Biography
Before joining forces, Nikki Leonti issued multiple CCM releases via the Pamplin label and backed Carrie Underwood on the road, whereas Rich Skillz had already supplied productions for Ludacris (“Ultimate Satisfaction”) and Eve (“Fantasy”). After repeated feedback that his beats felt “too big” and left collaborators’ voices with insufficient room, Skillz recognized an imminent turning point once Leonti’s commanding vocal power and fearless persona “ate it up.” The two characterized their aesthetic as “Alicia [Keys] meets the Supremes while hanging out with Lauryn Hill listening to OutKast's ‘Hey Ya’ remixed by Phil Spector.” The duo’s earliest tracks (“Cat and Mouse,” “Next Best Thing”) displayed a cheeky, self-assured throwback style that wove Brill Building pop and girl-group soul through a driving percussive core, suggesting Hill might have been riffing on “Doo Wop (That Thing)” rather than directing her gaze skyward. ~ Andy Kellman
Singles
