May 7, 2023
Copyright infringement cases are very much on the rise in the music industry. Recently, Ed Sheeran was on the receiving end of one. Fortunately for him and the music industry as a whole, he won. Who
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April 28, 2023
Artificial Intelligence (aka AI) is not a new thing. It has been used for various purposes like social media algorithms and Siri on your phone. However, for the first time, AI is being used in
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April 28, 2023
From Kidz Bop idol to R&B and pop singer, Kiana Ledé has fully planted herself within the music industry. The release of her latest single “Jealous” featuring Ella Mai adds to her growing achievements
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April 23, 2023
In the past few years, the K-pop culture has experienced a number of suicides, which has devastated the Korean entertainment industry. Sulli from f(x), Jonghyun from SHINee, Goo Hara from KARA, and
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April 20, 2023
Since SZA has released her latest album ‘SOS’, it has made a lot of buzz in the music industry. The album has received positive reviews for its combination of R&B, pop, and hip-hop and featured.....
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April 20, 2023
With K-pop bands like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, and SEVENTEEN, Korean music has been on the rise over the past ten years. But Korea’s music culture doesn’t stop there....
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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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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.
