Today we’d like to introduce you to Niko Noir.
Hi Niko, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Music has always run in my family, being the niece of the late Samuel George from the Capitols my dad always surrounding me with music by taking me with him to studio sessions. I’d always be a fly on the wall sulking in all of his greatness and talent. Eventually, those talents rubbed off on me around the tender age of 8. I even spent time with my grandmother, who would very often sing around me as well. I would always annoy my family, singing all the time around the house. It wasn’t until I got to middle school that I tapped more into songwriting and poetry. My music teacher at the time would give us songwriting assignments, and I’d always be the first to finish and excited to shyly share with the class. Shortly after I attended Detroit School of Arts and learned more about harmonies, vocal pedagogy, and musicality overall thanks to my mentors Cheryl Valentine and Connie Harton Malabed. To this day I’m grateful for them because they taught me so much even outside of music. I find myself utilizing techniques that they’ve instilled in me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being an artist was not a smooth road for me at first. After graduating high school, I experienced a lot of self-inflicted expectations and worry because I knew that just pursuing music wouldn’t pay the bills. Attending college and being creative is next to impossible, eventually, I realized I was giving my all to my plan B before I even took a crack at my plan A which is pursuing music and being an artist/songwriter. This newfound perception is the reason why I was able to release my debut EP, “Blame Niko.” It’s the very reason I’m able to say I’m proud of all that I’ve achieved and the many more endeavors to come.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an artist, performer, songwriter, vocal producer and some would even say, producer in general but that’s something that I’m working on. I’m most proud of my work ethic. I have a passion for music overall, but R&B is where my heart is. I enjoy making music with no boundaries when it comes to emotions. Music nowadays feels so impassive, mostly because we have so many distractions from said emotions. I would love to bring back that feeling and show people that showing any emotion whether that be anger, sadness or happiness does not make you weak or a nuisance.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Detroit is the culture and the pride we have in our culture. You can spot a Detroiter even outside of Detroit. I also love how creatively diverse we are, there are so many scenes to be a part of you just have to know who to be around. What I like the least is how superficial we can be. We’re big on showboating but that’s also included in our culture as well. We genuinely believe we’re celebrities, and there’s nothing wrong with that as long as it doesn’t make others around you feel less than.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niko.noir/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/uniquesings/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NIKOxNOIR
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC3sp2EAwa0TZnt7wsXiqhg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/callherniko
Image Credits
Scuba Keef
Drezzign
Niko Noir
Vytality Visions
