Profile and Career Journey of NIKI, From Ever Appearing on 'Dahsyat' to Holding a World Tour - Accidentally Going International!

Kapanlagi.com - Written By: Reza Ahmad Zahid

The name NIKI is certainly familiar to music lovers in Indonesia. The musician, whose real name is Nicole Zefanya, has caught attention with her melodious voice and catchy songs. She loves music and started writing songs at the age of 9, Klovers!

NIKI has a string of impressive achievements. In 2018, she joined the American music agency 88rising along with other Indonesian musicians like Rich Brian. Since joining in 2018, she has produced many hit songs that are loved by various groups.

Another achievement she has is being the first female musician to perform at the Coachella music festival in 2022. This year, NIKI will release her third album titled BUZZ on August 9, 2024. She also has the opportunity to go on a world tour for this third album, BUZZ World Tour, which will start on September 15 and visit various countries in North America and Australia.

1. Early Career Journey of NIKI

Portrait of NIKI (Credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

NIKI, or her real name Nicole Zefanya, is the eldest of three siblings born in Jakarta on January 24, 1999. She enjoys R&B music from the mid-90s, such as the group Destiny's Child, influenced by her mother, Julia Josephine Tangkau.

NIKI started learning to play the guitar at the age of 9. Nicole Zefanya's name began to rise when she regularly uploaded cover videos and her own music on YouTube while she was still in school. Take A Chance With Me is one of the songs she wrote when she was 15 years old.

In addition to that song, NIKI has also sung her songs titled Autumn, Anaheim, Ocean and Engines, and others, which she uploaded on her personal YouTube channel. The YouTube account has gained 40,000 subscribers. Unfortunately, she has deleted all her old videos. Some cover videos and performances of her original songs can still be found on the internet.

2. Once Became the Opening Act for Taylor Swift's 'The Red Tour' Jakarta

Portrait of NIKI (Credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

This internationally acclaimed singer of Manado descent turned out to have been the opening act for Taylor Swift's 'The Red Tour' concert in Jakarta in 2014. At that time, she was only 15 years old. Nicole Zefanya got this opportunity by winning the Cornetto Ride to Fame competition, which was a collaboration between Cornetto ice cream and 'The Red Tour'.

Playing her small guitar, Nicole Zefanya performed a duet with Stan Isakh. In that moment, Nicole sang several songs including Kim's I'm in Love, Ello's Masih Ada, and Mari Awali Hari Dengan Cinta, which was one of her early singles.

3. Once Performed on the Music Show Dahsyat.

NIKI's Portrait (Credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

NIKI began her music career with a song titled Awali Hari Dengan Cinta which she performed as the opening act for Taylor Swift's 'The Red Tour' in 2014. The song was her first release in the same year under Sony Music Entertainment Indonesia label.

Two years earlier, in 2012, NIKI appeared as a guest star on the music show Dahsyat. There, NIKI still used the stage name Nicole. She collaborated with Gavin MJ to perform their collaboration single titled Suka Kamu.

4. Joining 88 Rising Agency Through Rich Brian's Invitation

Portrait of NIKI (Credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

During her school years, NIKI was productive in writing a song. Her songs titled Polaroid Boy and Anaheim were independently released in 2016 and 2017. After graduating from Pelita Harapan Lippo Village School in Tangerang, NIKI continued her studies in Nashville, United States. There, she deepened her knowledge about music at Berklee College of Music.

Rich Brian, the singer of Dat Stick, who had already joined the music agency 88rising, invited her to join after seeing a video that NIKI uploaded on her personal YouTube page. Rich Brian immediately contacted the singer of the song Anaheim to join the agency.

5. Included in Forbes Asia 2020 30 Under 30 List

Portrait of NIKI (Credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

In 2020, NIKI had the opportunity to be included in the 30 Under 30 Asia list. The list consists of individuals under the age of 30 who are influential in their respective fields. In this list, NIKI is included alongside other Indonesian musicians, such as Isyana Sarasvati.

NIKI's name started to rise in 2020. Her releases began to be popular among the Indonesian and international public. At the age of 21 in 2020, NIKI released a studio album titled MOONCHILD which includes 10 hit songs, including Switchblade, Selene, and Lose.

6. Having a Writing Hobby, NIKI Actually Wanted to Become a Journalist, Klovers!

Portrait of NIKI (Credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

In an interview conducted by Najwa Shihab in 2020, NIKI expressed her interest in languages since she was young.

"I always want to write songs, since I was little I've been really interested in writing anything, writing any kind of work. My favorite class was language class, English, Indonesian, I really love languages," said NIKI.

She also once aspired to become a book writer or even a news journalist. However, she is still happy being a musician because she can combine her passion for writing and music.

"Actually, from the beginning I wanted to be a writer, I wanted to be a book writer, a journalist, but in the end, this is like the great happy medium because I can combine my love for music and writing," she continued.

7. Contributing to the Soundtrack of Marvel Film 'SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS'

Portrait of NIKI (Credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

NIKI also had the opportunity to contribute to the soundtrack of one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films titled SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. The song titled Every Summertime was uploaded on Marvel Entertainment's Youtube channel and has been viewed over 14 million times.

In addition to the song Every Summertime, NIKI also contributed to several other songs in the soundtrack album, including Always Rising featuring two other Indonesian musicians, Rich Brian and Warren Hue. Swan Song featuring Saweetie, and Clocked Out! featuring Audrey Nuna.

8. Performing at Coachella Music Festival

NIKI's Portrait (Credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

NIKI's proud achievement is performing at the famous music festival, Coachella. She became the first Indonesian female musician to perform at the festival held in California. She performed well on several songs such as Lose, Lowkey, La La Lost You, and one song from Andra and The Backbone, Sempurna.

NIKI admitted to feeling nervous when performing on the big stage. She also felt sad because of her longing for her late mother while performing the song La La Lost You. Her performance at Coachella garnered public attention as it was an achievement for Indonesia.

9. Productive in Producing Hit Songs

Portrait of NIKI (Credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

In 2014, NIKI released a song that she had performed as the opening act for Taylor Swift's 'The Red Tour' titled Awali Hari Dengan Cinta. While still in school, NIKI released the song Polaroid Boy in 2016. A year later, she delighted listeners with hit singles such as Anaheim, See You Never, I Like U, and Chilly.

In 2018, NIKI launched the mini album Zephyr. This album tells the story of young love and contains eight songs, starting with the hit song Vintage. She released her next mini album titled Wanna Take This Downtown? with the hit single Lowkey.

In 2020, NIKI released her first album titled MOONCHILD. With ten songs, this album features hit songs like Switchblade, Selene, and Lose. Two years later, NIKI released the album titled Nicole. This album includes many hit songs such as High School in Jakarta, Backburner, Anaheim, Autumn, Ocean and Engines, and Take A Chance With Me.

NIKI will release a new project this year. Her third album titled Buzz will be released on August 9, 2024. Not only that, NIKI will also hold a world tour titled 'Buzz World Tour' which will visit several countries in North America and Australia.

10. 'BUZZ World Tour' Begins in September This Year!

Portrait of NIKI (Credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

In addition to her new album, this year NIKI also made waves with the announcement of her world tour. The tour will begin on September 5th and will visit several countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand.

In this tour, NIKI will perform songs from her third album titled BUZZ which will be released on August 9th. This album is inspired by NIKI's life journey over the past few years. The tour will visit Jakarta on February 15, 2024.

Wow, there are so many achievements from this Manado-blooded musician. NIKI's hit songs are loved by young people because they resonate with their current lives.

(kpl/rzz)