Gowhere Hip Hop is proud to present an EXCLUSIVE interview with none other than Nikki Jean! Nikki Jean is an upcoming singer/songwriter, who gained national attention with her featured vocals on the critically acclaimed album, Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool! In addition to her collaborations with Lupe Fiasco & another notable collaboration with DJ Deckstream, Nikki Jean is also 1/2 lead singer of a hip-hop/rock band Nouveau Riche (the other half is Dice Raw of The Roots) and an actress in the award-winning Indie film On The Outs! We were fortunate enough to correspond with Nikki Jean via e-mail and we discussed everything from her various talents in music and film to GWHH’s favorite artist Lupe Fiasco! As an added bonus, you can download the Nouveau Riche Longtail EP as well as her 2 featured tracks on Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool (but you should already have the album, right?) Haha.. and you got to check out Nikki Jean’s MySpace (updated daily with photos and videos from Nikki herself!) and Nouveau Riche’s MySpace! Enjoy!

GWHH: Who is Nikki Jean, the artist?
NJ: nikki jean the artist is a songwriter who is attracted to the beauty in the ugly truth.

GWHH: Who is Nikki Jean, the person? (likes/dislikes, personality quirks, etc.)
NJ: nikki jean the person. . loves=baking, knitting, good food, FINE chocolate, FINE linens, small spaces. my ex-boyfriends, and complete darkness. dislikes=hate, most seafood, parking tickets
I’m running late a lot, I’m clumsy, strangers make me nervous.

GWHH: When did you start pursuing a career in music and/or acting?
NJ: I started acting when I was 8 in St. Paul, MN. I’ve loved songs and songwriters for as long as I can remember. I started memorizing songbooks when i was 8 or 9.

GWHH: What are some of your musical inspirations and/or favorite artists? What is the song or album that you just can’t take off repeat on your iPod right now?
NJ: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Emily Haines, Adam Duritz, Slug, Sting, Irving Berlin, Sondheim, Jerome Kern, Annie Lennox, and Prince. . of course. . I can’t stop listening to Bill Withers right now. .

GWHH: Not only do you sing, but you write your own lyrics and play the piano?! What is your favorite to do out of the three and are there any more musical talents that we may be unaware of?
NJ: My favorite thing to do is write lyrics. My favorite way to do it is on a piano. . but writing to tracks has benefits too. . it stretches me and takes me out of my comfort zone.

GWHH: How long have you been the lead singer of Nouveau Riche and where do you see Nouveau Riche heading in the future?
NJ: I joined Nouveau Riche 2 years ago. . it was called the Disease then. I share the lead singer part with Dice Raw (of the Roots). I’m not sure where we’re going. . hopefully on tour. . l really enjoy performing live.

GWHH: How did you meet Lupe Fiasco and what about you and your music do you think appealed to Lupe for using your talents on 2 tracks from ‘Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool’?
NJ: Hmm. . Chris & Drop (some producers that have worked extensively with Lupe) did some tracks with me, and then introduced THEM to Lupe. He liked the sound and called me, about a year ago. We never really discussed what about my music or ability he liked, so you’d have to ask him why he chose to use me. I’m very appreciative that he did, I’m honored to be a part of his record. Its a blessing on numerous levels.

GWHH: Having your foot inside the music industry, what is your perspective and general feeling about the state of hip hop and how do you think Lupe Fiasco has contributed to the genre?
NJ: I can’t look at the state of Hip Hop, as a musical genre in a vacuum. I think we have to look at the state of hip hop in the context of the state of the music industry and the social and cultural reach of hip hop. Lupe is very intelligent, not just in the way he put together his record, but how he’s found a way to make the industry work for him at a time when it isn’t working for very many people. Lupe’s contribution is not only in the form of his perspective and way of communicating it, but also in the execution of his vision. He’s a very young man who is really in the drivers seat of his career and is making a lot of good moves.

GWHH: What has it been like to perform alongside Lupe Fiasco at one of his sold-out shows so far on his tour? Can you recall any crazy or funny stories from your any of your experiences with Lupe in the studio, on tour, or in general throughout your career?
NJ: Performing alongside of Lupe has been incredible. I mean, great venues thousands of fans. . SOLD OUT shows. . lines around the block. . people waiting for hours. .
It’s inspiring. It makes me really want to hustle and get my stuff together. The tour has a million funny moments. . but it’s not my tour, and I’d prefer to let Mr. Jaco or the FNF family illuminate them as they see fit.

GWHH: How did the collaboration with DJ Deckstream (”Five Alarm”) form and what was it like working with DJ Deckstream, perhaps compared to Lupe Fiasco?
NJ: i’ve actually never met DJ Deckstream, but I’m supposed to go to japan in a month or two to perform the song we did “together” I really like his music and am looking forward to my FIRST TRIP TO ASIA>. . how cool.

GWHH: Not only are you an up and coming singer/songwriter, but you have also had experience acting in the award-winning indie film ‘On The Outs’. What was your experience like acting in the film and do you have any future projects lined up in movies and/or television?
NJ: I went to school for acting and have always really enjoyed it. . but I think I liked the writing better than the performing. I did a Shakespeare intensive while i was in school and it completely changed my life. I hope to do more film in the future. It was a great experience. Before On The Outs I had primarily done live theatre, and I think the main difference is the ephemeral quality of theatre. Once you’re in a film. . it’s a permanent record of a moment. There’s something appealing about that.

GWHH: Finally, what can we expect to see and hear from Nikki Jean in the near future?
NJ: Well. . more work with NOUVEAU RICHE. A couple of collaborative projects I’m excited about.
I’ve got these 4 themed EPs that I plan on putting out this year. . I’m really thrilled about it. . It’s a huge undertaking, I think it’s really going to stretch me as an artist.

***Interview conducted by Sgt. Tibs with Max G. and gowhere?