A&R REPORT: NATASHA: NOM DE CODE NIKITA
Natasha AKA La' Femme Nikita has it all. She can deliver witty lyrics with the best of her southern bretheren, yet sing better than you're average A&R groupie. Representing Texas, the former Making the Band 3 finalist is making a name for herself without the help of Diddy or MTV. Be sure to request her latest single "Patrón" on your local radio station.
How old are you?How old do you think I am, lol! I'm 21 years old! How old are you?
When did you start performing?Wow, let's see... I have been singing solos in church, and performing in talent shows since the age of 7. Around the time I turned 13 I started rapping, I guess you can say that's around the time my alter ego La Femme NIKITA was born, lol! You couldn't shut me up then, every chance I got to perform it was on! I didn't care, when company came over the house it was show time, lol! I used to line my stuffed animals up on my living room couch and pretend they were my audience, lol! I was writing my own songs then, and I had this little kareoke machine that I would play my older brothers rap instrumentals on and, I would just sing my little heart out! And don't interupt my performance, or I am starting over, and you're going to sit through the whole thing again, lol!
Name some of the artist who have inspired or influenced you?Man, it's so many. I guess you could say I've been influenced alot by mainly East Coast artist like Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Nas, The Notorious BIG, and Jay-Z. When I was growing up, those were the artist who dominated the scene. I actually sung "Real Love" by Mary J. Blige at my middle school talent show! That was one of my best performances, lol! You should have seen me with the 2 buns on top of my head, and my outfit on, trying to look like Mary J., lol! Other artist that have played a major part in influencing me and my style are my fellow Texans, UGK, DJ Screw, Scarface, Geto Boys, and Devin the Dude! My older brother Joonya, and cousin Eli, played them growing up so I always heard the music and was natuarally drawn to it.
How would you describe your style?Hmm, my style is sort of Lil' Wayne meets Lauryn Hill in a dark alley to talk about Tupac, lol! I know it sounds crazy, but here me out! If you mix these artist in a pot, sprinkle some Jay-Z and BIG on top... guess what you got, lol... me! Oh, and I guess you can wash that down with a large Mary J. Blige! Ha ha, I crack myself up! I sing and rap, so I have an advantage! I know what your thinking, yeah she sings and raps like any other pop hip-hop rap chick! No no no, I really can sing! Yes, Natasha can belt out r&b tunes like the best of them! Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, etc. Some have even dubbed me to be the new Lauryn Hill!
What separates you from other artists?I think what seperates me from other artists, is the fact that I'm real! I'm not fake, your not going to hear some magnificent story of how I did this, how my father owns that, and blah blah blah... you get me! You know what I'm saying! Like that popular 80's song "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey... Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world. She took the midnight train going anywhere! Except I took the midnight train going to New York, lol! My dad played that song all the time when I was little girl, and I didn't know the meaning until now! Really, I'm like any other girl growing up in this world! I truly believe, no matter the age your still growing like a child. Your still learning how to deal with lifes curve balls! I still have insecurities, and issues from my past that I deal with today! Alot of my issue are scripted into my music! You can relate to me! If anything I'm a solid role model for young teenage girls and boys!
Name some of the major artists you have performed with.My first performance in New York City, I had the opportunity to open up for Def Jam recording artist Sam Scarfo! That was a great experience, being a small town girl from Texarkana, and having NYC show so much love! Recently, I performed on a pilot episode for a BET talk show with Atlantic recording artist Wynter Gordon, and Flavor of Love's Dara "Like Dat" Boyd, and performed in Brooklyn with Bad Boy recording artist Babs Bunny, and Atlantic recording artist Deemi! That nite was crazier than ever, lol! A huge fight broke between Babs Bunny and some other chick, don't know who because i was out of there asap, lol! Did you here about that, It was all over the net? Anyway, we hung around outside the nite club doing invterviews, drops, and taking flix for various DVD magazines! Deemi is real cool and down to earth, didn't get a chance to holla at Babs though, lol! I did a performance in DC at the FELIX with Adina Howard, that was an amazing experience for me as well! I had never been to DC before, the energy was crazy! I've also collaborated with some major artist, ominous the track "That's My Boy" by Capitol recording artist Bossaliny, produced by Don Vito. Don Vito is famous for songs "Do It To It" by Cherish, and "Good Luck Charm" by Jagged Edge. It's suppsed to be on Bossaliny's album titled Bossaliny for president, I'm not sure how that project is doing. And I guest appeared on a remix of the song titled "Shake" with DJ Kay Slay's artist Hedonis Da Amazon, and Kool G Rap's wife Ma Barker!
Do you have any major offers on the table? If so what labels?You bet your bottom dollar I do, lol! Most of the offers, and not to sound like I'm putting myself on a pedastal, they are just not worth my time! So if it looks like I'm going to be making this amount, and I making more being independent, then where's the deal! Especially if there is a chance that I'll be sitting with out releasing anything! Whoa whoa whoa... if you gonna offer me a deal atleast come with something more attractive! I don't know that much about the business but enough to know that I'm very valuable! I work hard, very hard! A jack of all trades at that! I've master both genres of r&b and rap with independent releases that have had hit singles! Your girl has got the radio on lock in the South East! Dallas, Texarkana, Arkansas, Louisiana just to name a few. I've been profiled in major publications like Hip-Hop Weekly, and Rap Fanatic Magazine! Both major issues to, Hip-Hop Weekly with Lil' Wayne on the cover, and Rap Fanatic, with 50 Cent on the cover! My music video has aired on BET, and is currently in rotation on BET.com! Just recently, I was featured on Billboard.com's home page, with the premier of my new music video "Patrón!" My new single Patrón right now is the most requested song on Clearchannel.com! Look for that video on BET's 106 & Park real soon! With major money behind me, I'm sure to be a mega international hit, not to mention, I also model! You know what that means? Endorsments, which means double the exposure, double the money! Guess, Marciano, MAC... holla at your girl! Get it together, lol! Naw, I know that these labels are working hard to come at your girl with the best deal for both me and them. So far I've been negotiating with, Atlantic, Captiol, and Universal! Universal looks the most attractive, because it looks like I may have more control, like Janet did over at A&M lol!
What advice would you offer other aspiring authors?Like I said before, don't stop believing! Have faith! Whatever it may be, if your passionate about what you do, keep on doing it! Seriously, no matter what! I love doing this, it's my life! Protect what you do, meaning educate yourself about the business. Find out what you need to know, and study it! Nothing beats education! Also, it's very important you ask questions! Like they say the only dumb question, is an unanswered one! To my young authorettes, no matter what you see, or have been told, you can be successful in this male dominated industry with out taking your clothes off, or performing sexual favors! If you are presented with anything of the sort, like I have, walk away from it! You will lose all respect!
Any shout outs?Most definately! Shout out to She Records "My Bottom B%#@!", she always comes up with my bread, lol! The East Coast for showing your girl love! The South for ridin' with your girl!Essex County Gangland's notorious Sleep Nitty with 187 Music for working with me and helping me put it down on the East Coast! All the radio stations that have been giving me airplay! My manager Ken Goodwin, for believing in me! My Big Momma for being there and giving me that strength and courage! My momma Brenda and stepfather Gil for holding me down while I do this music! Can't forget about my older brother Joonya for guidence and my cousin Eli for being a rider, he put up with me, lol! Shout out to all my family, and everyone who showed your girl love on the come up! Make sure you download my album titled, nom de code: NIKITA on iTunes! Request my new single Patrón at your local radio station!
Your point of contact
To get intouch with yours truly, contact my manager Ken Goodwin directly at (862) 849-7776 or email kennethwgoodwin@gmail.com.
*For the latest news visit me on Myspace at www.myspace.com/nomdecodenikita or www.myspace.com/natashawalton
*For the latest in video subscribe to my YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/nomdecodenikita
BY BE'N ORIGINAL
