Nieko Nicole A 19 year old singer, songwriter, Indie artist, rap artist, engineer, producer, entreprenuer and CEO of her own label ’88 keys Entertainment’, had a love for music early on and from the age of 13 began taking her talent seriously enough to develop it into a profoundly dynamic and independent talent-filled artist she is today.
Born and raised in West Los Angeles, California, where she attended Hamilton High School and Simultaneously attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. where she Enrolled in recording and engineering classes. The inspiration to create 88 Keys Entertainment was developed before her senior year.
She has released several dynamic mixtapes and is well on her way to dropping more great music. Her first mixtape entitled, “The Come Up”, is a resume’, it displays the artists singing, writing and rapping expertise. Her second mixtape entitled, “MISFIT”, was released on New Years Day 2014, a project she developed and created independently. November 2014 proved to be an extremely productive and successful year for Nieko Nicole, she released a third project entitled, “I Am The Apex Predator”.
Every effort and ounce of energy went into the development of this mixtape. As it will prove to be her most creative project yet. It shows the flexibility, versatility, dedication and elevated performance level that Nieko Nicole has aparently, independently acquired and in such a short time, 6 years. Moreover, it will ‘prove that she is definitely in the game for the long run.’ The featured track ‘Disconnect’ is essentially a ‘break-up’ song.
The unique vocalization that is displayed by Nieko Nicole is powerful and energetic kind of reminds me a little bit like Rhiana. However, clearly this new artist is performing at a rate equal to if not surpassing those skills of Rhiana. The introduction of ‘Disconnect’ is vocalized in a manner in which it sounds as though perspective communication efforts are dulled and the response “… Feeling like we breakin’, breakin’…I think we should disconnect…” , (the male vocals), is distorted.
Giving the creative manner of the ‘sound effects’ of ‘lack of communication’ or what ‘lack of communication’ may sound like. Grounds for “disconnecting” with whomever, one is communicating with. “…I think we should disconnect… out of respect…” the chorus is sung and is straight forward and to the point. No time to waste. Nieko Nicole is one outstanding independent and well organized recording artist and performer. Overall, the quality of the track is clear, the vocals are ‘in effect’ intentionally distorted to represent a separation of hearts as well as communication.
The instrumentals behind the track are modern and are in accordance with indie and pop music. It can also be categorized as R&B right along with the hip hop genre and is in the latter case, exclusively what listeners desire to hear. Look forward to more Amazing music from this outstanding artist Nieko Nicole. She is ready to make a statement to the mainstream hip hop music audiences and produce to perform truly amazing music for her fans to enjoy accordingly. I am sure that her music will spark a new era of creative lyrical poetry and be played and heard nationwide and internationally in the future.
By Linda Dawkins
Follow Linda on Twitter! @lindadz89
Exclusive Interview:
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Nieko Nicole: I grew up in West L.A. My father was a music producer so I’ve always been around and have had a love for music. I’ve always been around the creation of music. It’s something that’s so natural. Something I can’t stay away from. So I kept myself around it. Started writing. Started creating. I took recording and engineering classes at Musicians Institute during the summers of my high school years. I was doing musicals, anything that involved music. I started engineering and my passion really grew for the sound of music. It just is. Being a musician or an artist is who I am.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Nieko Nicole: My alias wasn’t hard to come up with at all. It’s just a shortened version of my name, which is Tanieko, and my middle name is Nicole. As for the company name, 88 Keys Entertainment, 88 Keys represents the keys on the piano, real music, and the possibilities of sound.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Nieko Nicole:I feel that online music sharing is essential to the music game. It gives it that raw edge. There’s a lot of competition out here. And there’s nothing better than a good ole mixtape and making people feel good with your music. Letting your fans grow with you while building up your fan base. I’ve dropped 3 mixtapes, “The Come Up”, “Misfit”, and recently, “I Am The Apex Predator”. They were all free and a lot of hard work and good music was put into them. I wanted people to hear me and get to know me while I put in the work to build. The least I can do is give my fans, and perspective fans, good music. Now when I finally hit this market hard, then I’m all sells. And it’s all me.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Nieko Nicole:Some advice I would give for the new artists would be to stay humble. Every artist has a starting point and we all have to pay our dues. Be out there looking for opportunities instead of thinking they will come to you. And when an opportunity comes, take it whether it’s big or small. Do it because you love it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Nieko Nicole: Yes, mistakes happen. No big deal. I just try not to make it obvious. Luckily I have a little freestyle skill under my belt so playing it off comes naturally. Whatever you do, keep going.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Nieko Nicole: I haven’t been on tour yet. I do various shows in the city. And I’ve put on my own shows with other talents opening as well. But I haven’t put together an official tour yet. Nothing too crazy happens but I do deal with janky promoters, thirsty guys, and technical difficulties. Once you start moving up and making a name for yourself those issues start to fade away.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Nieko Nicole:For me song writing comes easy. I personally believe, either you have it or you don’t. It’s not something that can be taught. The beat is my motivation. It carries the song writing process and brings out emotion.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Nieko Nicole: I have a website for my company, www.88keysentertainment.com , it’s still being worked on but it’s up. My music is there and company details. You should take a look. My first two mixtapes were shared on Hot New Hip Hop. My current mixtape, I Am The Apex Predator, is sponsored on Datpiff. You can also check out my FB @ Nieko Nicole to keep up with everything I’m doing and follow me on Instagram and Twitter @NiekoNicole.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Nieko Nicole: I have a lot of music from when I first started making music and engineering. You could say I’ve come a long way.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Nieko Nicole: I would take my day ones somewhere beautiful first off and getting making sure the fam is straight and buying a house. Then I would splurge on studio time and working on the perfect project with all exclusive beats and make it all happen. The music won’t stop.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Nieko Nicole: Engineering is my forte so wherever I am I always have my home studio. I work out of protools. I have a nice keyboard and a piano. Some good studio gear. There’s always room for more and better. But working with other engineers is beneficial in so many ways. I like recording in this studio, Chalice Studios in Hollywood with my engineer David Yungin Kim.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Nieko Nicole: If your music is good you can get it out there. We hit the streets with my music and try to put it direct in hand. I get magazine placement, radio interviews, and enter different contest with my music. We are doing shows heavy and I’m trying to reach out to other states and globally so I can start doing shows outside of my city. Set up a real tour. I’m also on all of the social media sites that I keep pretty active.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Nieko Nicole: It would be at a big stadium like the Staples Center with Nicki Minaj. She’s a dope artist with a lot of grind and is on it business wise. I would gain a lot from it.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Nieko Nicole: Right now I’m focused on promoting my latest project, “I Am The Apex Predator”, mixtape. And getting out here getting heard and grabbing up a lot of new fans. I will start working on my EP soon. It will have all original and exclusive material. It’s a big project for me that I’ve been wanting to do for a while.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Nieko Nicole: That feels strange to even think about because it’s more than just a profession. It is whom I am. So even if not making money I’d be making music. My other love was medicine so I think that would be the field I would be in to make money. And it’s still a field of passion.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Nieko Nicole: The first album I purchased. No, I can’t say I can recall who’s that was.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Nieko Nicole: Music actually keeps me focused and motivated to do all the things that I need to do. All of my responsibilities revolve around music in my mind. Even if it’s working to take care of myself. Ultimately, it’s so I can get what I need to make music. My goals make me stay up longer than most to handle the day to day and create my music. My musical goals give me the drive and energy to do it all.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Nieko Nicole: I’m hoping 2015 will bring bigger things. Bigger crowds, bigger fan base, and bigger pockets. With all of this happening my fans can look forward to seeing more of me and in better venues and amazing product for them to listen to, dance to, love to, and live to. Let me make you happy thru sound as it makes me happy.
