The Digital Divide Magazine - Issue 007

Musician Feature: Nikisha Pramee: NN's Music Gem! A Voice Like An Angel

The Digital Divide Magazine truly believes in supporting, empowering and promoting local musicians - it not only helps the local economy, but the community as well. It keeps local artists, musicians, venues, restaurants/bars, and music appreciation lively and strong!

Our team has done extensive research and discovered a GEM in our own backyard! Nikisha “Niki” Pramee, a local musician who was specifically chosen to perform on an international platform on numerous occasions! We are honoured to have done this feature on such a talented vocalist who has recorded more than two albums! The Digital Divide Magazine wishes Nikisha everything of the best in her music career, keep singing those beautiful melodious tunes!

How long have you been a musician?

Being born into a musical family, I shared the passion that my Mum (Meera - Queenie) and Dad (Rakesh - Zibs) had for music. I officially started singing in our family band from the age of seven. Being exposed to music from the time I could remember, I would often wander into my Dad's music room where his instruments used to be set up for rehearsals almost every night. These would include a tabla set, keyboards, harmonium, guitars, flutes and a whole host of instruments. I would attempt playing a few, and eventually watched my dad and learnt from him.

What's your signature style of music?

My late Dad, fondly known as Zibs, loved ghazals, and golden oldies. I share the same signature style of music. As a performer, I will attempt all types and styles of music, but my preference is golden oldies, especially songs from the evergreen Lataji. Sufi music is also something I enjoy listening to and well, for the romantic in all of us, your typical filmy love songs

Who is Your inspiration to sing?

My parents are my greatest inspiration to sing. Especially my dad. When he passed away 3 years ago, I found myself struggling to get back wholeheartedly into singing again.

I was blessed with my baby boy the very same year and his eyes light up when I sing to him, so he is my new inspiration at present, along with my mum and partner Kiran

Have you released any music professionally?

When I was very young, 19 years old, I was approached by a popular music producer from Durban and we worked on a project where we remixed golden oldies. It was my first release called NIKI Thereafter, they created an original song called ITS MY LIFE and that was my second album. The third album was called Pehela Pyar.

Looking back, there’s so many things I would have done differently, but at that time, people enjoyed whatever was released and that is the whole objective, to reach the ears and hearts of people.

Do you sing for functions and events?

I'm lead female vocal in a local band Avantika Sangeeth, and I also do private functions with my partner in music and life, Kiran Bhagwandeen who plays the Saxophone & vocals.