NIKI Talks Opening For Taylor Swift & Growing Up on YouTube | On The Rise | Harper's BAZAAR

Summary

NIKI shares her journey from growing up in Jakarta to becoming a rising music star, highlighting key moments like opening for Taylor Swift at 15 and connecting with fans through YouTube. Despite initially pursuing college, she took a leap into her music career, eventually signing with 88rising. Her work, especially the album *Zephyr*, resonates deeply within the Asian community, inspiring fans who see themselves in her. Now, NIKI is working on her debut concept album, *Moonchild*, focused on self-discovery and growth as an artist, striving to motivate others to chase their dreams.

Takeaways

• 😀 Niki's journey into music began with a deep love for singing, influenced by her mother's involvement in church music.
• 😀 At 18, Niki identified herself as a 'singer-singer' and began her professional music career, despite initial family concerns about her choice.
• 😀 Her first major break came when she won a Taylor Swift contest at age 15, leading to a life-changing performance experience.
• 😀 Niki started her YouTube channel to share her experiences and original songs, receiving support from fans who resonated with her music and journey.
• 😀 Despite initially planning for college, Niki's music career took off when she signed with 88rising after releasing the song 'See You Never.'
• 😀 The song 'Zephyr' marked a pivotal moment in her career, establishing a global audience and strengthening her connection with fans, particularly within the Asian community.
• 😀 Niki dreams of collaborating with Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift's music video director Joseph Kahn, citing their work as inspirations.
• 😀 Performing live at 88rising's Head in the Clouds festival was a defining moment for Niki, as she saw thousands of fans who looked like her, celebrating shared heritage and culture.
• 😀 Niki's upcoming debut album, 'Moonchild,' is a concept album that explores themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the journey of its titular character.
• 😀 Niki's career is driven by a constant desire to improve and outdo her past work, with a strong focus on motivating young Asian faces to pursue their dreams.

Q & A

What role did NIKI's family play in her music career?

Initially, NIKI's family didn't fully support her decision to pursue music professionally because they didn't understand the industry. However, after a few conversations, they came to understand her passion and aspirations.

How did NIKI’s experience with Taylor Swift influence her career?

Winning the Taylor Swift contest and performing at her concert at the age of 15 solidified NIKI's love for performing. The experience helped her realize that she enjoyed entertaining large crowds and sparked her desire to pursue a career in music.

What motivated NIKI to start uploading videos on YouTube?

NIKI started uploading videos on YouTube after her performance with Taylor Swift when people began expressing curiosity about her, her songs, and her experiences. She initially posted updates and later shared original songs, which helped her connect with her audience.

What was NIKI’s original plan before she got involved with 88rising?

Before joining 88rising, NIKI planned to follow the traditional route of attending college and earning a degree. However, after releasing 'See You Never' and getting the opportunity to work with 88rising, she chose to pursue her music career full-time instead.

How did NIKI's song 'Zephyr' impact her career?

The release of 'Zephyr' was a turning point in NIKI's career. It helped her establish a global audience, particularly within the Asian community, and led to an overwhelming positive response, solidifying her place in the music industry.

What does the album title 'Zephyr' symbolize?

The title 'Zephyr' is derived from the Greek word for 'west wind.' While NIKI did not intend for it to have this specific meaning initially, it ended up symbolizing her journey westward to the U.S. and the global expansion of her audience.

Who are some of NIKI's dream collaborators?

NIKI expressed a desire to collaborate with Kacey Musgraves and the creative team behind her album 'Golden Hour,' particularly Daniel and Ian. She also mentioned Joseph Kahn, who directed several of Taylor Swift's music videos, as a dream director for her music videos.

How did NIKI feel about her performances at the Head in the Clouds festivals?

NIKI described her performances at the Head in the Clouds festivals as career-defining moments. Seeing thousands of fans who looked like her and celebrating Asian culture and heritage was an incredibly fulfilling experience for her.

What is NIKI’s upcoming album, 'Moonchild,' about?

'Moonchild' is NIKI's debut concept album, which follows a titular character's journey of self-discovery. Unlike her past work, which focused on young love, this album explores personal growth and her experiences as an artist and human being.

What is the core message NIKI wants to convey to her fans?

NIKI aims to motivate young Asian faces around the world to pursue their dreams, no matter what those dreams may be. She emphasizes that anything is possible and wants to inspire her fans to follow their passions, just as she did.