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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Nicolle Jean Leary (born August 25, 1983), known as Nikki Jean, is an American singer and songwriter. She was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Nikki Jean first gained attention as the lead singer of a band called Nouveau Riche.
She became well-known after working with rapper Lupe Fiasco. She was featured on his 2007 album Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. Her song "Hip Hop Saved My Life" with him was a big success. She often works with Lupe Fiasco.
Nikki Jean released her first solo album, Pennies in a Jar, in 2011. She wrote songs for it with famous writers like Bob Dylan and Carole King. The album was liked by critics. Later, she released three shorter music collections called extended plays (EPs). These were X-Mas EP (2013), Champagne Water EP (2014), and Beautiful Prison (2019).
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Nikki Jean's Early Life
Nicolle Jean Leary was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Her birthday is August 25, 1983. Her father worked for a government aid group. Her mother was a lawyer who helped workers.
Nikki Jean became interested in writing songs when she was young. She started learning piano at age eight. Her mother loved folk music. This taught Jean how important it was to write lyrics that are easy to sing. She also enjoyed music from artists like Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder. She watched many old musicals. In high school, she chose the name "Nikki Jean" to stand out.
While at Howard University, Jean met singer Nona Hendryx. Hendryx told her to listen to Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro. This helped Jean learn about different ways to put music chords together. She also studied acting during this time.
Nikki Jean's Music Career
Starting with Nouveau Riche (2005–2008)
After finishing college in 2005, Nikki Jean was asked to perform at a party. This was in Philadelphia. A member of the band The Roots, Dice Raw, heard her play piano. He asked her to join his new band, the Disease. The band was soon renamed Nouveau Riche.
Nikki Jean joined the band and moved to Philadelphia. Nouveau Riche had five members. They released two EPs between 2005 and 2008. As the main singer, Jean helped write many of the band's songs. She also shared videos on her YouTube channel.
Working with Lupe Fiasco
Nikki Jean was working with music producers Chris & Drop. They played one of her songs for rapper Lupe Fiasco. Fiasco liked her music and asked her to work with him. She sang on two songs for his 2007 album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. These songs were "Little Weapon" and "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. A journalist from Billboard noted her singing and writing on The Cool. In 2008, Jean and Fiasco performed as opening acts for Kanye West's "Glow in the Dark Tour".
Her First Album: Pennies in a Jar (2008–2011)
In 2008, Nikki Jean wanted to make her own album. She looked for producer Sam Hollander. He had worked on Carole King's album. Hollander suggested that Jean travel across the United States. The idea was for her to write songs with "the greatest songwriters."
For two years, Jean wrote songs with many famous writers. These included Carole King, Burt Bacharach, and Bob Dylan. Many of these writers were popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Jean felt that not being super famous helped her. She could approach each writer as a fan. Bob Dylan even let her finish a song of his that was unfinished for over 30 years. This song was called "Steel and Feathers (Don't Ever)".
Jean first signed with Columbia Records. But they let her go in late 2010. They thought her music sounded "more mature" than they expected. Her album, Pennies in a Jar, was released on July 12, 2011. It came out on an independent label called S-Curve Records. She appeared on TV shows like Late Show with David Letterman to promote it.
Music critics liked the album. However, its songs did not become big hits, except in Japan. In Japan, one song reached the Top 10. Hollander later said he felt he had "failed Nikki" with the album's success.
Extended Plays and More Music (2011–Present)
Nikki Jean later moved to Los Angeles. She released her X-Mas EP in 2013. She also sang on Ab-Soul's 2014 song "World Runners". On October 22, 2014, she released "Champagne Water". This was the first song from her second solo EP. Ab-Soul was also featured on this song.
The Champagne Water EP was released on November 19, 2014. It had six songs. These songs talked about important topics like police shootings, heartbreak, and religion. Several producers worked on this EP.
She sang on several songs for Lupe Fiasco's 2015 album, Tetsuo & Youth. In February 2015, Jean, Fiasco, and The Roots performed "Little Death" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Jean and Fiasco also appeared on the TV show Why? with Hannibal Buress in 2015. Jean later sang on songs from Fiasco's 2018 album, Drogas Wave.
In 2019, Nikki Jean released a seven-song EP called Beautiful Prison. This was through Rhymesayers Entertainment. Lupe Fiasco was featured on the song "Mr. Clean". She also released a short film called Get Free.
Nikki Jean's Musical Style
Nikki Jean is a soul and pop artist. She often sings on hip-hop songs. Alison Stewart from The Washington Post described her music. She said Jean sounded like a mix of Carole King and Janelle Monae.
Her album Pennies in a Jar had pop and soul music. It reminded people of the 1960s to 1980s. This was the time when many of her co-writers were popular. Andy Kellman from AllMusic said her songs had a "modernized hip-hop spin." He also said Jean had a "quietly potent voice." Other critics called her voice sincere. Her 2014 EP Champagne Water discussed current social issues. These included police shootings and religion. Nikki Jean has said that she listened to songwriters more than singers when she was a child. She said, "Songwriters were my rock stars."
Discography
Albums
- Pennies in a Jar (2011)
EPs
- X-Mas EP (2013)
- Champagne Water EP (2014)
- Beautiful Prison (2019)
