NIKO IS

Nikolai Paiva (born June 10, 1988), better known by his stage name Niko Is (stylized as NIKO IS), is an American hip hop recording artist born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Currently based in Orlando , Florida, he is signed to Talib Kweli's Javotti Media.^[1] Niko's catalogue includes projects like Chill Cosby and the Good Blood LP, which were both released to generally positive reviews and moderate success.^[2] His Javotti Media debut, Brutus, will be produced by frequent collaborator, Thanks Joey and is slated for a 2014 release.

Early life

Nikolai Paiva was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, his mother's home country. The two moved to Florida when Niko was seven years of age.^[3] Niko began showing an interest in music while attending Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, where he began working with record producer, Thanks Joey.^[4] The duo released a number of popular singles and mixtapes. Niko was known in school for performing spontaneous freestyle rap and drawing crowds. After high school, Niko pursued his music career and developed a style influenced by an assortment of genres, from hip hop and funk to jazz and bossa nova.^[5]

Career

2012 - Chill Cosby

In 2012 Niko Is independently released Chill Cosby. The mixtape was well received locally and would help Niko garner a strong internet buzz. The single, "Steffi Graf" featuring Action Bronson, was featured on popular websites such as HipHopDX, 2DopeBoyz, Complex Magazine and others.^[6][7][8] The independent project landed Niko an interview with Vibe Magazine and aligned him with regional tastemakers, such as DJ Smallz and Ayo the Producer.^[9][10]

2013 - Good Blood LP

Good Blood, a precursor to his long awaited Brutus project, was Niko's first release in 2014. The title is the literal English translation of the Brazilian term, 'Sangue Bom' and Niko says that he created many characters in the album to be direct representations of his culture.^[11] Good Blood was entirely produced by Thanks Joey with the exception of "Floss," produced by Krikos and the self-produced "Onda". The project received positive reviews, with Orlando Weekly commenting, "Bigger than his fro and a clear level up, Good Blood is the sound of an artist hitting major-league stride." ^[12] In May 2013, Niko recorded a song with industry veteran, Talib Kweli, for his Brutus project. Kweli would then develop an interest in Niko's career and ask him to join his Javotti Media label.

Brutus - Present

Niko is currently writing and recording his next project, Brutus, with longtime collaborator, Thanks Joey. The album will be released through Javotti Media and will feature Talib Kweli and other notable artists.^[13]

In an interview with Vibe Magazine, Niko was asked about his name and what it represented, to which he responded, "Niko Is... I’m just a rapper, Gemini, expressing myself through my music, living, enjoying life. The whole idea [behind] Niko Is – my name’s Nikolai – is every time I make a song or an album, I think conceptually – 'Niko is dot dot dot'... Last album, I happened to be Chill Cosby and that was my chill side, laid back. I kind of just adapt. I have so many sides of me. With my music, I like portraying that. I feel everybody’s just too one dimensional. People are more complex than that, so by being like Niko Is, I always have a chance to portray a different side. There’s a more serious side, more royal. Brutus. Niko Is adaptable."^[14]

Discography

Mixtapes

References