Nikka Costa

Nikka Costa is an Australian-American singer celebrated for her eclectic blend of pop, soul, and blues music. Born as Domenica Costa on June 4, 1972, in Tokyo, Japan, she was raised in a musically inclined family, with her father, the renowned music producer and musician Don Costa, serving as a significant source of inspiration.

Nikka’s musical journey began at a tender age, and she made her mark as a child singer in the early 1980s. At the age of five, she recorded a single alongside Hawaiian singer Don Ho. Her talent and charm caught the attention of Italian producers Danny B. Besquet and Tony Renis, who collaborated with her father on an album titled “Don Costa Plays the Beatles.” Impressed by Nikka’s vocals, they subsequently recorded an album featuring her, and she gained recognition as a child star. Her early career highlights include a memorable performance with Frank Sinatra at the White House when she was just nine years old.

As Nikka matured, she veered away from pop music and embraced R&B, funk, and soul, heavily influenced by Motown artists. In the early 1990s, she transitioned into a more mature soul style and married Australian producer/songwriter Justin Stanley. Together, they moved to Australia, where Nikka formed bands like “Little Mona & the Shag Daddies” and “Sugarbone,” showcasing her growth as an artist and gaining recognition in the Australian music scene.

In 1996, Nikka released her album “Butterfly Rocket” in Australia, which earned her nominations for the ARIA Music Awards, highlighting her rising prominence. However, it was her song “Like a Feather,” featured in a Tommy Hilfiger television advertising campaign, that brought her to the attention of the U.S. music industry. This exposure, along with her album “Everybody Got Their Something” (2001), helped her solidify her presence in the American music scene.

Throughout her career, Nikka Costa collaborated with notable artists like Mark Ronson and Lenny Kravitz and achieved considerable success with her albums such as “Can'tneverdidnothin'” (2005) and “Pebble to a Pearl” (2008). Her music has also been featured in movies and television shows, further expanding her reach and influence.

Currently signed with Stax Records, Nikka continues to showcase her musical prowess. Notably, she released the album “Nikka & Strings: Underneath and in Between” in 2017, featuring captivating covers of rock standards.