Niva – I Can Love You Better

New song  Niva – I Can Love You Better

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Tell us about where you are from and how you got to this position today.
I am originally from the third ward of Houston, Texas and my family tree runs back to Louisiana.
I now live in Brooklyn New york. Houston is mostly about rap music, i felt i had to leave there if i was ever going to be a successful R&B singer. I had been to L.A and did some projects but that scene was not for me. i knew i had to come to new york. I sold everything and came to new york with nothing but a few suitcases.
I did not know anyone or have a place to live. When i started asking around about getting a place to live everyone laughed at me and told me to get on the bus and go back home. I had no idea how tough it was going to be. By the grace of God i met other musicians and music industry people who accepted me and helped me.

What are you currently working on and what can we expect to see?
At this time my primary focus is on promoting my cd ‘Rollercoaster Love’ which just came out .My team and i do everything ourselves and it’s a big job. When you’re with a major record label you have the resources of a huge corporation behind you. but if you’re going the indie route it takes alot of time and energy and dedication. it’s a good thing i’m young, i try to use every minute of the day to be productive and creative. i’m also working on my fifth music video. It’s a video for my song ‘what have you done to me’. the song is one of my top crowd pleasers and the video is something i have wanted to do for a long time. The song was produced by a european production team called square bass. We usually do our videos in 3 or 4 shooting sessions in different locations. My team and i like shooting outside, indoor green screen stuff gets boring after awhile. We’re already planning to push my next single for the CD called ‘come on over’, we’re looking for a leading man for that. LOL. We’re also concentrating on getting some major TV appearances,
but as an indie it is very very hard, but thats ok, nothing good comes easy.

What is one of the most drastic changes you’ve made about yourself in the last year?
Thats easy, i lost 21 pounds. In this industry you must be slim and in shape. There are always exceptions to the rule but for the most part thats the way it is. i started exercising and proper eating and i went from a size 14 to size 7. I go to the gym five times a week and do strength training and cardio. i work very hard on my abs and thighs. i cut out all fast food and most junk food. i go to the farmers market twice per week where i get all natural organic cakes and pies. a girl must have her sweets you know lol.

Tell us about one of the hardest challenges you had to face in the industry?
Finding good people to work with is very hard. music industry success does not happen by miracles there are no storybook fairytales. Those things are very rare. finding professionals to work with who believe in you and who will invest their time and resources into you career is very challenging and difficult. most people you meet are all talk and no substance. There are alot of fakes out here.

What was one of the biggest set backs in your career and how did you bounce back?
My biggest setback was the death of my Grandfather who was my greatest supporter, and also becoming homeless. i bounced back by getting myself together, and leaving all the negativity behind me. which means i left Houston for a better life. Leaving Houston was the best thing

What are some things artists need to be careful of?
Artist need to be careful of signing papers with managers who can’t or won’t do anything. If somebody wants to manage you, you need to look at their track record. Put them to the test and see what they can get you. You could ruin your career before you even get started by signing a piece of paper with someone who could care less about you. Make sure the person is doing things now and not trying to impress you with what they did 20 years ago.

What would you spend a million dollars on?
I would help people. i know what it is like to be homeless and hungry. I would help kids and young teens. It would be a tool for me to help people turn their lives around. Then i would go crazy and buy all the makeup and perfume i want. I’m a makeup and perfume fanatic! LOL!

What was your biggest risk taken in your career?
Coming to new york city. I left everything i knew in Houston. I had no clue as to where i would live or how much an apartment in new york costs. The cost of housing in new york can be more than triple the cost of housing in Houston. even food in new york costs more. i took a big chance coming here like i did. I had to do it. i want to be a urban music success and a star.

What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
For other artists i would suggest Follow your dreams and keep God First . Do your homework and learn everything about the businessside of the music industry. People will try to win you over and make promises. Nothing is ever guaranteed, but it is impossible with hard work and dedication.

What are the best ways to sell your products as an artist?
in todays industry people are mostly selling online. I highly recommend cdbaby, itunes, rhapsody and also tunecore. These are the top sites to sell your product and also creating a music video for promotional purposes is a great way to promote and sell as well. Youtube youtube .

What is one of your favorite ways to promote yourself and your music?
My favorite way of promoting my music, is shooting music videos and using twitter, myspace, facebook, youtube and also getting articles and issuing press releases.

Any last comments or statements?
I would like to thank WWS for this wonderful interview, my team,and all my supporters, fans and my family back home i love you guys. Also to all the readers Dream Big Dreams do come true! PUSH PUSH PUSH thats my motto LOL.