Niyoki
NIYOKI (Nie-oh-kee): "serious minded and responsible" define the name of this anointed songstress and growing presence in the gospel arena.
"MY EVERYTHING," her solo, gospel debut is a testament to the focus and dedication that can be born out of something you truly love. For Niyoki, the love is not music alone, but the love of God. Raised the daughter of a pastor, from an influential clan of respected musicians - The Whites - in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Niyoki's own voice joined the harmonies of her family at age six. Over the years, the family amassed five albums and a legion of eager audiences across the country. This up close training in both the art of praising from the heart and the lessons of good performance skills was a platform for her musical journey.
Niyoki, along with the synergetic harmonies of her three sisters, combined later on to form Pure White. With their parents no longer serving as managers, the sisters ventured deeper into the music industry, gigging alongside stellar talents such as Boyz II Men and Prince (who would change their lives and their names). MILINEA was born, along with a chance for Niyoki to quench her thirst for learning from the greats around her. "We got to work with Prince ... in the studio... doing all of his background vocals... toured with him ... concerts ... It was such an amazing experience. Prince was a master musician and he taught us so much. He taught me how to control my voice. He taught me the simplicity of singing and how best to use my voice as an instrument."
The sluggish course that groups can find themselves on, in the fast paced world of mainstream artists such as R. Kelly and others (who also anticipated opening doors for the sisters); found MILINEA moving with slower motion than their talents deserved. "We would have people say they were going to sign us and then nothing would happen. I was crushed by so many 'close call' moments." Yet her powerful name foretold her purpose in life. Her mother, a high school teacher of French and Spanish, chose for each child meaningful names. With this, Niyoki was given, yet another platform for purpose.
College education and a strong sense of family became tools to keep the balance when the industry promises became overwhelming. for Niyoki. "I really started to question my purpose; therefore I also realized that I couldn't sit still anymore. As God would have it, Ralph Stacy reached out to me about doing a song with him. I told him that I would only be interested in doing something gospel, something meaningful. He suggested that we write something and that just started me on a path that would forever change my life."
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