Rising ICON #25: Nikki Jean
What name do you prefer to be called?
Nikki Jean
What are your pronouns?
She/her
Where did you grow up?
All over the place really. . I was born in St. Paul, but lived in DC a few times before I was out of Middle School and went to high school in Pittsburg, PA ( that's Picksburgh if you're native)
What city are you currently based in?
I split my time between St. Paul and Los angeles.
How do you typically introduce yourself to new people?
I usually lead with a question. . . Like. . How are you today? What brings you here? Have you ever thought about eschatology? or how wild the overlapping concepts of equifinality and multifinality are?
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?
I'm curious. I love to learn more. . My goal is to learn wherever I go.
Who do you help?
Well. . we're all one. So any helping that I may actually accomplish ultimately serves to also help myself. Anyone that I may be considered to help, is helping me. . they're growing me. Hopefully we're helping each other. Ultimately, none of us are free, until we're all free.
What are you building now?
Tough to say. I endeavor to build the confidence and resilience of the young people I'm fortunate enough to come in contact with. If they trust themselves just a little bit more as a result of our interaction, that's a good foundation.
What were you building ten years ago today?
Sandcastles (Jimi Hendrix style of course)?
What do you predict of yourself 10 years from now?
No predictions. I don't like being wrong in print.
What’s a fact or statistic you wish everyone knew about your industry?
The most talented people I know have never had careers in the music industry. That's not to say that the people who are successful in the industry aren't extraordinarily talented. They're talented plus. . a number of other things. . talented plus a support system. . talented plus good habits. . talented plus pro social. Commercial success isn't necessarily a measurement of artistic success. That doesn't take away from the many good people who are commercially successful. . just to those artists who never win a grammy or sell a million records. . You might still be awesome.
Why do you believe the work you do matters?
Matters to who? It matters to me.. when I get to work with the youth at Passageways (The Link) or am a part of getting Narcan to thousands of fans, that ultimately goes on to save a life. You don't know when you start. You plant a seed and you water it. You can't control the weather. So it matters to me that I'm doing work that lights me up. That's the compass.
Who is your mentor and what is the best advice they’ve given you?
I've received two overriding pieces of advice that guide me through every situation: 1. By the late and great Ronnie Drayton, master guitarist, and my first musical director "There's more than one way to play a G Chord". It's that equifinality again. There's more than one way to get where you're going. . If one way isn't working, try another. 2. By the late. . and also great. . the Legendary Reggie Ray, costume designer, Howard University Professor, Icon, and affectionately my daddy. . . at least he called me his daughter, and I'm honored still. . his advice was simple and pointed. . "Figure it out." The power of it is in his deep knowing that I was able to figure it out, not a belief, but deep knowing that I was capable. . and the demand that I live up to that.
What piece of content about you or your company are you most proud of?
Get Free This. I love these women. I love us. This "micro - doc" premiered at the UN in 2019.
What publication do you hope to appear in next?
Chile. . . I don't care. Honestly, I think a more politically correct answer may serve but. . I stay at home and mind my business, do my work. Look at me soundin like an ol' church lady, but. . that's what this question brought out of me. . the older I get the more my elders sayin. . "I can't be bothered" resonates with me. I don't HOPE for publicity. I hope my efforts generate change. . and that change inspires folks. . when folks are inspired they talk about it. . so whether my name is a part of it or not. Inspired young people, inspired artists, folks who didn't die of an opioid overdose. . to bastardize Gil Scott Heron, what comes next will may not be televised.
Who would you love to be interviewed by?
Oprah. Is this everyone's answer? I feel like I would learn so much about myself. Plus. . I mean, it's Oprah.
If you had to give a TEDTalk tomorrow, what would the title be?
The Secret Life of Songs
What award would mean the most to win?
Man. . if you REALLY care about winning awards. . you have to also care about NOT winning awards. So I prefer to focus on the work.
What makes zero sense to you?
Ear Muffs. I'm sayin. . If it's cold enough for you to be THAT concerned about your ears, give your whole head some love. Also, sleeveless hoodies? I like fashion as much as the next person. . with that said. . as the bard would say "less art, more matter" when it comes to actual cold weather gear.
What’s a word in your industry you hope gets re-evaluated?
Community. Like the word love. . it means so many different things to different people that it becomes a tool in an agenda rather than something that actually communicates. Are we talking about a geographic community, a demographic community, an artist community, a fan community. . . companies have "Community Engagement" programs. .and check off a box and move on. It's accepted because it's a catchall phrase that doesn't require intention other than to do good for some unspecified group of people.
What game are you changing?
Oh snap. I don't know. I like to look at how we, at Rhymesayers, can leverage our position to make an outsized impact. We're a small label, but how can we use that to our advantage to instigate change.
What’s the next thing you’re a part of that you want to invite more people to participate in?
Three things.
1. Get Narcan, carry it with you, give it to young people in your life like our parents embarrassedly gave us condoms. You can get it at CVS or Walgreens over the counter. Maybe you never need it. . but think how glorious that will be compared to needing it and watching someone die in front of you.
2. If you are in leadership in a small business ( or tight with people who are), consider extending your parental leave program to include foster parents. Foster children are truly all of our children. Most foster children who get adopted, do so from their foster placements. Think about it. . this just makes sense. Learn more how to quickly and easily make your workplace foster friendly here.
3. Listen to great songs. . fall in love with songs. spare a thought for the brilliant folks who wrote them.
Where can we follow you online?
just email me. nikki@rhymesayers.com
What’s one thing that makes every leader better?
Compassion and curiosity. (two things. . sorry)
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We’re grateful to each Rising ICON for their transformative work. Thank you, Nikki, for sharing your story!
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“I like to look at how we, at Rhymesayers, can leverage our position to make an outsized impact. We’re a small label, but how can we use that to our advantage to instigate change. ”
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