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THE NIYOKI INTERVIEW: Former opening act for Prince comes full circle with 'Rest'
Once we talk her accent is hard to place, adding to the intrigue. Where is she from? Who is she? Upon being introduced as simply Niyoki (pronounced Ni-o-key) the allure sharpens. (Her favorite clothing designer is Japanese, but that is as close as her ties get to the land of the lotus blossom.)
Given at birth by her mother, a foreign language teacher, the name Niyoki is of African origin and means “serious minded,” which foretold her identity as an entrepreneur, producer and singer.
Living up to her name, the sistah from Fort Wayne Indiana was so serious about the launch of her solo career and independent record label, D2G that the exhaustive effort she invested in her introductory project in 2006 almost took its toll.
She came out with a clear vision for success that included a tour bus bearing her striking image on its side, a rare accoutrement for a new artist. Niyoki continued to press her way despite criticism, self-sacrifice and extra long trips on the road that engulfed her being. Her diligence resulted in charting on the Billboard with a first recording, aptly entitled "My Everything."
Niyoki was somewhat prepared for the hard work having traversed the chitlin' circuit since the age of 6 with her family singing traditional gospel as the opening act for such artists as Shirley Caesar and the Williams Brothers. Once they were old enough to make their own decisions, she and her sisters rebelled in an extreme way. She said she they thought they were grown ups and later defected from the family flock into the mainstream, where their new manager landed a gig with Pop/R&B superstar Prince in 2002. The group also opened for R&B dynamos R. Kelly and Boys II Men. Niyoki admits to back-sliding and having to rely on the teachings of her parents to help her make it through those times.
Now the daughter of a preacher and first-time mom of a 9-month-old son, Kedrin, has come full circle to find “Rest” on her sophomore release of the same title. "Rest" is a mixed palette of inspirational music that encompasses her broad background as an artist with hints of rock, contemporary Christian, and traditional styles that demonstrate Niyoki's appeal is much greater than what meets the eye.
In this interview, the new mom and I talk about everything from shedding the pounds from pregnancy to the challenges in ministry as she gives encouragement to those in a perpetual state of unrest.
Niyoki's new album on D2G records is in stores now. Listen to tracks from the project at www.myspace.com/Niyoki.
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