Niki (singer) explained

Niki
Birth Name:Nicole Zefanya
Birth Date:1999 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Jakarta, Indonesia
Alma Mater:Lipscomb University
Module:
Embed:yes
Origin:Jakarta, Indonesia
Years Active:2017–present
Signature:Nicole Zefanya signature ("NIKI") repro.svg

Nicole Zefanya (born 24 January 1999), known professionally as Niki (stylized all caps), is an Indonesian singer-songwriter.[1] She is currently based in the United States and signed with the record label 88rising. She released her first full-length studio album, Moonchild, in 2020. It was followed by Nicole (2022) and Buzz (2024). Her debut headlining concert tour, Nicole World Tour (2022–2023), visited over 40 cities across North America, Asia, Australia, and Europe.

Niki has garnered global recognition for her songwriting and musicianship and is among the most popular female artists from Indonesia.[2] In 2020, Niki was listed among Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia.[3]

Early life

Niki was born on 24 January 1999, and was raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. Niki taught herself how to play and write music from a young age, after receiving her first guitar at 9 years old.[4] She attended Pelita Harapan School in Jakarta.

At 15, Niki won a contest to perform as the opening act for Taylor Swift's The Red Tour in Jakarta.[5] As a teenager, Niki maintained a YouTube channel, on which she uploaded original songs and covers, performed on acoustic guitar and filmed in her bedroom.[6]

Career

In 2017, Niki moved from Jakarta to Nashville, Tennessee, to study music at Lipscomb University.[7] [8] During this time, she released her first singles under the name Niki through the American record label 88rising.[9] [10]

On 20 July 2018, Niki appeared on the 88rising collaborative album Head in the Clouds, contributing 5 songs.

On 24 April 2019, Niki released single “lowkey”, leading into her second EP wanna take this downtown?.[11] In October 2019, Niki appeared on 88rising’s Head in the Clouds II. In support of the album, Niki released a live acoustic EP titled “Niki Acoustic Sessions: Head in the Clouds II”.[12]

On 2 April 2020, Niki released single “Switchblade”, and announced her debut full-length album Moonchild.[13] This was followed by subsequent singles “Selene” and “Lose”.[14] Moonchild was released on 10 September 2020. In support of the album Niki premiered a livestream concert titled Moonchild EXPERIENCE, which aired 10 October 2021, on YouTube and KASKUS TV.[15] On 15 December 2020, Niki released a holiday single titled “Hallway Weather”.[16] [17]

On 10 August 2021, Niki released “Every Summertime”, the lead single from Marvel Studios’ official soundtrack to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Niki contributed 4 songs to the soundtrack, which was released 3 September 2021.[18]

In April 2022, Niki made her debut appearance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and became, alongside labelmate Rich Brian, the first Indonesian artists to perform at the festival.[19]

On 3 June 2022, Niki released the first single from her sophomore album Nicole, titled “Before”.[20] This was followed by the announcement for her debut North American tour, titled The Nicole Tour. Subsequent singles from Nicole include “Oceans and Engines” (released 8 July 2022) and “High School In Jakarta” (released 5 August 2022). On 12 August 2022, Nicole was released.[21] Vanity Fair contributor Delia Cai wrote that Nicole is "a sonic time capsule of a breakup album that explores heartache in perhaps its most devastating form."[22] NPR discussed Nicole on its All Songs Considered podcast and stated "Something Niki does really well is get to the emotional heart of the matter."[23]

Alongside the album, a short film titled But I’m Letting Go starring Niki and Peter Adrian Sudarso and directed by Isaac Ravishankara was released through Amazon Prime Video on 18 August 2022.[24] The short film was supported by screening events in Los Angeles, New York, and Jakarta. In October 2022, Niki announced the Asia leg of The Nicole Tour.[25]

In April 2023, Niki appeared on the cover of Vogue Singapores "Pop" issue.[26]

In May 2023, Niki released Niki: Live at The Wiltern, her first live album. Alongside the release, she announced expanded tour dates for The Nicole Tour, which included festival performances at Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, and headline shows across North America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Australia.[27] On 31 May 2023, Niki made her debut appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts series, performing 3 songs from Nicole and "Every Summertime." NPR writer and editor Stephen Thompson wrote that the set had him “swaying, swooning and swimming in high hopes.”[28]

On 12 January 2024, NIKI released single "24" which she wrote in attempt to synthesize her early twenties and many humbling things she has learned before turning 25.[29]

On 3 May 2024, NIKI released "Too Much Of A Good Thing" which would the lead single for her upcoming third album, Buzz.[30] This was followed by the announcement of The Buzz World Tour (2024-2025).[31] Subsequent singles includes Blue Moon (released on 21 June 2024) and Tsunami (released on 26 July 2024). Buzz was released on 9 August 2024.

Discography

See main article: Niki discography.

Tour

Headlining

Opening act

Awards and nominations

Award ceremony! scope="col"
YearCategoryNominee / WorkResult
MTV Europe Music Award2022Best Asian ActNiki

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Niki on Spotify . 6 January 2024 . Spotify . en . 13 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230913074404/https://open.spotify.com/artist/2kxP07DLgs4xlWz8YHlvfh . live .
  2. Web site: Niki. Kworb. 10 January 2024. 10 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240110154141/https://kworb.net/itunes/artist/niki.html. live.
  3. Web site: 30 Under 30 Asia 2020: Entertainment & Sports . 26 October 2023 . Forbes . en . 12 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231012101117/https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2020/asia/entertainment-sports/ . live .
  4. Web site: Indonesian singer Niki opened for Taylor Swift when she was 15 The Star. 5 February 2021. www.thestar.com.my. 27 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220527041203/https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2019/07/17/indonesian-artiste-niki-taylor-swift. live.
  5. Web site: 88rising’s Niki Is Owning Her Past — And Taking a Cue From Taylor Swift Billboard. 1 January 2024. www.billboard.com. 6 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240106231437/https://www.billboard.com/music/features/88rising-niki-new-album-nicole-2022-interview-1235122439/. live.
  6. Web site: 88rising’s Niki Is Owning Her Past — And Taking a Cue From Taylor Swift Billboard. 1 January 2024. www.billboard.com. 6 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240106231437/https://www.billboard.com/music/features/88rising-niki-new-album-nicole-2022-interview-1235122439/. live.
  7. Web site: Niki and Rich Brian set to be the first Indonesians to perform at Coachella. Coconuts Media. 3 January 2020. 3 January 2020. 16 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200116001957/https://coconuts.co/jakarta/lifestyle/niki-and-rich-brian-set-to-be-the-first-indonesians-to-perform-at-coachella/. live.
  8. Web site: BAEwatch: Niki The 88rising artist talks about the concept behind her debut album, 'Moonchild.'. hypebae.com. 2 May 2018. 7 May 2018. 19 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919161738/https://hypebae.com/2020/9/niki-nicole-zefanya-88rising-moonchild-album-release-indonesian-rnb-emerging-artist-musician-los-angeles-interview. live.
  9. Web site: In The Studio with Niki. milk.xyz. 1 January 2017. 20 November 2017. 18 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200618152647/https://milk.xyz/articles/in-the-studio-with-niki/. dead.
  10. Web site: Meet the Latest Indonesian R&B Singer Trying to Take Over the US. Vice. 29 September 2017. Katyusha. Methanisa. 11 June 2018. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141328/https://www.vice.com/en_id/article/a3k4ke/meet-the-latest-indonesian-randb-singer-trying-to-take-over-the-us. live.
  11. Web site: Niki's Single 'lowkey' Could Be the Summer's Sweetest Hookup Anthem. Vice. 24 April 2019. Edoardo. Liotta. 6 January 2024. 6 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240106234341/https://www.vice.com/en/article/xwnxqk/nikis-single-lowkey-could-be-the-summers-sweetest-hookup-anthem. live.
  12. Web site: Niki Strips Back to Bare Her Heart in 'Acoustic Sessions: Head In The Clouds II'. Ones to Watch. 13 November 2019. Matthew. Rudas. 6 January 2024. 6 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240106234342/https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/niki-strips-back-to-bare-her-heart-in-acoustic. live.
  13. Web site: Niki Shares How ‘Switchblade’ Opens The Universe Of Her Concept Album ‘Moonchild’. Forbes. 2 April 2020. Jeff. Benjamin. 6 January 2024. 6 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240106234341/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2020/04/02/niki-new-single-switchblade-concept-album-moonchild-interview/?sh=5171e39d2c58. live.
  14. Web site: Niki Shares How ‘Switchblade’ Opens The Universe Of Her Concept Album ‘Moonchild’. NME. 13 August 2020. Daniel. Peters. 6 January 2024. 6 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240106234341/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/niki-unveils-video-for-lose-sets-release-date-for-moonchild-album-2725865. live.
  15. Web site: Moonchild EXPERIENCE, Niki to present livestream concert. Jakarta Post. 6 October 2020. 6 January 2024. 26 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221226014646/https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2020/10/06/moonchild-experience-niki-to-present-livestream-concert.html. live.
  16. 1338321985542082561. nikizefanya. 'Hallway Weather' out tomorrow . 14 December 2020.
  17. Web site: 15 December 2020. Listen to Niki's melancholic new Christmas song, 'Hallway Weather'. 5 February 2021. NME. en. 8 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210308125927/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/listen-to-nikis-melancholic-new-christmas-song-hallway-weather-2838257. live.
  18. Web site: 7 September 2021. Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings' Album Is More Than A Movie Soundtrack. 6 January 2024. Teen Vogue. en. 7 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240107001033/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/shang-chi-and-the-legend-of-the-ten-ringss-album. live.
  19. Web site: 8 May 2022. 88rising’s Niki Is Owning Her Past — And Taking a Cue From Taylor Swift. 6 January 2024. Teen Vogue. en. 6 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240106231437/https://www.billboard.com/music/features/88rising-niki-new-album-nicole-2022-interview-1235122439/. live.
  20. Web site: Niki Shares Single, 'Before,' and Music Video. 4 June 2022. BroadwayWorld. en. 6 January 2024. 7 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240107001033/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Niki-Shares-Single-Before-and-Music-Video-20220604. live.
  21. Web site: "Nicole" is out everywhere now. 12 August 2022. twitter. en. 14 February 2022.
  22. Web site: 18 August 2022. The Pop Power of Niki’s Very Recent Nostalgia. 10 January 2024. Vanity Fair. Delia. Cai. en. 28 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230328074626/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/08/the-pop-power-of-nikis-very-recent-nostalgia. live.
  23. Web site: 12 August 2022. New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 12. 10 January 2024. NPR. en. 10 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240110154140/https://www.npr.org/2022/08/11/1116930935/new-music-friday-the-best-releases-out-on-aug-12. live.
  24. Web site: 18 August 2022. But I'm Letting Go. 6 January 2024. Amazon Video. en.
  25. Web site: 16 May 2023. Niki announces globe-spanning ‘Nicole’ world tour. 6 January 2024. Surej. Singh. NME. en. 7 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240107001033/https://www.nme.com/news/music/niki-nicole-world-tour-2023-dates-tickets-3444089. live.
  26. Web site: 3 April 2023. Niki on her exhilarating music journey and what ties her to home. 10 January 2024. Amelia. Chai. Vogue Singapore. en. 10 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240110154140/https://vogue.sg/niki-cover/. live.
  27. Web site: 31 May 2023. Niki: Tiny Desk Concert. 10 January 2024. Stephen. Thompson. NPR. en. 29 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230929215024/https://www.npr.org/2023/05/31/1178801301/niki-tiny-desk-concert. live.
  28. Web site: 23 June 2023. Niki delves into live album 'Live at the Wiltern', her sonic evolution and tour. 6 January 2024. Malvika. Padin. Earmilk. en. 7 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240107001034/https://earmilk.com/2023/06/23/niki-delves-into-live-album-live-at-the-wiltern-her-sonic-evolution-and-tour/. live.
  29. Web site: News . GMA Integrated . 2024-01-12 . NIKI gets real about mid-twenties struggles in new single '24' . 2024-08-17 . GMA News Online . en.
  30. Web site: 2024-05-03 . NIKI’s Slinky Single ’Too Much Of A Good Thing’ Heralds Her New Album . 2024-08-17 . UPROXX . en-US.
  31. Web site: Grimes . Navier . 2024-05-14 . NIKI Announces Biggest World Tour To Date 40+ Markets Across North America, Europe, UK, Asia, Australia + New Zealand . 2024-08-17 . Live Nation Entertainment . en-US.
  32. Web site: Lautan Swifties di #REDTourJkt Taylor Swift di MEIS. 5 June 2014. Creative Disc. Danie. Cung. 11 June 2018. 23 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200623104939/http://creativedisc.com/2014/06/lautan-swifties-di-redtourjkt-taylor-swift-di-meis/. live.
  33. Web site: Rich Brian announces debut Australian tour. 26 March 2018. Triple J. 11 June 2018. Al. Newstead. 13 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180813122022/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/rich-brian-annnounces-2018-tour/9586270. live.
  34. Halsey Announces Final Installment of Hopeless Fountain Kingdom World Tour. Abby. Jones. Billboard. 26 March 2018. 11 June 2018. 20 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200620032951/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8260970/halsey-announces-hopeless-fountain-kingdom-tour. live.

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