Nikkole (Exclusive Interview)
Tell me a little bit about your background. Where are you from and how did you get started in music?
I’m Creole and I was born in North Carolina, but I’ve lived in Los Angeles for almost my entire life. I grew up singing within the church with my brother and cousins. We loved singing and performing together so much, that we even put on concerts for our family during the summers, built stages, choreographed the show, and promoted it, we were ALL in, LOL!
What is your vocal range?
I have a five-octave vocal range
When did your professional career begin and how did it happen?
I began writing songs at the age of 6, and my brother Wallace Hall and I produced our own demos and started submitting them to labels a few years after that. We caught the attention of several producers, James Carmichael (The Commodores, Atlantic Starr), Keith Diamond (Billy Ocean, Donna Summer) Lee Young, Sr. (Teena Marie, The Emotions - a major veteran in the industry), and he introduced us to Wanda Vaughn (The Emotions) and her husband Wayne Vaughn (The Brother’s Johnson, Earth Wind and Fire). They loved what we were doing and brought us into their family right away. We grew up hanging out at their home and studio with them and their kids (we felt like we were their kids too). Went to sessions, and eventually wrote material for The Emotions (never released)...but still sounds dope to this day. I was also modeling simultaneously and saved all of my money which afforded me the ability to produce and release my first album “Appearances” independently on my own label. That album went on to win the Best Album award with Virgin Free Radio out of 25,000 independently released albums.
What challenges do having your own independent label have?
Owning your own label takes complete focus and fierce dedication. The challenge comes in being able to balance being an artist and a businesswoman in succession. Being able to make smart business decisions based on facts and not desires. As an artist, that can be difficult at times to weigh what works financially as opposed to what you see artistically.
In your opinion, what does it really take to “make it” in this business?
I feel in order to make it in this industry no matter what level you want to reach, you must have: talent, drive, thick skin, a ferocious work ethic, manners, and the ability to think outside of the box.
In your opinion, what's the best and worst part of being an independent artist?
The best thing about being an independent artist is having the ability to release art that you love and are connected to. The worst part at times is having to shoulder all the responsibilities as a major label would. I’m blessed at this point as an artist and label owner to have an incredible team, and partners such as my brother Wallace Hall.
Have you ever released a song that you really thought would be a major success, but it didn’t do as well as you expected? Tell me about an experience you had like that.
To be honest, I feel most of my songs have the potential to be incredibly successful. As industry people know, it’s all about the promotional budget. That’s hugely what makes the difference. I felt my song, “Love Was Made In Heaven” from my album “Creolepatra” had and still has the legs to be a major hit. There is also a live version with my friend's saxophone extraordinaire Everette Harp.
Do you have a daytime job or is music your full-time job?
No, music is my full-time gig...my LIFE!
How important is it that your friends and family support your music by purchasing and downloading your single? How crucial is their support for the success of your career?
It’s tremendously important to have support from friends and family. Their shares and love not only help from an emotional standpoint, but if they can share major artists’ work, then they should be sharing with the people they know 20 times as much! It’s all about helping to build a brand, and create name recognition and all of this support helps more than they may realize.
How do you feel about the concept of likes and dislikes on an artist's social media music-related post? In your opinion, is that an accurate assessment of the artist's talent, worth, or ability?
I don’t think it’s necessary to have likes and dislikes on someone’s art on social media. I mean IF you don’t like the music, then don’t listen to it...you don’t have to diss it. Everything isn’t to be scored like a game, especially not art! It boils down to that person’s opinion not the true meaning of the work.
What have people who have heard your music say about your vocal style that sets you apart from other vocalists?
I think because I grew up in a household filled with all types of music, that influenced my “genre-bending” style. Most people are shocked at the feel and range of my voice and always comment on my bright and soulful tone.
If you can speak to your fans from your heart and tell them one important thing that you want them to know about being an independent artist, what would it be?
I would like to thank my fans for staying with me on my musical journey. I can’t tell them enough how I appreciate them buying my music, coming to my shows, and sending me such incredibly heartfelt messages about what my music, words, and voice does for them! That is a blessing that I don’t take for granted.
What advice would you give to new artists entering the changing industry?
I always tell new artists that are coming into the industry to be willing to work like never before, be resilient, dedicated, and care about their art. Last but not least, DO NOT surround yourself with yes people. Also keep your day ones close, the ones who can tell you what’s up and not sugarcoat the truth.
If you can speak to DJs from your heart and tell them one important thing that you want them to know about being an independent artist, what would it be?
I feel like most DJs I come into contact with understand that being an independent artist means that you have to work twice as hard to get that airplay and on-air interviews. There is a handful that may not understand our complete journey, so I would like those select few to do a little more research on the independent artists before doing the interview. So that it can be more in-depth and informative to interest listeners who aren’t as familiar with your work.
How would you describe your music to those who have never heard it before?
My music is always based on R&B roots, but as I mentioned before I love genre-bending. So my music always ends up being Soulfully commercial with the vibe.
Do you write and produce your own music?
I do write and produce. I also love collaborating with other artists and producers too.
What does it really feel like to be an Independent Artist? Share your heart with our readers.
I enjoy the freedom of being an independent artist. I enjoy the fact that I don’t have to sell my ideas to executives that may not understand my art form. I’ve been doing this long enough to understand what’s commercially viable and artistic at the same time. The hardest parts come in more on the business side and having to deal with aspects of that world that like any job can be frustrating at times. But, in the end, hard work and dedication always pay off.
How do you prepare yourself mentally for public opinion (either positive or negative) when you’re preparing for a new song release?
I always know you’re going to have people that love your work, and ones that don’t. That is the nature of what we do. I feel as long as I keep putting my heart and soul into what I do, it will be felt. Regardless of if it’s that person’s cup of tea. As a creator, you must be able to release what you do with love. Knowing that at the end of the day it will be experienced as it was intended universally.
Have you ever felt so discouraged in this business, for whatever reason, that you just wanted to throw in the towel?
Yes, I have. As a human being sometimes you feel tired of the process, and all it takes to gear up for projects. But thankfully I don’t stay in that frame of mind for long. I know innately this is a part of my DNA and nothing will ever change that.
How many singles/albums do you have out presently and what is your favorite album/song to date?
I have 5 studio albums and 17 singles and remixes
Tell me about your latest album/ song and what was your inspiration behind it. Is it out now and where can people buy it?
My latest album Vulnerable is dearest to my heart out of all of my projects to date. Working with such an incredible Producer, Leon Sylvers III on this outing really strengthened my storytelling with realness from my own experiences. He helped me reach other sounds in my voice that I always wanted to share on recordings. This enabled me to bring emotions out that are normally only shown in intimate situations. My first single “All Mine”, has reached 5 million streams collectively so far. With remixes from (Dave Aude, Bryce Wilson, Moto Blanco, StoneBridge, Dave Matthias, Aaron G. West, and Leon Sylvers). The second single “We Can Make It If We Try” is a duet with Leon Sylvers IV (the son of producer Leon Sylvers III. The single is currently #4 on The US Indie R&B Chart.
