The year 1982 saw the birth of a rising star. Born in East London, Nicki Steele had always felt the calling of the stage. She attended ballet lessons from the age of four, which ignited her love of performing. Her music studies began at the age of six when she started taking piano lessons.
After leaving school at 16, she took a BTEC National Diploma in Popular Music where she continued to develop her musical ear and production skills. Covering the areas of performance, production and music business, Nicki became an all rounder and by the end of the course, had produced her own album. Before going on to University, Nicki took a year out to perform at various venues and showcases in and around London. During this time, she also explored other avenues and worked voluntarily on the children’s Saturday morning television show, SM:TV Live. This gave Nicki a different angle for looking at the industry and further inspired her to continue in striving for her goals as a performer. In July 2001, she was one of 25 finalists out of over 3,000 entrants in the Rapology competition, organised by Choice FM. Here she performed to a crowd of around 2,000 people at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon, South London.
In 2002, Nicki enrolled at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford to increase her knowledge of music production on a 2-year accelerated degree course in Contemporary Popular Music. During this time, Nicki honed her skills as a producer, a talent she would like to rank as highly as those she has already accomplished.
She has since recorded new songs to add to her collection and feels confident in calling herself a singer and songwriter. Her interest in music is broad and inclusive of most styles, which is reflected in her work.
Some songs ooze the sensual traits of an R&B number while others will have you tapping your foot along in a fashion that only pop can get you involved. The material she has recorded so far shows Nicki as a singer, songwriter, producer and backing vocalist on a collection of songs to rival any other artist currently in the charts. Recent submissions of her work have generated positive feedback with the suggestion that she “should write for other artists as wellâ€.
Her list of influences ranges from artists old and new alike. Her mother, an Aretha Franklin fan, can be credited for Nicki’s love of some of music’s greatest leading ladies such as Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick. More recent influences include P!nk, Alicia Keys and Missy Elliot and would like to be able to work with one of her all time favourite artists, Stevie Wonder.
Nicki is currently looking for a publishing and/or recording deal to take her career further.
This 25 year old is one to watch out for. Her determination and dedication alone has brought her to the attention of industry professionals. Her talents will do the same to audiences all over!
