ISINA Finalist Interview: Nikkie Ariel
Nikkie Ariel is a singer/songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. We spoke with her recently about her musical experience.
How did you feel when you first heard you were going to be a finalist for ISINA?
I screamed the moment I heard. I looked at the phone, I paused, I looked at it again, I was like, “Wait, what?!” And I looked at it again, I was like, “Thank God! God, thank you. Thank you.”
Are you excited to work with Walter Afansieff?
That, to me, actually is the most powerful thing about this, because I literally grew up listening to him. Like, he was legit the reason why I decided to become an artist, become a musician, go to art school. Mariah Carey is my favorite artist of all-time. She’s my biggest influence. And he worked on her first six albums which was like the catalyst for me as an artist. That was like my foundation, so for him to be interested in working with me, that is divine. Divine.
How would you describe your musical style? What genres fit you best?
I would say that I’m an eclectic artist because I don’t see myself fitting in a box. I have a very broad vision for myself and where I see myself going as an artist. My foundation, of course, would be R&B because I have a very soulful, sultry, very powerful voice, so I would definitely say I am rooted in R&B but I have the capability of expanding to multiple genres. Pop, obviously. Country. Even alternative rock. I see myself doing so much. Dance hall. Reggae. Very very eclectic. I feel like my voice can carry it through for sure and I’m excited to take this opportunity to [reach] new heights and kill it. Kill it with ISINA.
A lot of the inspiration for your music seems to be emotionality-based, relationship-based. Would you say that is the essence for your music or is there another inspiration for most of your music?
Something very impactful happened in my life in 2020. Very early 2020. I had a spiritual awakening. And that changed the course of my life forever. Before that experience, I used to write solely about hopeless romanticism. And that is me. I embody that very well. But now I feel like it’s evolved to not only unconditional love, but consciousness. Universal consciousness. Self-awareness. Evolution. Soul growth. Ascension. I am extremely aware of my reality. I know that each one of us has the ability to create our own realities but a lot of us aren’t confident in ourselves to tap into that source. But, in 2020, I really learned that I have that ability and that capability and I know that that’s the reason why I’m in this position now. Because I aligned with what was destined for me. And I’m proud to say that, honestly.
How long would you say that you have been professionally making music?
I ventured out in 2010, when I graduated from Laguardia Performing Arts in NYC. It’s been eleven years since I’ve been in the pursuit of a music career.
What do you do in your free time, outside of music?
That’s actually a great question, because lately I’ve just been very into: how can I better myself? How can I create the best version of Nikkie Ariel? And I actually want to get into dance. Because I know this is going to be all about my development as an artist. Growing. What my goals are. Where do I see myself? That kind of thing. And I see myself as a multifaceted artist. And I’m using the tools that I have garnered through my spiritual ascension to kind of tie in everything and tap into the things that I wasn’t confident in before, and use those tools to empower myself. Telling myself, “Okay, you may not have been born with this gift.” Because I’m not a natural-born dancer, at all. But I do have rhythm. And I do have the faith and confidence that that’s something I can be incredible at. So, right now, at this stage in my life, I’m all about manifesting whatever it is that I desire. And betterment. Self-development. Just being the best that I can be.
ISINA Team
