Years active 2008-2015 | Active until 2015 | |
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Labels Reprise Records (2008-2011)Born Rich Inc (2011-2015) Genres Urban contemporary, Contemporary R&B, Electronic dance music Similar Big Mike, Mieka Pauley, Brad Mehldau Trio, Sofi Bonde, Anna Järvinen Profiles | ||
Nikki & Rich was an R&B group, made up of Nikki Leonti & Rich Velonskis.
Contents
Career
Leonti is a California-born pastor's daughter who grew up singing in church.
Velonskis is a Queens, NY-born former DJ and established hip-hop/R&B producer who got his start spinning in New York City clubs as a teenager. They met in 2007. Nikki was based in Nashville working as a background singer for Carrie Underwood and Rich was in Los Angeles producing tracks for Eve, Robin Thicke, Mario, and Ludacris, under his moniker Rich Skillz. A track he produced on Ludacris' No. 1 album Release Therapy earned Rich a "Best Rap Album" Grammy.
Rich was looking for a vocalist and lyricist to collaborate with and he found Nikki. The two began working together in December 2008, writing and recording up in Rich's Hollywood Hills home studio. Nikki & Rich signed with Reprise Records in 2009 and set work on a debut album titled Everything. Following their departure from the label, the duo released an EP titled Finally Free on their official site for their fans on March 8, 2011. Additionally, they contributed a cover of the 80s hit Mr. Big Stuff for the feature film Hop. They continued to tour throughout the year, with the release of their debut album (now titled Greatest Hits...) on digital services on September 27, 2011.
In 2015, Nikki & Rich announced their disbanding.
EPs
Singles
Songs
Cat & Mouse2009
Next Best Thing2009
This Time of Year2009