Niki (singer)

"NIKI" redirects here. For other uses, see Niki (disambiguation).

Niki
Niki performing at the 2023 Head in the Clouds Festival New York
Born
Nicole Zefanya

(1999-01-24) 24 January 1999 (age 24)
Jakarta, Indonesia
Alma mater
[1][2]
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Musical career
OriginJakarta, Indonesia
GenresPop, R&B, Indie folk[3]
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • ukulele
  • keyboard
  • piano
Years active2017–present
Labels
Websitenikizefanya.com

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

A multi-instrumentalist, Niki wrote or co-wrote her own songs. She is the most popular Indonesian female artist on Spotify with over 2.5 billion streams. She has seven songs with over 100 million streams on the platform, including "Lowkey" and "Every Summertime".[4] In 2020, Niki was listed among Forbes magazine's list of 30 Under 30 Asia.[5]

Early life

Niki was born on 24 January 1999 and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. At nine years old, Niki taught herself how to play the guitar.[6] At 13, she began writing original music.[7] Although her music is partially influenced by her mother, who exposed Niki to soul, gospel, and 1990s' R&B like Destiny's Child and Aaliyah when she was young, Niki's earliest original music skewed towards the folk and indie genres.[8][9][10]

Career

At 15, she was the opening act for Taylor Swift's The Red Tour in Jakarta after winning a competition arranged by Swift and the ice cream brand Wall's, called Ride to Fame.[11] Niki maintained a YouTube channel throughout her teenage years, on which she uploaded original songs and covers, which were eventually released on Spotify under her birth name.[12][13]

In 2017, Niki moved to Nashville, Tennessee to study music at Lipscomb University.[1][2] She released two singles, "See U Never" and "I Like U"[14] under the American mass media company 88rising as an artist under their label.[15] She released the song "Vintage" in May 2018 as the first single for her debut extended play, Zephyr.[16]

On 24 April 2019, Niki released a visualizer of her single titled "lowkey,"[17] which became one of 88rising's most popular videos on its Youtube channel.

In September 2020, Niki released her debut album, Moonchild.[2] In December 2020, Niki released "Hallway Weather", a holiday single.[18][19]

On 12 August 2022, Niki's second album, Nicole, was released.[20]

Influences

Niki's music was influenced by her favorite pop, folk, R&B and indie artists, including Taylor Swift,[21] Boyz II Men, Destiny's Child, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Kirk Franklin, and Aaliyah.[22][8][23] She grew up exposed to music as her mother sang church gospel music as a backup singer.[22] Niki has also said that she listens to and is influenced by all musical genres.[2] She cites growing up in Indonesia as influencing her worldview, and in turn, her music.[23]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with release date and label shown
Title Album details
Moonchild
  • Released: 10 September 2020
  • Label: 88rising, 12Tone
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Nicole
  • Released: 12 August 2022
  • Label: 88rising
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD, Vinyl, Cassette

Live albums

Title Album details
NIKI Acoustic Sessions: Head In The Clouds II
  • Released: 12 November 2019
  • Label: 88rising, 12Tone
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Live at The Wiltern
  • Released: 12 May 2023
  • Label: 88rising
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

List of EPs, with release date and label shown
Title Album details
Zephyr
  • Released: 23 May 2018
  • Label: 88rising, Empire
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Wanna Take This Downtown?
  • Released: 17 May 2019
  • Label: 88rising, 12Tone
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

List of singles, with year released and album name shown
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
IDN
Songs
[24][I] 		MLY
[26] 		MLY Songs
[27][I] 		NZ
Hot
[28] 		PHL
Songs
[29][I] 		SIN
[30] 		SIN Songs
[31][I] 		VIE
[32][II] 		WW
Excl.
US
[34]
"Awali Hari Dengan Cinta" 2014 — — — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Polaroid Boy" 2016 —
"Anaheim" 2017 — —
"See You Never" — —
"I Like U" — —
"Chilly" — —
"Newsflash!" 2018 — — — Zephyr
"Say My Name" — — —
"Friends" — — —
"Spell" — — —
"Vintage" — — —
"Dancing with the Devil" — — —
"Warpaint" — — — Head in the Clouds
"Lowkey" 2019 — — 24 — Wanna Take This Downtown?
"Indigo" — — — — Head in the Clouds II
"Shouldn't Couldn't Wouldn't" — — —
"La La Lost You" — — —
"Sugarplum Elegy" — — — Non-album single
"Switchblade" 2020 — — — — Moonchild
"Selene" — — — —
"Lose" — — — —
"Hallway Weather" — — — — Non-album single
"Every Summertime" 2021 2 9 11 11 3 11 14 56 181 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: The Album
"Split" — — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Before" 2022 — — — — — — — — — Nicole
"Oceans & Engines" 14 — — — — —[A] — — —
"High School in Jakarta" 2 6 9 — — 28 — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Guest appearances

Year Title Album
2018 "Little Prince"
(Rich Brian featuring Niki)[36] 		Amen
2019 "No More"
(Higher Brothers featuring Niki) 		Five Stars
2020 "Forever"
(End of the World featuring Niki) 		Chameleon
2020 "Iloveyoumorethanicansay"
(HONNE featuring NIKI) 		No song without you
2021 "Coming Home"
(HONNE featuring NIKI) 		Let's Just Say the World Ended a Week from Now, What Would You Do?

Tour

Headlining

Opening act

Awards and nominations

Award Year Nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
MTV Europe Music Award 2022 Niki Best Asian Act Nominated
[40]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d The Billboard's Hits of the World chart launched and was first issued on the date 19 February 2022.[25]
  2. ^ The Billboard's Vietnam Hot 100 was first issued on 14 January 2022.[33]
  1. ^ "Oceans & Engines" did not enter the RIAS Top Streaming Chart, but it peaked at number 28 on the RIAS Top Regional Chart.[35]

References

  1. ^ a b "NIKI and Rich Brian set to be the first Indonesians to perform at Coachella". Coconuts Media. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "BAEwatch: NIKI The 88rising artist talks about the concept behind her debut album, 'MOONCHILD.'". hypebae.com. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  3. ^ "SINDHÈN INTERVIEW: NIKI". 4 October 2017 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "Niki". Kworb. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  5. ^ "30 Under 30 Asia 2020: Entertainment & Sports". Forbes. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Indonesian singer Niki opened for Taylor Swift when she was 15 | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  7. ^ "NIKI interview: on Taylor Swift, Halsey tours and new EP 'Zephyr'". NME. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  8. ^ a b Harfenist, Ethan (14 November 2017). "We Talked to Indonesia's 'R&B Princess' NIKI About 'Going International,' and '90s Nostalgia". Vice. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Niki Zefanya: Not Stopping For Any One". Music Press Asia. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Check out 88rising's new R&B starlet, NIKI". lab.fm. 5 May 2018. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  11. ^ Bartleet, Larry. "NIKI: "Name one Asian artist that's popping right now. I want to be the girl that sets that up"". NME. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Nicole Zefanya". Genius. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Nicole Zefanya". Spotify. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  14. ^ "In The Studio with NIKI". milk.xyz. 1 January 2017. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  15. ^ Methanisa, Katyusha (29 September 2017). "Meet the Latest Indonesian R&B Singer Trying to Take Over the US". Vice. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  16. ^ "NIKI Reminisces About a Former Love in 'Vintage' Video: Premiere". Billboard. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  17. ^ "NIKI - lowkey (Official Visualizer)". Youtube. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  18. ^ @nikizefanya (14 December 2020). "'Hallway Weather' out tomorrow 🎄" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "Listen to NIKI's melancholic new Christmas song, 'Hallway Weather'". NME. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  20. ^ ""Nicole" is out everywhere now". twitter. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  21. ^ BEGUM, MUMTAJ. "Indonesian singer Niki opened for Taylor Swift when she was 15". The Star. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Niki's Debut Album 'Moonchild' Is Her Own Otherworldly Safe Space". W Magazine | Women's Fashion & Celebrity News. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  23. ^ a b "BAEwatch: NIKI". HYPEBAE. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  24. ^ "NIKI Chart History: Indonesia Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  25. ^ "Billboard Expands International Footprint With 'Hits of the World' Charts". Billboard. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  26. ^ Peak chart positions on RIM's Top 20 most streamed international & domestic songs in Malaysia: Peak chart positions on RIM's Top 20 most streamed international songs in Malaysia:
  27. ^ "NIKI Chart History: Malaysia Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  28. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  29. ^ "NIKI Chart History: Philippines Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  30. ^ Peak chart positions on RIAS Top Streaming Chart:
  31. ^ "NIKI Chart History: Singapore Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  32. ^ "NIKI Chart History: Billboard Vietnam Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  33. ^ "BXH Billboard Vietnam Hot 100: Số lượng ca khúc nhạc Việt "on top" gấp đôi nghệ sĩ quốc tế". Billboard Việt Nam (in Vietnamese). Purpose Media Group. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  34. ^ "NIKI Chart History: Billboard Global Excl. US". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  35. ^ "RIAS Top Charts - Week 28 (8 - 14 Jul 2022)". Recording Industry Association Singapore. 8–14 July 2022. Archived from the original on 21 July 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  36. ^ Maher, Natalie (30 January 2018). "Rich Brian reveals track list for debut album 'Amen'". Billboard. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  37. ^ Cung, Danie (5 June 2014). "Lautan Swifties di #REDTourJkt Taylor Swift di MEIS". Creative Disc. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  38. ^ Newstead, Al (26 March 2018). "Rich Brian announces debut Australian tour". Triple J. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  39. ^ Jones, Abby (26 March 2018). "Halsey Announces Final Installment of Hopeless Fountain Kingdom World Tour". Billboard. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  40. ^ "See the Complete List of MTV EMA 2022 Nominees". MTV EMA. Viacom International Inc. Retrieved 12 October 2022.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Niki (singer).