An artist of mixed heritage (French-Canadian and Nigerian). At a young age Music was always heard in her household, but it was the gift of a small keyboard when she was in Grade One that piqued Naika’s interest in singing and composing. “I loved that piano,” Naika reflects, “but we couldn’t afford lessons so I used to just play everything by ear. The first song I ever played was Heart and Soul. While other kids would go outside and play, I stayed inside and would record my voice over and over trying to emulate Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, two of my greatmusical influences.
By the time she turned 13, she had set her sights on a career in music, joining gospel choirs and singing publicly. She would soon move with her family to Montreal, which provided the perfect backdrop and inspiration to begin pursuing her dream. She performed in Musique Plus’s Karaoklip episode “Becoming Aaliyah”. In 2003, she participated in Rapsody’s Hal Jackson’s Talented Teen Competition and explored theatre through Montreal’s Black Theatre Workshop. In 2007, she co-directed the gospel choir V.O.I.X., which was featured on BET’s Dr. Bobby Jones Special. She performed at local gigs and sang backing vocals for various artists at Akon’s Hit Lab Showcase in Montreal among others. In the summer of 2010, she hit the road as a backing vocalist for Quebec recording artist Bobby Bazini.
Naika, being inspired by fashion, loves to sew and design her own outfits.
Her first music video song titled “Rock It Off” released October 31, 2012, showcases some of her designs.The release of her first single Piano man is available on iTunes. She recently released a new single entitled Tug of war. and is currently working on new projects. Naika modelled for lafw, style fashion week and art hearts fashion week walking for one of the biggest designers Ivan Gunawan in los angeles ss17 season, Where she was featured on the cover of international magazine kabari. She is in the current issue March/ April edition of Sophisticate’s Black hair Magazine and is planning to continue in print. She has recently featured in unreleased music videos of artists Jazze Pha, Massari, Young Paris, Tiwa Savage, Ty Dolla sign, Lecrae, and Busta Rhymes. Naika’s powerful vocals are showcased on her YouTube Channel:
https://www.facebook.com/Naikaoko
https://www.instagram.com/Naikaoko
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