Today we’d like to introduce you to Nekia Fisher.
Nekia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in MIlwaukee, WI. I was immersed in music at an early age via my grandmother, whom played piano and also taught me how to play. In her house she played a lot of gospel and classic oldies, while my mother played a lot of soul, jazz, and r&b. I discovered I had a talent and love for music in Middle school but didn’t really decide to take music seriously until I got out of high school. I had the option to play basketball in college or pursue music in California and well, I chose music. This was my first experience in trying to get a deal and all the experiences that come with that. From the late studio sessions, to the rehearsing live performances and promoting yourself at different areas to people you don’t know. I actually got a real world glimpse into performing while doing so on the Santa Monica Promenade. Some people didn’t care you were there, and some would stop and watch. Some may even leave you a little tip as to say to “Keep going” or “don’t quit your day job” (lol). I worked hard out there for at least twp years and landed a meeting with a major label that didn’t pan through due to cut backs during the recession. As devastated as I was, I knew I wasn’t ready to give up on music so that’s when I decided to pursue my dream independently. I came back to Milwaukee and started building my name in my city performing at local events and just being on “the scene”.
In 2013, my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer and in 2014 she lost her battle. I was definitely heart-broken and needed to get away from my environment and just reset. This is what led me to move to Atlanta. Once in ATL I started to go out anywhere I could be heard or where I could network. I started on Edgewood Ave with The Department Store and made my way to Union EAV on Flat Shoals. It was through networking at these spots and different venues in between that I got to really brush shoulders with different curators, DJ’s, artist and promoters in the city of Atlanta. I also networked with Kelby Cannick who owns MakinItMagazine and is also based out of ATL. I used his magazine as a tool to pick events for networking and performances in Atlanta to really help me build my buzz and from there started building and growing.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely wasn’t smooth, I feel I’ve been rolling trying to dodge potholes along the way (lol). Losing my mother was a struggle. Being an only child, you want to be able to give back what your parents gave to you as in gratitude for all that they went through to raise and nurture you. I went through a really dark depression during that time but music was the one thing that kept me going. I had my experiences with janky promoters and slick talking A&R’s. I’ve performed for packed houses and festivals and also had experience where I was pouring my best performances into an audience of 5. These are the experiences that either make you or break you. As humans we have our own internal battles and struggles but on the artist side, we develop egos. Not getting the recognition or admiration you feel you deserve could really kill that ego and drive to keep going but sometimes you have to let that ego die in order to really thrive. I feel the struggles and disappointments I faced played a major role in my success just as much as my positive experiences have.
Please tell us about your work.
My first line of business is “Kia Rap Princess” the artist. As an artist/songwriter my main genre is hip-hop but I think you get to hear the influences of all the other genres as well in my music. I really take a lot of pride in being a creative. Not only is it therapeutic for me but I feel music is the soundtrack to our experiences on a daily basis. Before I was creating for myself and to provide for my family, a bit of artist vanity (lol). But as I’ve grown and have had more life experiences and met different people all around the world, I began to realize that the work I do is really for everyone. Long after I’m gone someone will be having a rough day and be able to play ” Issa Vibe” to pour some positive energy into their day. That’s huge to me. So now I am more intentional with what I say and how I say them. My feelings and how I express them are all unique to me but I am not alone in my experience in life which we all are blessed to be able to live. I feel my music and passion as a creator brings a YOU CAN DO THIS type of energy to my listeners. I feel they get messages of empowerment, how to deal with being in love and also how to deal with falling out of it. How to deal with the pressures of life, how to deal with death or loss of someone close to them.
How to have fun and be able to let go and just appreciate who they are as an individual. How to embrace who they are and knowing that being different isn’t a bad thing but it’s what makes us unique and sets us apart. That is really what I feel sets me apart from others, the message, the delivery and the energy behind it all. Aside from that I am currently working on building up my company YBNRML Ent, which will not only serve as the home base for my music but also showcase my sense of style and fashion through my merch that will be available. Through my company I will also be partnering with different curators and community-based organizations to bring resources into underprivileged communities like the one I’m from which is the 53206 area. I hope to use art, music and creativity and combine them with technology to expand the minds and bring more opportunities to these communities that will help grow their environment but also the youth and adults that support them. My idea has always been to think outside the box because there’s so much more in the world to experience and gain outside of your city. But a lot of our youth and adults have no true example of what that looks like or even know how to navigate to get to it. We have to be brave enough to think and be different in order to create change. Just as my slogan for YBNRML states ” WE ARE NOT REGULAR” and should take pride in being. extraordinarily different and great all together.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Of course my grandmother and mother deserve credit for raising and nurturing me. But also, my family, especially my two male cousins from my father and mother’s side, Mone and Wade. Most of the time when I’m out you’re going to see one of them if not both, they are a big part of my team behind the scenes. Whether it’s serving as a street team or support when I’m on the road these guys have my back when it comes to it all and I’m grateful for their love and support. I can’t forget about my God-Father Rebroken or “X” as we all love to call him. He’s the one who taught me Y=Self. My biological father wasn’t in my life as a child and so I really didn’t know what that looked like “a father’s love”. In my 20’s especially after my experience in California and also after my mother and biological father’s passing my God-father really stepped up in my life and has been rocking and rolling with me through it all. Whether it was giving me guidance or just walking me around the park when I was enraged or felt in different his support and love has definitely been a blessing in my life. I thank God for the different DJ’s like DJ E-Boogie (atl) and DJ Ressie-Cup (atl).
As a woman trying to carve her way in this big space you need other women who are in position in the their respective roles to guide you and support you and I appreciate them as well as other DJ’s like Promise-Promise (mke), DJ Homer Blow (mke) and so many others. All the radio stations that have continued to support me like Highly Unique Radio, V100.7, Radio Milwaukee 88.9, 91.7fm and so many all around the country. The curators like King Fresh (atl), P-Brown (atl), Tampa Mystique (atl) Kelby Cannick (atl), for the opportunities they provide through performance venues and networking events. My sister in music Kaylee Crossfire, we ride together, we die together, BestOfBothWorlds FOR LIFE (lol). I also want to recognize organizations like i.c stars Milwaukee for providing programs in technology which has really helped me open up my network and expand my thinking as to how tech relates to art/music and how it can be a great tool for advancement in and for our communities. There are so many stories and people that I feel played a unique role in the chapters in my life that I’m going to wait for Lifetime to tell the whole story (lbvs). YOU ALL ARE APPRECIATED.
Pricing:
- Performances/Features : Start at $500 & Up
Contact Info:
- Phone: 414-412-3626
- Email: BookKiaRapPrincess@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamKiaRapPrincess
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/iamKiaRapPrincess
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/KiaRapPrincess
Image Credit:
Bradley Perich for the professional photos (i.e the main photo for use , as well as the pictures from the magazine and the picture for the Award Show)
For the performance shot with myself and Kaylee Crossfire please credit : Erik Kilpatrick jr.
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