An Interview With The NYC-Based Musician, NIVA THE SOUL DIVA!

Niva the Soul Diva is a Houston raised but currently NYC-based artist. She recently released the music video to her single, “Hennessy Love”. The vocals on the track hypnotize you with strong influences of R&B and Soul. “Hennessy Love” is fun sexy and exciting song about capturing the heart of a positive lover. The music video is filmed in great locations throughout Brooklyn adding to the overall vibes of the song.

Niva the Soul Diva is known for her crowd-pleasing, unique, blend of R&B, rock, hip-hop, dance and soul. Having years to grow her artistry, she has situated herself as a facet in the independent music scene of New York. Drawing influences from multiple genres, Niva recently released her latest EP, Love, Life & Music. Three of her songs off the album, “Hennessey Love”, “I Am a Warrior”, and “You Never Deserved Me”, were acknowledged on the 2018 Grammy Ballot.

Recently, Niva has released her music video for the single “Hennessey Love”. The track is illuminated beautiful vocals and a strong R&B vibe, produced by the late Bronx producer ‘Stay High 149’. The music video is fun and exciting showing the true colors of Niva the Soul Diva.

Learn more about Niva The Soul Diva in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! So where does this interview find you? What’s on tap for the rest of your day?

Going to the gym, staying healthy and checking out some new tracks given to me by one of my producers.

Overall, how do you think 2017 was for you and your career? What is one big goal you have for 2018?

2017 could have and should have been better. My team and I put in a lot of work but it seems like the music industry just does not get it. 2018 started off great because I got to go to the Grammy awards and many other pre-Grammy events, it was awesome.

Growing up, did you ever think that this would be the kind of life that you would? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

From my early childhood I knew I wanted to sing. I first sang in church as a little girl and, from there, people knew I had a gift.

How do you think that your hometown has influenced the kind of artist that you are today and the kind of music that you make?

My hometown is Houston, Texas. My roots are in Louisiana, I am a southern girl through and through. When I came to NYC, people always made fun of my accent, but then they grow to love it. Being from the South, Soul is naturally apart of my natural makeup. But I also love Rock, Country, Pop, and Hip-Hop too. As an artist you must be well rounded.

How did you come up with your artist name? What it hard to find a name that represented who are as an artist?

The NIVA just came to me and it stuck. I had to call myself. I chose the full name Niva the Soul Diva because there is a Scandinavian artist called NIVA. People kept coming to my site and videos looking for him so we changed the name to Niva the Soul diva.

Let’s talk about your latest single called “Hennessy Love.” What was the inspiration for this track? What was it like making the music video for it? How creatively involved were you with the making of it?

The Hennessey Love track came from Stay High 149,  he worked with my producer Brother Jonathan.  While driving in the car the words and melody just jumped in my head.  Like most songwriters you can’t really tell where the ideas come from, they are just apart of you and your total musical experience. Making the video was so much fun – I had dancers and a glam team and makeup artists, the complete works. We spent a lot of precious money and put in a lot of work.

How do you think this track compares to the rest of your EP “Life, Love & Music”? What was it like making this EP? Did anything surprise you about the overall process? Do you remember what it was like hearing it all for the first time? How different do you think your next collection will be compared to this one?

The life love and music is not my first time doing this. I have had two full albums pit out to online stores. We did the EP the way we did the others, just siting around playing with sounds and beats and playing with our equipment. We have a very nice studio to record in and we have a basement rehearsal space.  Sometimes we go to Complete studios in Brooklyn NY to do projects or to rehearse. We have our own laser printing and photography and everything you need to create great products. I am involved in all decisions and I have a say in everything, the way things look and sound from the beginning to the end.

What has been your favorite performance so far? What do you think makes an ideal show for you?

I don’t have one favorite; they are all great memories for me. The show I did at the Shrine was special because an entire bus load of people from the UK came to see me and the place was packed and sold out. My performance at Groove in Greenwich Village was special because the club was packed and sold out. The audience went wild and I thought to myself, “Wow I’m on my way, it won’t belong now”. Unfortunately, record company A&R don’t come out to clubs anymore.

Do you have any upcoming live shows you would like to tell our readers about?

I will be returning to the Shrine again on June 9^th. I will also be at the Capitol Pride festival in Washington D.C. on June 10^th. It’s going to be a lot of work and I hope a lot of fun.

What has it been like keeping up with social media? How important has it been to your career overall so far?

I’m mainly on Instagram and I have to admit our social media skills could be better.

Times have changed and we have to roll with the times. What I have found is that unless you get on TV nobody cares. I know that’s a hard thing to admit to, but that is what it seems like now in 2018.

We are living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious how you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today? How do you think that music is going to reflect these challenging times?

Our job as musicians and songwriters is to bring joy and comfort to everyone.

Music touches the heart and mind. Music can help to change people’s attitudes towards other people. My song, “I Am a Warrior”, from the EP is to help people dealing with bullying – to change how they see themselves. Music is one of the most important things in any culture.

Without good music your culture and society will suffer.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? What musicians would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

Most of my inspirations are from the 60’s and 70’s. To get really good at this business you have to study the greats. My biggest influence is Tina Turner above and beyond and before anyone else. Mick Jagger and James Brown are also big on my list. Another big influence is a soul singer named Linda Jones, she was beyond amazing. I also idolize Sarah Vaughn and Sade.

I would love to work with Alicia keys or John Legend – I think we would be on the same page.

My dream is to meet Beyoncé, why? Cause we are both from H-Town!

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music?

I want people to know that there are great musicians and songwriters outside of the big corporate music industry that are worth listening to and spending money on. All music does not have to be slick commercialized formula pop. There are alternatives in every genre. Diversity in music is not good but great.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about yourself or your music?

Indie artists like me have paid our dues. We are just as good if not better than what you see on these pop TV shows. Give us our shot and let us shine.