Wise Words are knowledge and tips from people working in the arts and entertainment industry. But they won’t just give me advice, they’ll also provide some to themselves. These words are from Ms Bad Ass – Nikki Lynette. So Enjoy and learn something….before she beats you up or something.
Photo taken by Seth Kammueller
“Do-It-Yourself” is the name of the game.
Remember back in the days when artists got signed just for being talented, and major labels gave them huge budgets and spent time and resources developing them into stars? If you do remember, then write down everything you think labels did for artists back then. Include artist development, booking, tour support – don’t leave anything out.
Now look at that list. If you want to succeed in the music industry in this day and age, then the things on that list are the things you need to do for yourself. Otherwise, you don’t have a music career. You have a music hobby. It’s not a label’s job to make your dreams of stardom come true. That’s your job.
As for myself…I don’t like taking vacations and I don’t believe in down time. I guess I could learn how to do that. I just figure that while I’m sleeping, somebody else is working. So I probably won’t take that advice any time soon.
Nikki Lynette is singer/songwriter, rapper, and producer from Chicago, Illinois. In May, she released her Roses N Guns mixtape, which featured songs with artists like Mickey Factz, GLC and Naledge of Kids In the Hall. She’s also performed and opened for peeps such as Lupe, The Game, and KRS -1; and she had her music played during the Season 2 premier of Jersey shore (w/ a MTV licensing deal), as well as campaigns for Marlboro, DeVry, McDonalds – and more.
The amazing thing is – Nikki’s done all of this…without a record deal.
She’s currently wrapping up The Strong Survive EP, while also working on her currently untitled debut album. But in the meantime, you can be on the lookout for songs she’s written for other artists, as well as more commercials and television shows in which her music will be featured. Also be on the look out for the 20 city road trip she’s going on to promote her EP, starting August 31st.
While not working her ass off in the music industry, you can find Nikki dabbling in other forms of art – like drawing, painting, sculpting, and Indian seed bead looming – but she kindly requests that you don’t judge her. Team Bad ass? Shit, I wouldn’t.
Follow Nikki on Twitter, check out her website, and peep her blog on Chicago Now. You can also fan her on FaceBook, and watch her on YouTube – Stalker.
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Previously: Wise Words from Stephen Souza
