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| CSUN Interview with Ryah Nikole
Destiny Cornett (CSUN Student): How are you doing today Ryah Nikole?
Ryah Nikole: I’m fine, and you?
DC: I’m fine thank you. Starting off with your name, Ryah Nikole. How did you come up with that name?
RN: Well, my name is Myariah but, everyone in my family calls me Ryah and my middle name is Nikole [spelled with a K (Ryah Nikole and Destiny laugh)]. It just stuck with me and I really like the name, so I kept it.
DC: What is your instrument(s)?
RN: My instruments are my ears and my voice.
DC: Why do you say your ears?
RN: Because I produce and write for a lot of artists [not even including working on my own projects], I have to have a good ear to hear harmonies, chords, and everything else.
DC: How old were you when you started singing?
RN: I started singing when I was three years old.
DC: When was your first performance in front of an audience?
RN: I was three when I did my first performance.
DC: Where did you perform when you were three years old?
RN: I preformed in my pre-school Christmas play. I sang, “This Little Light of Mine”.
DC: When did you discover that you wanted to pursue music as a career?
RN: I knew at the early age of four years old. I got a lot of attention when I would sang and, I thought to myself, “This is what I want to do forever.”
DC: Were there many challenges that you had to face being a young singer?
RN: Singing was my way of expression. When I was young, up until age 12, I battled with stuttering so, it really helped me with my communication skills. So, there weren’t many challenges. The only challenges that I faced back then [and still now] were the haters but, there were no huge obstacle that I had to overcome. (They both laugh).
DC: Have you ever had private lessons?
RN: No. I never took any “real” private lessons. I learned from what I see, and I listen to a lot of old records. To me, those are my lessons. It also helped that I went to a performing arts high school.
DC: How long have you been singing and performing?
RN: Well, since I was three but, I really started to hone my performance skills in high school.
DC: Why do you want to be a performer?
RN: I’ve been doing it forever, it’s my passion. I don’t see myself doing anything else. I am a performer it’s in my blood it’s what I do.
DC: What kind of music do you perform?
RN: I do any type of music that I am paid to do… Just Kidding! (They both laugh) My favorite genres are Neo-Soul and R&B. But if someone wants to write on Alternative Rock, Pop, or Hip Hop track I would do it. I have done it in the past.
DC: As an artist what do you feel that you bring to the table?
RN: (Ryah Nikole pauses) This might sound cliche but, I am different, you know? I feel that, when it comes to music… It’s like food. People like what they like. Some people won’t like me but, I am here. At the end of day I put a certain type of flavor to the dinner.
DC: What are your skills as an artist?
RN: I’d like to say that I’m an exceptional singer. I’m a song writer; I get better with each song I write. I am also a choral singer I’ve sang in various choirs [which has taught me to sore in distinguishing harmonies and chord progressions, etc. I produce my own music. A lot of women don’t so, I feel that I have somewhat of an advantage. I also have strategic mind-state about the music industry. I believe in doing business in decent and in order. I like to be well rounded and great at everything I do.
DC: What artists inspire you?
RN: I love “old school music”. I could listen to it all day. The Supremes, Donnie Hathaway, Otis Redding, Steve Wonder, Chaka Khan, Prince, Snoop Dog, Common, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Jill Scott, Patti Austin, Billie Holiday, Earth, Wind & Fire. I feel that Jasmine Sullivan and Jennifer Hudson are bringing back real music. And the list goes on, we would be here talking forever. I want to perform and be great just like them and I know I will be.
DC: From all the places you performed at which one did you enjoyed the most?
RN: Q’s Lounge, I had fun at Maxwell’s, I love performing in LA, The Oakland Metro, and San Joaquin Woodminister Theatre. My favorite place of all time would have be the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. That was by far, my favorite place. I had so many of Hollywood’s most famed actors come up to me and tell me I did a good job. I was so grateful and appreciative to just be there.
DC: What do you do to make your career work?
RN: One, I network, that’s how you do it. You network with everyone. You have to work your ass off and always give a good and lasting first impression. Second, you have to spend money to get money and always stay professional. Third, you have to practice; a good musician has to perfect what their instrument.
DC: What is your drive? What keeps you going as an artist?
RN: My drive is my music. Things that keep me going are when people tell me that I can’t make it, to give up. Also, when I see other people that are on top, it drives me more to keep working so that I can be at the level they’re on.
DC: What is your philosophy when it comes to pressing forward?
RN: I tell myslef that I can do it. Even when no one else believes in my dream, I always tell myself to keep pressing forward. Because, ultimately, it’s not their dream, it’s mine so I always encourage myslef.
DC: What are some of the things that discourage you as a performer?
RN: When things get chaotic, especially when you’re trying so hard and working so hard to produce something great. For example, I recently did a show. The performance was great but everything that could go wrong, went wrong. The sound check was rough, band equipment was late and even some people that needed to be there early, were late. It was just so hard to get the show together, but at the end of the day, the performance was still a success. But things like that really make me question this career choice. And some times you will be discouraged but you just have to get through it.
DC: What is the key ingredient to success?
RN: I feel that success is different for every one. It is about the amount of work you put in. I think there isn’t just one thing. There’s no one key ingredient. Because my success is going to be different from yours and yours from mine. You have to just make sure you press forward. Follow your passion. Always make sure you’re passionate about what you do and what you want to reach. If your not, you will fall off because you’re not 100 % in it.
DC: Is this what you originally planned to do with you life?
RN: I say Yes, even if I did want to do some other things. I knew God had a plan or me and music is it. Music is my task to complete here on earth. I might have reared off, [like I wanted to play basketball], but I always knew God wanted more for me. Music is always going to be apart of my life. I know it in heart that God wants this for me and I will sing until I can’t sing anymore. |
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