Today we’d like to introduce you to Naïka.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My background is heavily influenced by so many unique cultures that have played a colossal role in shaping me and my music. I was born in Miami but only moved there when I was 16. Before then my parents and I were moving around the world every 4 years for my dad’s job. We went from living in the Caribbean, to a small island in the South Pacific called Vanuatu, then we moved to Kenya, France, South Africa… My parents’ upbringing has also been very influential in my life. My mom is very connected and tied to her Haitian roots and my dad is French, born and raised in Madagascar. Growing up, my parents were always listening to music in the house, but it was never mainstream music. I actually only started discovering legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder when I got to college (love him, respect!).
I grew up listening to all kinds of world music because that’s the music my parents always play: Caribbean, African, Latin-American, Middle-Eastern… I also started discovering different musical styles on my own, and at a really young age I became fascinated with opera music. I would drive my mom mad blasting out and singing to opera cassettes. Then as a young teenager my obsession turned to pop music and I was idolizing Britney, Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé, Usher… It was during this phase that I realized I really wanted to be a singer. When I moved to the US around the age of 16, I started taking voice lessons and doing showcases at school and around Miami. In my last 2 years of high school I started writing and performing my own songs. Later I was accepted into the well-known Berklee College of Music in Boston, which really helped develop my understanding of music. I’ve been spending the last few years shaping and establishing myself as a world-pop artist, which is why you’ll always hear some “world music” influences in my songs!
Please tell us about your art.
I am a singer and songwriter. I am heavily invested in the songwriting in my songs, because it’s so important to me that my music is genuine and that it reflects who I am. I always want to spread positivity through my music, and want the listener to feel it from within. I think this is one of the most magical feelings that music can bring to someone, and I’m really grateful to be able to offer that to people. I hope that my music can transport people, while feeding their curiosity about the beautiful world that’s out there. I think traveling and learning from other cultures is one of the greatest educational tools. When you travel, you open your mind and soul and learn a lot about the world but also about yourself. This openness to me is what creates unity amongst people, because people understand each other instead of fearing each other. My biggest motivation and inspiration are for my music to bring people together no matter where they are from, how they look or the color of their skin.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I don’t think the role of the artist will ever change regardless of what is going on in the world. Art has always played a crucial role in society since the beginning of mankind, and through the changes it will remain of huge influential importance. What has changed, is the way technology affects our world today. Social media has given everyone and anyone a platform to express themselves and be heard, and as a result we have a much wider variety of artists which is so great, but it can make it even harder to stand out from the crowd.
I‘m a very sensitive person and I feel things very deeply, so I get really affected when I hear about catastrophes that are happening around the world. A great way for me to channel that energy is through writing. I have a song called “Before He Falls” that you can find on my YouTube page.
I wrote it after watching footages of the bombings in Syria, and they showed Omran Daqneesh, a little boy who was pulled into an ambulance after his house fell apart. It was devastating to see that this little boy who just lost everything didn’t even cry, and this is a life that people are living and enduring right now as we speak. I think music is an amazing way to spread awareness and make an empowering statement. Every artist should challenge themselves to take responsibility and make a difference.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can hear my music on all streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal…). You can also find more music on my YouTube and Facebook page. To follow my updates and releases you can follow me on Instagram @naikamusic!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.naikamusic.com
- Instagram: @naikamusic
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/naikamusic
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/naikamusic
- Other: http://www.youtube.com/naikarichardmusic
Image Credit:
Jennifer Stenglein
Elsa Kostic
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