Back in the early 2000s, a most funky Tommy Hilfiger ad made its way to TV screens across the country, featuring then-first lady of Ruff Rider Eve and a bevy of young and sexy Joes and Janes grooving under a mirror ball in a sultry club. Permeating shots of tight tummies and even tighter booties, sweaty necks and flowing locks—all in slow motion of course, so we wouldn’t forget the “sultry” part—was a pulsing beat blanketed by a slightly distorted voice talking something about “feathers” and “free”. It was, in fact, our introduction to the powerhouse that is Nikka Costa. The song, “Like a Feather”, would be the lead single from her US debut Everybody Got Their Something (Cheeba Sound, 2000).
If you’ve never experienced the majesty of Miss Nikka, you have undoubtedly missed one of the most engrossing and intriguing musicians of the past decade. Deftly mingling funk, soul, blues, and rock n roll, Nikka has created a signature sound that is as accessible as it is unique. The opening riff from her song “Everybody Got Their Something”—reminiscent of Sly and the Family Stone—has been featured in commercials and television series, as has “Til I Get to You” from 2005’s Can’tneverdidnothin’ (Virgin); and her single “Push and Pull” appeared on the soundtrack for the 2001 film “Blow” starring the always enticing Johnny Depp. But where this singer/songwriter truly shines is live, on stage. Her high-octane performances, backed by one of the tightest bands on the planet, are the stuff of legends. She is as cool as she is raw, with a voice that lilts gently right before ripping the roof off the sucka.
In 2008 Nikka released her third studio album, Pebble to a Pearl (Stax/Go Funk Yourself); the lead single “Stuck to You” followed in the footsteps of its predecessors and made its way onto the small screen in TV spots and promos. Where Everybody Got Their Something brought the funk and Can’tneverdidnothin’ spotlighted Nikka’s rock sensibilities, Pebble to a Pearl brought with it an ol’ soul feeling and included a searing cover of Johnny “Guitar” Watson’s classic “Loving You”. At long last, Nikka’s brand-spanking new EP Pro*Whoa! dropped in June and is available on iTunes. For those who prefer the feel of a physical CD in hand, you can pick up a copy of the disc at one of Nikka’s upcoming live shows.
SoulTrain.com had the chance to talk to Nikka Costa about her amazing musical journey for this latest installation of our Artist to Artist series.
SoulTrain: You have worked with some notable musicians throughout your career–Questlove, James Poyser, and Mark Ronson all appeared on Everybody Got Their Something; Lenny Kravitz, Craig Ross, and Wendy Melvoin lent their talents to Can’tneverdidnothin’. You joined Van Hunt on his version of “Mean Sleep” (On the Jungle Floor), and most recently you’re featured on INXS’s reimagining of their classic “Kick” (Original Sin, 2010). Then there’s the stellar YouTube clip of you and Meshell Ndegeocello performing Curtis Mayfield’s “Make Me Believe in You”. How do these collaborations come about?
Nikka Costa: For Everybody Got Their Something I was signed to the Cheeba Sound label, which was through Virgin Records at the time. They had D’Angelo, and they had just finished Voodoo and we were about to do my record. They called in Ahmir (Questlove), James Poyser, and Pino Palladino—some of the same players from Voodoo. It was a really good match. Mark (Ronson) was DJ’ing in clubs and had never produced anything before, so that was the first album Mark did. MeShell is a good friend—we’d met a few times over the years {through other musicians}. The INXS boys are old friends of Justin {Stanley, Nikka’s husband}—Justin’s Australian and INXS is an Australian band and they toured together a long time ago. I also got to do a duet with Ben Harper for the Original Sin project, but I’m not sure what version the song is on. But it’s so wicked and I was really excited to work with him because I’ve been a big fan of his for a long time. Van Hunt—we were managed by Randy Jackson, so that’s how we became friends. It’s like a community, so it’s like you cross people’s minds and then they ask you to come work with them.
Soul Train: Tell us about your new album, Pro*Whoa! How does it differ from your previous releases?
Nikka Costa: It’s an EP, and the idea is to put out two EPs per year and tour more, instead of doing the big huge build up toward one long-playing album. I do that and then I kind of disappear for a couple years because it’s such a long and daunting process for me, so this shorter format is cool because I can tour more and put out what I’m feeling at the time before it gets stale. You know, when you do a full album and you put it out, a year later you’re kind of over it. The sound for Pro*Whoa! is more electronic, definitely not as vintage as Pebble to a Pearl. I wanted to have a different sonic feel, using more drum machines and MPCs, weird synths.
Soul Train: The first single from the new EP is “Nylons in a Rip”. Where did that title come from?
Nikka Costa: I actually wrote that quite a few years ago on a bus. I don’t even wear nylons (laughs)! But I was imagining running around trying to figure stuff out you would inevitably rip your nylons. It’s a weird little metaphor but it kind of stuck, it’s a cool visual.
Soul Train: Pro*Whoa! will be your first release on your label Go Funk Yourself. How did you break away from the more traditional label model to finally launch your own label and go full speed ahead?
 Buy Nikka Costa music on iTunes |
Nikka Costa: I’ve had quite a few major deals, and I don’t think we fit very well together for the kind of artist that I am and the kind of music that I do. Inevitably, I think they let me down, they think I let them down, or everybody gets fired. I’m really lucky to have the kind of fan base I have. When you’re not with a major, obviously you don’t get the big check and you don’t get the big push, but then you may not necessarily get that if you’re on a major label either. You get all these promises, but then you get stuck if it doesn’t happen. And I got stuck too many times, and I finally got free. Maybe the dream changes, how you imagined it all happening—but you gotta get really philosophical for a moment with yourself. I’m more liberated by it than scared by it. For me, it feels right!
Soul Train: You draw comparisons to Janis Joplin, and I’ve even heard you compared to the late great Teena Marie. Who are some of the artists—past and/or present—who inspire and influence you?
Nikka Costa: I listen to a lot of jazz—I grew up listening to Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald—so that was a big part of my foundation. But I listen more to male rock singers like Robert Plant, early Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, AC/DC, 70s rock guys– raspy full-on ballsy singers. I listen to a lot of Chaka Khan, a lot of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin. I never really listened to a lot of Janis Joplin. I don’t even think I have an album of hers. But I think I get compared to her because of the live energy—she was a really go-for-it-make-ugly-faces singer, and all sweaty at the end of her shows. And that’s how I am. I just go for it to the point where I look like Alice Cooper at the end!
Soul Train: In a perfect world, we’d be able to turn on the radio in any city in the country and hear your music in heavy rotation. Yet you’ve carved out an incredible niche for yourself without extensive exposure on radio and without major touring. As an emerging artist myself, I am always curious to find out how other artists are able to build such loyal and significant followings outside of the more traditional methods. Share with our SoulTrain.com readers your path to success in this industry.
Nikka Costa: I’m way more involved now in my marketing, promotions, and branding than I was before. We have a tightly knit little team, but I have to feel comfortable with every aspect and make sure we’re all on the same page. I’m lucky–my fans stick with me and they tell their friends who tell their friends, and that’s helped so much over the years even though we haven’t had a lot of radio play.
Soul Train: We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of Soul Train this year. What are some of your favorite Soul Train memories?
Nikka Costa: Of course, Don Cornelius! And my friend and I used to pretend to be the dancers. My friend had long braids so she’d be the one with the long hair. We did full shows in her living room, and we were awesome!
Want more Nikka? You know you do! Follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/officialnikka and Twitter @officialnikka and for something extra funky check out her YouTube channel.
Check out the video for “Nylons”.
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–Rhonda Nicole
Rhonda Nicole is an independent singer/songwriter from Dallas, TX whose EP Nuda Veritas is available on CDBaby and iTunes. Follow her on Facebook atFacebook.com/rhondanicolemusic and on Twitter, @wildhoneyrock.
