NIKKAELA – My passion for music began in childhood, nurtured by my mother’s unwavering support. I threw myself into theatre, church choirs, singing competitions, acting classes, and dance groups. But high school brought an unexpected artistic hiatus. It wasn’t until I returned to my church community that my voice truly found its home. Surrounded by a supportive environment, I discovered the transformative power of music as a space for meditation, reflection, and healing.
January 2021 marked a milestone in my journey with the release of my debut single, ‘Moment.’ The track resonated deeply with my Filipino community, friends, family, and a growing audience. Since then, my artistic journey has accelerated. Following ‘Moment,’ I’ve released ten singles, with half coming out in 2023 alone. Additionally, 2022 saw the release of my six-track EP, ‘Babygirl.’
Vancouver plays a pivotal role in my music. The city’s vibrant scene fosters creativity, and I’m proud to say my production, engineering, and recording are all done locally. As a seasoned performer, I’ve connected with audiences on a deeper level. From selling out a 200-person show at the Fortune Sound Club to opening for Eric Bellinger at the Rickshaw Theatre, I’ve honed my stage presence across nearly 20 paid sets. My diverse performance history includes events like What’s the Move, the Ms. Vancouver Pageant, Plug Vancouver, and Gallery. Most recently, I delivered a standout performance at Music BC’s Let’s Hear It Showcase.
One of the coolest moments in my career was rocking the stage at the Do It For The Culture Fest in Kelowna. The vibe was electric, and the crowd’s energy was off the charts! I’m also buzzing with excitement for my upcoming show with the P-Pop supergroup Bini. It’s going to be an epic experience, and I can’t wait to share it with my fans.
The Arc Accelerator opportunity has been a total game-changer for me. This recognition is like rocket fuel for my passion to keep making music that hits home and gets people grooving. I’m super excited to dive into new creative adventures and share every step of my journey with an ever-growing audience.
Name:
NIKKAELA
Genre:
R&B/Soul/Hip Hop/Pop
Founded:
2021
# of Albums:
1
Latest Album:
Babygirl
Latest Single:
Sinner
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Miley Cyrus
Favourite musician now:
Kehlani, Destin Conrad, Maeta
Guilty pleasure song:
Endless Night by Maeta
Live show ritual:
Rehearsal, Drink lots of tea, spoonful of honey, prayer circle with the team, meditation & visualizing the performance, silence and alone time.
Favourite local musician:
Tempo Festejo
EP or LP?
EP
Early bird or night owl?
Night Owl
Road or studio?
STUDIO
Any shows or albums coming up?
Just released to all platforms my latest single Sinner, and my latest EP called”Look, Don’t Touch”. Performance in Toronto for “Come Together Toronto” in November
Where can we follow you?
TikTok | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Plato Filipino by Joyce Collingwood Skytrain Station
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Kingsway is my Vancouver street in all of Vancouver because I grew up around this area. Along this road are all the gems of restaurants, malls, vicinities, parks and city staples. This road would typically be my main road used to travel to all different kinds of places when I was growing up.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
My favourite park would definitely be Collingwood Park. This neighbourhood park is where I met my first-ever childhood sweetheart. My brothers, cousins and friends would bike and spend our summers here. Most of my early teenage years were spent at this park.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
My favourite venues in the city are torn between The Commodore Ballroom & The Centre for Performing Arts. These venues are places I would like to perform in and sell out one day.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
My favourite music store in the city is Beat Street Records along Hastings St. In my free time or whenever I’m in need of new inspiration, I love going to the vinyl store and go crate digging. Best vinyls, great selections, wonderful aesthetic and my favourite place to explore for new/timeless music.
