From the vibrant community of Bottom Questelles to the bustling music scene of the Caribbean, Nikkie Pierre’s journey as a soca artiste is one of passion, perseverance, and undeniable talent. Asberth News Network had the pleasure of sitting down with Nikkie to delve into her musical roots, her inspirations, and her dreams for the future.
Nikkie’s musical journey began in Campden Park, where her older brother, an aspiring artist, would often sing and create music with his friends. “I was always around them, adding my ideas and just being in the mix,” she recalls with a smile. It was her brother who first noticed her talent, encouraging her to take music seriously. “He heard me sing one day and told me I had what it takes to really do this thing. That’s when I started getting more involved with music, recording in studios and honing my craft.”
Music runs in Nikkie’s family. Her late uncle, a guitarist, played with a small band, leaving a lasting impression on her. Despite her deep love for soca, she has also explored reggae and dancehall crossover. “I consider myself an artist without a label, but my love for soca music remains strong.”
Nikkie’s musical influences are as diverse as her talents. From Zola and Destra Garcia to Alison Hinds, Nadia Batson, and the iconic Amy Winehouse, she draws inspiration from a wide range of artists. Her career took off when she started singing with Gotta and the band Hottsand, owned by Adrian Bailey. “From there, I kept going, performing with Knetik and a few other bands outside of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
Her big break came with the hit song “Pepper,” produced by Mark Cyrus and written by herself. “All the kids loved it. When I performed the song at schools and other functions, it was clear that people were paying closer attention to my talent,” she reminisces.
Nikkie’s songwriting process is impressively intuitive. “I like to be in a good headspace. Once the beat is good, it takes me less than 15 minutes to come up with a concept,” she explains. Drawing inspiration from daily life experiences, Nikkie enjoys telling stories through her music. Although she doesn’t play any instruments yet, she plans to learn the keyboard, an instrument she’s always been interested in.
Currently, Nikkie is busy with collaborations and preparing visuals for an upcoming non-soca track. She hints at an exciting collaboration with two artists and a track produced by the daughter of Beres Hammond. “In the next five years, I see myself being internationally recognized and very successful in my music career.”
Balancing her music with her other passions, Nikkie is also a dedicated hair stylist and makeup artist. “When I’m not making music, I’m focusing on my craft. I also love spending time at the beach with friends,” she says. A huge dog lover, Nikkie reveals she has four dogs that she adores.
Through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, Nikkie stays connected with her community. “I want my music to convey messages of independence, consistency, and love. I aim to create songs that people of all ages can enjoy.”
Reflecting on the current state of the music industry, Nikkie acknowledges both the positive and negative changes. “Vincy music and artistes are evolving. Change is inevitable, and as an artist, you have to stand by your work and adapt,” she says. She hopes for greater recognition of female artists in the future.
Nikkie is optimistic about the future of soca music. “Soca is life. I see it growing and gaining more global recognition. I believe it will become one of the biggest genres in the near future.” Her advice to aspiring artists is simple but powerful: “Stay focused, stay consistent, and believe in yourself. Don’t be afraid to take the stage and put yourself out there.”
When asked about her dream performance, Nikkie’s eyes light up. “If I could perform anywhere in the world, it would be at the Caribbean Music Awards. It’s an important event that celebrates soca music, and performing among the top soca artistes is definitely at the top of my list.”
As our interview draws to a close, Nikkie shares an interesting fact about herself. “I’m a huge dog lover. It took me a while, but now I have four dogs that I love dearly.”
With her unwavering passion and dedication, Nikkie Pierre is undoubtedly a rising star in the world of soca music, and we look forward to seeing her continue to shine on the international stage.