Niko

Born Nicole Vergel De Dios in Seattle, Washington, the singer known as Niko draws on Japanese and Spanish heritage while establishing herself as a New York-based soul jazz artist. Her exotic voice first drew notice through repeated appearances on the Seattle live circuit, which led to a scholarship at New School University. There she absorbed jazz history and internalized the music’s essence, completing her studies with honors in 2002. During that time she worked days as a runner at the Knitting Factory and sang to its creative crowds at night, gaining early recognition while absorbing fresh influences from house, soul, and hip-hop. In 2002 she assembled her band Nikosol and scored a film, prompting a feature in Vibe magazine. After circulating a demo among major labels and attending multiple meetings, she chose the independent route and signed with Manchester, England-based Grand Central Records. Her debut album, Life On Earth, appeared in July 2004 and drew on the label’s full roster, with production supplied by Aim, Mr. Scruff, and co-owner Mark Rae of Rae And Christian; the refined tracks framed Niko’s luxurious, jazz-tinged vocals to striking effect.