Nikki Grier Interview (Songwriter for Aftermath, did songs with 50, Busta, etc)

[D-Nice]

http://illuminati2g.com/site/2013/01/13/nikki-grier-interview/

Nikki Grier took time out of her hectic schedule to sit down with I2G for a exclusive interview. We discuss her start in music, her work with Dr. Dre and Busta Rhymes and much more so check it out.

Illuminati 2G is here with Nikki Grier, how’s it going?

Hello there! I’m well, hectic but well thanks.

Tell me a little bit about how you got your start in music and who are some of your musical influences out there coming up.

I started singing professionally at the age of 11. I was discovered by Lou Adler at age 12, he signed me as part of a gospel group called, “All God’s Children” and we put out a self-titled album. Growing up I listened to everything from The Winans to Aretha Franklin to Anita Baker, Mariah Carey, Sade, Whitney, and the list goes on and on!

You worked extensively with Dr. Dre. Tell me a little bit about that experience and how much material did you record over at Aftermath.

Well I did a publishing in 2006 with Dre. At that time I was shopping an artist deal but he had just signed a female artist and wasn’t interested in taking on another one. But he did love my writing style and my voice so he took me on in that capacity. I’ve worked with every artist signed there with the exception of Eve and Kenderick. To be honest, I wrote and recorded hundreds of songs and hooks during my time there. There was a point when he dropped the female artist I was signed to write for and we talked about an artist deal for me and I even began recording my project but the deal never happened. So if you add all that up it’s safe to say Dre has a vault full of my unreleased music! Looking back it kinda feels like I spent 6 years in a music industry bootcamp. I definitely learned and grew a lot as a writer, business woman, and as a person.

Do you still keep in touch with Dre and 50 Cent?

I haven’t spoken to Dre in awhile but I worked with 50 last year on a few songs for his female rap artist.

Whats the current status on The Conglomerate?

We working man!! Busta is like a big brother to me and he continues to be one of my biggest supporters! I’ve had the opportunity to work extensively with him on his upcoming album, which is bananas by the way, so I’m excited for the world to hear what we been cooking! The whole team is strong and you can look forward to us making a bigger impact this year.

Any new projects coming soon that are getting ready to be released from you and are any details that you can give about it?

Yes, I have my new project that I will be releasing in the next month or so called, “Soulgasm Vol.9~ The Dreaming Water Sign” The project is very moody, its gives you a pretty clear view of the mental space I’ve been in. There’s also a musical I’ve been working on with Humberto Gatica and I’ve been called back for the 2nd season of “The American Challenge” on The Gameshow Network. I have lots of things brewing so stay tuned!

I thought it was cool to see you on the show How I Met Your Mother, one of my favorite sitcoms. How did that come together?

Well, I was checking my voicemail and the casting director left me a message, and when I called back she told me a friend of mine (Jason Morales) had recommended me for the part. I wasin shock. I sent my music, she loved it, and the rest is history. So far I’ve been on two episodes and I hope to do more!

What are your thoughts on the music industry in 2012?

I think the music industry is experiencing a rebirth. It’s no longer business as usual. Technology is forcing us to be more creative when it comes to engaging our audience.  I believe the way we currently make and release these things called albums will drastically change. Real artists/innovators will survive because of live shows. Nothing can replace the live experience and if you’ve got that, you’ve got a chance.

Do you have any upcoming shows or tour dates?

No, I won’t have any dates until after I put this next project out. You can however check for upcoming shows and updates on Nikkigrier.com. My tumblr is Iamsoulgasm.tumblr.com and you can also follow me on twitter @nikkigrier. I tweet upcoming performances.

Appreciate your time, any last words?

Thank you for reaching out. I just want to thank all my supporters for encouraging me to keep going!

[Dre-Day]

thanks for posting

You worked extensively with Dr. Dre. Tell me a little bit about that experience and how much material did you record over at Aftermath.

Well I did a publishing in 2006 with Dre. At that time I was shopping an artist deal but he had just signed a female artist and wasn’t interested in taking on another one. But he did love my writing style and my voice so he took me on in that capacity. I’ve worked with every artist signed there with the exception of Eve and Kenderick. To be honest, I wrote and recorded hundreds of songs and hooks during my time there. There was a point when he dropped the female artist I was signed to write for and we talked about an artist deal for me and I even began recording my project but the deal never happened. So if you add all that up it’s safe to say Dre has a vault full of my unreleased music! Looking back it kinda feels like I spent 6 years in a music industry bootcamp. I definitely learned and grew a lot as a writer, business woman, and as a person.

the bullshit with aftermath never stops it seems. what's the point of recording lots of music if it's not going to be released?
it's good that she wasn't signed as an artist, otherwise she would have been stuck.

hopefully more of the aftermath material will leak

[Dargine]

This new interview's nice, but what happened to Up-Tight pt 3??

[HighEyeCue]

thanks for the interview, Nikki is one of the dopest artists people never heard of

[Portugoal]

Do you still keep in touch with Dre and 50 Cent?

I haven’t spoken to Dre in awhile but I worked with 50 last year on a few songs for his female rap artist.

Isn't it frustrating when you do interviews by e-mail you can't always ask the obvious follow up questions, such as "what's the name of the artist you're speaking of"?

lol

[CharlieBrown]

She is fine and some of her music is ok. Shame we'll probably never hear it.