Queen Nikki says ‘No skin out’ on new EP - Believes times call for something different

Queen Nikki is readying herself for the mixed views her debut EP will trigger.

Having built her career on being daring, raw and uncut on stage, the dancer-turned-artiste said that she knows there are expectations that the tracks will represent that side of dancehall.

"But there are some who, when they got the preview, were supportive. They haven't heard me sing certain types of songs and are immediately impressed," Queen Nikki told THE STAR. "What I am bringing to the table is still dancehall, but no 'skin out' for this EP. There's a lot of that, and it doesn't mean I won't do more sexy songs, but these times call for something different. At the end of the day, I have always had fans that don't like the 'skin out'-type of entertainment, and others that do."

The five-track production, titled Struggles and Pain, is spearheaded by Boysie Records and iClips Records. It speaks about Queen Nikki's difficult childhood and all songs focus directly on her growth.

IT'S MY LIFE

"It's my life, past, present and future; things I go through and how I overcome them," she said. "We talking life, with five of us, me, my mom and my sisters, living in a small board house that leaked when it rained and not having light, using torch when we could. I have a song that shares our experience with severe financial strain."

The Nuh Dog Ears singjay shared that two tracks are dedicated to her mother. And although she thought of including a tribute to her father, who passed away last August, she is reserving it for a project later this year.

Work started on the Struggles and Pain EP in late February and it is scheduled for release this month. Referring to the career of Lady Saw, Queen Nikki expressed that she strives to make an impact with her sensuous lyrics, but also wants to be a leader.

"Once me tell my mind I'm going to something, I do it. I'm a determined person. Nuff people never know before dancing [that] I was an artiste first, who went by the name Miss Attitude, and I always knew I'd return to my passion," she said. Queen Nikki said that she is anxious, but not nervous, for people to receive her music.

"I already see where I've made my mom proud of me. A lot of persons wonder how and why me do it. But as a mother, when you look at your children and look back at your own past, you know it's important to do what you need to," Queen Nikki continued.