Nikki Jean is a singer-songwriter from Minnesota who has been influenced by many different styles. She was originally in the Philadelphia-based group Nouveau Riche. During this time, she contributed vocals on Sting's song 'Be Still My Beating Heart'. In 2004 she performed as an actress in the film 'On the Outs'.
In 2007 she sang on the single 'Hip Hop Saved My Life' and 'Little Weapon', both tracks on Lupe Fiasco's album 'The Cool'. She performed with Fiasco as a support act on Kanye West's tour in 2008.
Her 2011 solo album 'Pennies in a Jar', produced by Sam Hollander, saw her co-write with an array of songwriting talent. The single 'Steel and Feathers' was an unfinished song intended for Bob Dylan's album 'Shot of Love'. Nikki Jean also co-wrote songs with Carly Simon, Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Lamont Dozier, Thom Bell, Jeff Barry, Jimmy Webb and Paul Williams. The throwback soul song 'My Love', written with Lamont Dozier, was also released as a single.
After surgery for thyroid nodules she released the EP 'Champagne Water' in 2014, including collaborations with Ab Soul, Like and The Social Experiment. In 2015 she co-wrote and sang on five songs on Lupe Fiasco's album 'Tetsuo & Youth'.
In 2019 she released the single 'Driver' taken from her R&B-influenced seven-track EP 'Beautiful Prison'.
