April 8, 2023
In October 2019, member of the K-pop group Monsta X, WONHO, faced allegations of drug usage, resulting in his departure from the group. Fans were disheartened by the news of him leaving and wondered..
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April 1, 2023
Songwriters, composers, and publishers have long been underpaid when it comes to the live concert industry. However, a successful court case may be the first step to changing that.....
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March 28, 2023
Society has always placed a high value on music. As technology starts to become more part of our lives, social media and music platforms have become more and more prominent in the music business....
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March 28, 2023
The Latin GRAMMY Awards are changing it up this year for songwriters! On March 21, 2023, The Latin Recording Academy released a press release announcing various additions and changes to the awards...
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March 22, 2023
Even if you haven't heard of NewJeans yet, there's a good chance you'll soon be humming along to their infectious tunes. The Korean pop group is quickly gaining international attention and breaking..
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March 31, 2023
Even if you don’t know who Max Martin is, you’ve definitely heard his songs. Hit-pop songs are kind of his thing after all. Martin first stepped into the music world in 1985 as a frontman for....
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March 18, 2023
The Filipino-Canadian duo from Vancouver has been releasing new tracks left and right, and they are known for their most streamed songs on Spotify, “Timezones,” and “Silver Skies.” Previously .......
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March 17, 2023
The singer, songwriter, and actress Miley Cyrus has recently released a record-breaking song called “Flowers” in January 2023. This song recites her 10-year long relationship with her ex-husband....
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March 4, 2023
Men I Trust is a Canadian indie pop band known for their dreamy and mellow sound. Their music is laid back, incorporating elements of funk, disco, and R&B to create a smooth and groovy vibe that is
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March 3, 2023
Artists like Kaytranada have proved that you don’t need access to a professional recording studio to create well-produced music. As technology and social media have advanced, it is now easier than eve
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February 25, 2023
People draw inspiration from others when forming their ideas, it’s a fact of life. Sampling in music is no exception - and artists do it for a variety of reasons. Traditionally, copyright laws and
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Nicole Zefanya, known professionally as NIKI, has carved a unique space for herself in the contemporary music scene, transforming from a self-made YouTube artist into a history-making star. Her journey is not just one of personal triumph but also a narrative that adds new dimensions to the global music landscape.
Born and raised in Indonesia, NIKI grew up with aspirations that seemed distant from her immediate reality. The absence of mainstream artists who mirrored her own experiences did not deter her; it fueled her. Teaching herself to play guitar and write songs, NIKI opened for Taylor Swift at just 15, marking the beginning of a self-styled journey that would take her music to billions worldwide.
NIKI’s second album, "Nicole," is a poignant exploration of her identity. Described as a journey from her upbringing to the present, the album pays homage to her roots while showcasing her evolution as an artist. "During the pandemic, I did an audit of my life and my music," NIKI revealed in an interview, emphasizing a deep connection with her early works that still resonate with her. This introspection led to the re-recording of songs from her YouTube days, bridging her past with her newfound artistic maturity.
The crafting of "Nicole" was a meticulous process, blending organic alt with nostalgic pop to create a sound that’s distinctly NIKI. Her songwriting process is a blend of spontaneous melody freestyling and deliberate lyricism. "I start with a lyric bank... and start singing random melodies," she shared, highlighting the organic nature of her creative process.
Her inspirations are as diverse as her music, citing Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers among her formative influences, while also acknowledging the impact of R&B and artists like Beck on her sound. This eclectic mix of influences has helped NIKI develop a unique sound that defies traditional genre boundaries.
Reflecting on her upbringing in Jakarta, NIKI credits the vibrant, unjaded spirit of her homeland and its musical environment for shaping her artistic sensibilities. Her experiences have informed not just her music but her approach to life and art, embracing emotions in all their complexity. "I am a serial feeler," she confessed, underscoring her belief in the power of feeling as a source of artistic authenticity.
NIKI’s rise has also been marked by significant milestones, such as being the first Indonesian artist to perform at Coachella and selling out her first solo arena show in Manila. These achievements are not just personal victories but milestones for Asian artists on the global stage.
Yet, amidst her international acclaim, NIKI remains deeply connected to her roots, highlighting the importance of representation and the transformative power of music. As she continues to explore and expand her musical horizons, NIKI remains a figure of inspiration for youths; not just for aspiring artists but for anyone seeking to authentically navigate the complexities of identity and creativity in a rapidly changing world.
In her music and her story, NIKI’s music embodies the journey of self-discovery, the struggle for representation, and the triumph of artistry over adversity.
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