February 23, 2023
Tobias Jesso Jr. You may know his name from his 2015 solo album Goon. Or maybe from his work on various popular songs, such as “When We Were Young” by Adele and “Alive” by Sia. Or even from his rece
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February 23, 2023
HBO’s The Last of Us is arguably the hottest show out right now, receiving near universal acclaim from viewers and critics alike. This holds especially true for episode three: “Long, Long Time”.
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February 21, 2023
Folk singer. Songwriter. Canadian. Polyglot. All of these titles belong to Gina Lam, also known by her stage name Ginalina. In November 2022, she released her latest album titled Going Back: Remembe
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February 21, 2023
Rihanna is an illustrious artist. She is among the best selling female artists of all time, and was one of the greatest hitmakers of the 2000s and 2010s. She has since grown to become the richest...
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February 20, 2023
Streaming is now the driving force of the music industry, making up 84% of the industry revenue in the U.S. While streaming is much more convenient for listeners, many artists argue that it is near im
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February 23, 2023
Who is the greatest rapper of all time? Is it even possible to crown just one person? Well, Billboard and Vibe did exactly that. And, according to them, that person is Jay-Z. In honor of Hip-Hop’s
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February 18, 2023
Kaytranada (Louis Celestin) is a Haitian-Canadian record producer and DJ. He is a highly acclaimed electronic artist, having earned two Grammys and countless other awards for his work. Kaytranada has
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February 17, 2023
What happens when a famous music producer takes an interest in self-help books? The Creative Act is your answer. But who is Rick Rubin? Without a doubt, Rubin has an impressive track record in the
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February 14, 2023
The music industry is a place full of musicians, producers, and creators who have the magical ability to make those perfect sounds we hear everyday through our digital devices. We want to listen close
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February 14, 2023
What do popular video games franchises Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox all have in common? They were all produced and published by Nintendo, and the iconic music themes that you hear in...
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February 8, 2023
Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.
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February 8, 2023
“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are
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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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