*“I love performing,” said Billboard Chart-Topping Nicki Kris when I interviewed her about the release of her new album “Unleashed” (N.K.M. Records). “I just go out and perform…love it! It comes naturally. I never get nervous.”
The Rock project has Nicki collaborating with producer Kevin McNoldy (Dave Matthews, Howie D of the Backstreet Boys) and Grammy-winning producer Kitt Wakeley. For this project, the powerful storyteller enlisted help from drummer Nik Hughes, guitarist Zev Shalev, drummer Kevin Murphy, and singer/songwriter Tye Cristo.
“The title (“Unleashed”) came from Natalie Jean (“My Body”),” Kris said about the title of the album when I asked. “It’s the first song on the album. I don’t say the word (unleash) until the end of the song. I didn’t plan it that way.”
I asked Nicki which came first the title of the album or the song “Unleashed.”
“The title came before the song,” she replied. “(Natalie Jean) She came up with the title based on songs I have done.”
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She explained that World Music Award winner Natalie Jean told the singer/songwriter to unleash the talent within. You see, aside from being a Rock artist she is also a Pop and Blues artist. The North Carolina native did just that on the “Unleashed” project.
“I first performed at six years old in elementary school in a Christmas pageant,” Nicki told me as we talked about her humble beginnings in music. “Fun stuff all through school. But life got in the way, and I put music on hold. I got back into music in 2011. I recorded a Christmas song. Then started working on an album.”
Nicki Kris has been a singer/songwriter for so many years you can consider her a veteran. Her songs can be heard on TV shows, such as “Dance Moms” on Lifetime.
One song featured on the Lifetime show is titled “Beautiful” off of her “Big Dream” album. The album also garnered the song “We Go On” which is also featured on the “Dance Mom” series.
“I was performing out and about last year…because I had a band. We occasionally performed locally,” Kris pointed out when I asked about her awesome band. “The band broke up… so I focused on the album.”
In 2013 Nicki debuted with the “I Come Alive” album, in 2014 she followed up with “Dream Big.” In 2019 she released the “Heartbeat” project. She followed that up by releasing singles, such as “Is This Love” in 2020, “Undone” in 2021, and re-released “I Come Alive” in honor of her 10th anniversary in 2023.
“Creation comes from all places,” she said when I asked about her songwriting style.
In partnership with Natalie Jean, Nicki Kris also operates a not-for-profit “Sisters in Music” organization.
“We held a gala during Grammy week,” Nicki added when I asked about the things the organization is doing. “(Natalie Jean) We are close friends.” www.NickiKris.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Business Management/Public Relations Strategist and Consultant at Freelance Associates and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENTS: “Uplifting Minds II” Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is in its 26th year. The next events are coming to Baltimore via Zoom on Saturday, April 19, 2025, presented by Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and Los Angeles via Zoom on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase, and a National Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance, and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $20,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com and RSVP for Zoom Access at EventBrite.com or email [email protected].
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