Tunes Tuesday: GIRLS WHO ROCK Artist Nikki Jean
GWR Social Media Coordinator Shante caught up with #GWR2011 artist Nikki Jean. The singer discussed what three women she thought rocked the most, how her education has helped her career and what she would be doing if she wasn’t Nikki Jean, the singer.
Shante: How has your education helped you in your career?
“I think having a real love for the act of learning. Starting with not knowing something then acquiring that skills, gives you the sense to achieve. Teachers were my biggest role models and installed so much confidence in me that I can’t imagine where my life would be without them and without my education.”
Can you name three women to you that rock?
”Nona Hendryx, love Nona, of course Ms.Carole King, one of my collaborators, my absolute hero. And my mom rocks!”
What are you the first in your family to do/achieve?
“Oh wow. That’s a good question. In terms of college, I come from a long line of accomplished women; the women in my family are pretty amazing. I am the first to have the luxury of pursuing their dream without the necessary of taking care of their family. They’ve accomplished great things while under the gun. I was the first person in my family to say “I want to do this, there is no safety net” and they supported me.”
What is the best piece of advice a woman has given you in regard to your career?
“Never give up. Its sounds so simple, but it’s true. And don’t let good be good enough. If it’s not your best, then back to the drawing board.”
So you currently live in Philly right now, but you are from St. Paul, Minnesota, what are the differences between both cities?
“I love both cities. Philly is so urban and close to NY. The beautiful thing about Minnesota, not only did I grow up there, with the nicest people and the country, my family’s there, so that would be the biggest difference being far from home.”
So you’ve worked with some great musicians! From Bob Dylan, to Lupe Fiasco and songwriter Lamont Dozier. How was it working with them?
”In each of those cases, there are people who are legendary. All three are geniuses in their own right. It was definitely an honor and privilege to do any work with them, grateful to have had the opportunity. It was really a learning experience.”
What artist would you like to collaborate with in the future?
”Smokey Robinson or Dolly Parton”
What type of musical background do you have?
“I started out taking lessons.I still take lessons, you’re never too old to learn something and get better at what you do. I started at six years old and have been taking musical lessons my whole entire life.”
When did you discover your passion for music?
“When I was five, I watched the Irving Berlin 100th anniversary special on TV. I remember thinking how amazing it was! Here was his 100th birthday, but it was new to me and it was magical and that’s when I knew I wanted to be a songwriter.”
When did you write your first song and what was it about?
“I’ve always written songs, but the first song I remember writing was when I was 11 or 12. “Childish Games” is what it was called and I decided to throw a bunch of games in it (hide and seek, cops and robbers)”
What is the most interesting thing a fan has ever told you?
“I had a fan send me a picture of my lyrics they had tattooed on their arm. I was like wow! What made you do that? It moved me man.”
If you weren’t Nikki Jean the performer, what would you be doing?
“I would be a nurse. My grandmother, godmother and five of my cousins that are nurses. It’s in my family and I think I would be good at it. I love being in hospitals, I know it’s weird but I feel so at home. Plus you wear scrubs all the time, so helping and wearing scrubs, would be a great job.”
To learn more about Nikki Jean, check out her blog and follow her on Twitter @NIKKIJEAN !
Filed under: regular, Tunes Tuesday by shante
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