Passing the Mic to Niki: Representation Matters

Who is NIKI?

Nicole Zefanya, professionally known as NIKI, is an Indonesian singer, songwriter, and record producer. Having stated that she tries to empower Asians and Asian Americans through her music and that her mission is to empower underrepresented young Asian artists, NIKI went on to create music, collaborate with other artists, and perform in various venues, including the annual music festival held by the label 88rising, Head in the Clouds. NIKI’s success eventually led her to be included in Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 List in 2020.

Where did NIKI Start?

NIKI taught herself to play the guitar at nine years old. By the age of thirteen, she began writing her own music. Years later, she went on to perform in front of thousands of people and eventually released her album.

1. Just By Doing It

In 2014, NIKI had entered a competition arranged by musician Taylor Swift and the ice-cream brand Walls, called Ride to Fame, ultimately winning and becoming Taylor Swift’s opening act.

Originally thinking that she didn’t like performing because she was a very shy person, NIKI eventually found performing enjoyable and thought of making a career out of it.

2. By Being Daring

“Name one Asian artist that’s popping right now,” NIKI said in a 2018 interview with NME. “Other than, like, [Rich] Brian. It’s just not a thing. And I want to be the girl that sets that up. The one that changes the game. And I’d love to spearhead change in that way.”

Taking notice that Asian artists are underrepresented in the media, NIKI confidently sets out to change that. “My sources of inspiration are endless,” NIKI says, “But in terms of who do I wanna be like? I don’t want to be like anyone. I want to be me.“

3. By Empowering Others

NIKI takes on the responsibility to set up a platform for Asian females, because they are very underrepresented racially, in the media, and in pop culture.

On feeling like she has never felt represented correctly in the media, NIKI says, “I never really felt like there was anybody who looked like me, who correctly represented me, and so I just feel like I want to be that for little kids that look like me, talk like me, or are from my hometown.”

Sources:

• Bartleet, L. (2018, May 28). NIKI: “Name one Asian artist that’s popping right now. I want to be the girl that sets that up”. Retrieved from NME: https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/niki-interview-2018-2316838
• Forbes. (2020). 30 Under 30 Asia: Entertainment and Sports. Retrieved from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2020/asia/entertainment-sports/#2578aab2636a
• Morin, N. (2019, August 29). NIKI Wants Asians To Own Their Heritage. Retrieved from Refinery29: https://www.refinery29.com/amp/en-us/2019/08/241493/niki-zenfaya-head-in-the-clouds-88-rising-interview