Nikki Jean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nikki Jean
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Jean in 2019
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| Birth name | Nicolle Jean Leary |
| Born | August 25, 1983 Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2005–present |
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Nikki Jean, whose real name is Nicolle Jean Leary, is an American singer and songwriter. She was born on August 25, 1983, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Nikki Jean started her music journey as the lead singer of a band called Nouveau Riche. She became more widely known after working with rapper Lupe Fiasco on his 2007 album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. Her song "Hip Hop Saved My Life" with him was a big success. She still works with Lupe Fiasco often.
After spending two years writing songs with many famous writers like Bob Dylan and Carole King, Nikki Jean released her first album, Pennies in a Jar, in 2011. The album was liked by critics but did not sell as many copies as hoped. She then released three shorter music collections called extended plays (EPs): X-Mas EP (2013), Champagne Water EP (2014), and Beautiful Prison (2019).
Contents
Growing Up and Early Life
Nicolle Jean Leary was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on August 25, 1983. Her father worked for a government group that helps people, and her mother was a lawyer who helped workers. Nikki Jean became interested in writing songs when she was very young. She started learning to play the piano at age eight. Her mother loved folk music, which taught Nikki Jean how important it is to write lyrics that are easy to sing along to. She also enjoyed her mother's favorite artists, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder. Nikki Jean chose the name "Nikki Jean" in high school to stand out from others with the same name.
While attending Howard University, Nikki Jean met singer Nona Hendryx. Nona Hendryx suggested she listen to artists like Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro. This helped Nikki Jean learn more about how music is put together. She also studied acting during this time.
Nikki Jean's Music Career
Starting Out: Nouveau Riche and Lupe Fiasco
After finishing college in 2005, Nikki Jean was asked to perform at a party in Philadelphia. A member of the band The Roots, named Dice Raw, heard her playing piano. He asked her to join his new band, which was later named Nouveau Riche. Nikki Jean agreed and moved to Philadelphia. Nouveau Riche had five members and released two EPs between 2005 and 2008. As the lead singer, Nikki Jean helped write many of the band's songs. She also shared videos on her YouTube channel.
Nikki Jean was working with music producers who played one of her songs for rapper Lupe Fiasco. Lupe Fiasco then asked her to work with him. She sang on two songs for his 2007 album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool: "Little Weapon" and the popular single "Hip Hop Saved My Life". She also helped write "Hip Hop Saved My Life." After the album came out, she went on tour with Lupe Fiasco. Working with him helped Nikki Jean become more widely known. In 2008, Nikki Jean and Lupe Fiasco also opened for Kanye West on his Glow in the Dark Tour.
First Album: Pennies in a Jar
In 2008, Nikki Jean wanted to make her own solo album. She reached out to producer Sam Hollander, who had worked with Carole King. Sam Hollander suggested that Nikki Jean travel across the United States. The idea was for her to write songs with some of the "greatest songwriters" for her first album.
For two years, Nikki Jean wrote songs with famous writers like Carole King, Burt Bacharach, and Bob Dylan. Many of these writers were popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Nikki Jean felt that because she wasn't super famous yet, it was easier to work with these legends. She could approach them as a fan. Bob Dylan even let her finish a song of his called "Steel and Feathers (Don't Ever)," which he had started over thirty years before. Her album, Pennies in a Jar, was released on July 12, 2011, by S-Curve Records. She appeared on TV shows like Late Show with David Letterman and Tavis Smiley to promote her new music.
Music critics generally liked the album. However, the songs did not become big hits, except in Japan, where one song reached the Top 10.
EPs and More Collaborations
Later, Nikki Jean moved to Los Angeles. She released her X-Mas EP in 2013. In 2014, she was featured on Ab-Soul's song "World Runners." On October 22, 2014, she released "Champagne Water," the first song from her second solo EP. This EP, also called Champagne Water, came out on November 19, 2014. It had six songs that talked about important topics in society and life.
Nikki Jean also sang on several songs for Lupe Fiasco's 2015 album, Tetsuo & Youth. In February 2015, she, Lupe Fiasco, and The Roots performed "Little Death" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. She also appeared with Lupe Fiasco on the TV show Why? with Hannibal Buress in 2015. Nikki Jean continued to work with Lupe Fiasco on his 2018 album, Drogas Wave. In 2019, she released a seven-song EP called Beautiful Prison through Rhymesayers Entertainment. Lupe Fiasco was featured on one of the songs, "Mr. Clean." She also released a short film called Get Free.
Music Style and Influences
Nikki Jean is known for her soul and pop music. She often sings on hip-hop songs too. One writer described her as a mix of Carole King and Janelle Monae. Her album Pennies in a Jar had a pop and soul sound that reminded people of music from the 1960s to 1980s. Some critics said her songs had a modern hip-hop feel. They also described her voice as clear and powerful. Her 2014 EP Champagne Water discussed current issues in society. Nikki Jean has said that since she was a child, she listened more to songwriters than to singers. She felt that "Songwriters were my rock stars."
Discography
Albums
- Pennies in a Jar (2011)
EPs
- X-Mas EP (2013)
- Champagne Water EP (2014)
- Beautiful Prison (2019)
