wild, crazy…funky, fun. SpeakHer stays in no particular lane, it’s all over the place, but it is so very genuinely me – I guess that means I’m a fockin wreck *inmybritishvoice* ! But it will be totally smashing!
Will there be some sort of warm up project, or you guys going to jump straight into the full length?
We’re about to start droppin songs one-by-one…
Can you speak on any label situation as of yet? Would you rather keep it independent or get involved in a major situation?
No comment *lipssealed*
Nikkiya – When I Was High
On some tracks I’ve heard, there’s a slight darkside to their sound, is that just me, or something that you’ve aimed for?
It does seem that I’m coming with some darker stuff – but ive been working with rappers – I mean, have you seen a smiling-ass-rapper lately!?! So this dark stuff is not on purpose!. Honestly though, for rappers and myself, the music is a natural product of life ya know? Life is heavy and dark sometimes and being a musician/artist it’s my job/ our job to translate that stuff [into music]. But there’s hope my friend! love is life as well and I have some of that coming down the pipe,too!
You recently had your showcase, how’d that go?
It was crack!!! Superdope!!! Got lots of love in a packed house! It was another surreal out of body experience. My brother Wolf came and stamped the situation, I had lots of musical peers there to support…it was such a blessing. PS – I snapped and put on fah my city!!!
Nikkiya Atlanta Showcase
Any plans on going overseas yet, or you just going to keep it Stateside for now?
Definitely headed overseas…God willing, we’ll be there 2012
Is there any British acts that you’ve been feeling lately?
I love love love Duffy! And M.I.A….and I’d be deaf and dumb if I didn’t absolutely adore Adele! #Wecouldahaditaaaaalll!!!
A question I ask everyone, if you could form a supergroup of musicians who’d be included?
WillPower, Dre, Timbaland, Missy, Nikkiya, Lady GAGA
Any last words?
Yep! Im super blessed and humbled to be doing this. The best is yet to come and I thank you for listening to me babble about how crazy I am! SpeakHer…coming soon so stay tuned doll! #GShiT
Nikkiya – Cheater
