Posts
Pathfinder Church RCCG
Artist name: Ni-Cola
Real name: Nicola
Favourite food: Jamaican jerk pork
Age: 28
Marital status: Single
Interviewer: why the differentiation in the spelling or pronunciation of your name?
Ni-Cola: this question always arises, firstly my mother was Jamaican, and the way she pronounced my name was with a Jamaican phrasing to it. However my whole life people would call me the British way “Nicola” as in Nic-hu –ler. When I reached college I decided I’ve had enough of being called the wrong name and from then I started correcting people. At first it was irritating but now most people call me Ni-Cola, years of hard work but definitely worth it.
Interviewer: So why did you change the way it was spelt?
Ni-Cola: When I started my music ministry, when comperes would introduce me they would always get it wrong, it was kind of embarrassing and so we played with a lot of ideas and the best one we found was “Ni-Cola” and it’s worked pretty well so far.
Interviewer: So you’re a Gospel singer, what exactly does that mean?
Ni-Cola: Well I wouldn’t exactly say that, when I first started in 2004 then yes that’s what I was known as, but as I’ve grown in this thing, whatever it is, it has become very difficult to categorise it. When I say it, I mean when I first began to minister on stages in front of different audiences at first I thought it was about performing, doing your best to engage the crowd, winning them to Jesus hopefully. After say a year or so, a holy frustration built up inside me where I’d be singing and God would be prompting me inside to speak, prophesy to the people. I was quite afraid at first, I knew this was not the thing to do, especially when someone has invited you to come and sing. So now I tell people who invite me i'm coming but I don’t know what will happen. Don’t blame me, blame God. As a minister of music I simply share the Gospel message though my music, the word in teaching or preaching, mentoring others and discipling, that’s what I really do.
Interviewer: Who or what are your main influences?
Ni-Cola: I get my inspiration from my relationship with God. If I didn’t have that to be honest I don’t know what else would be worth singing about. Also I listen to other musicians. On my ipod right now, I have been listening to Donnie Mclurkin, Da Truth, Jahaziel, Mary mary to name a few. I also draw inspiration from the people around me and their lives the good and the bad. It can all make a relative story.
Interviewer:What do you do when your not singing, how do you have fun?
Ni-Cola: Well i’m a very chilled out person so I don’t need much to have a good time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I looove to cook a good family meal. I love to watch good films , normally ones based on true stories, and just hanging out in general.
Interviewer: So you’re still single, why?
Ni-Cola: First of all I see singleness as a blessing not the way a lot of young people see it nowadays. I find I meet so many young people desperate to get married and are not even committed to Jesus their current husband. I see it as a blessing because if I was married right now then I probably wouldn’t be doing this interview right now, I wouldn’t be able to minister throughout the world because my priorities could be somewhat different. I believe in everything that your relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in a believer’s life. Marriage is awesome if that’s what you desire and what God has planned for you, but one doesn’t have to be so desperate that you hitch up with Mr wrong and spend your life hoping he dies quickly so you can remarry and not have to divorce him. Don’t get me wrong I will get married some day and it will be my choice to, but right now I’m happy living my life for Christ and encouraging others to celebrate. So ladies cheer up, the best is yet to come, he will find you, if your positioned to be found, and brothers keep seeking the face of God, because He that findeth a wife findeth a good thing.
Interviewer: What advice would you give a young person who felt like giving up on God?
Ni-Cola: We’ve all either been there or will eventually get to that place. It’s normal with all the crazy stuff we have to cope with on this journey we call life. The bible is a collection of history and prophecy where we see men rise and fall, but the difference between people is the ones who have just enough strength, just enough sense, just enough courage, just enough hope. To get back up again. I have been to this cross roads at many stages throughout my life, and almost died as a result, one thing I realised is that God never ever gives up on you. He is the one who will say yes when others speak no. He is the one who has allowed you to still be breathing all these years. If you want to see a change in your life then you have to stick around to see it. There is nothing in the world that will bring joy or peace just temporary happiness. Jesus said in the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.
Interviewer: So we hear you have just released 2 new singles with collaborations from Guvna B, AND Tunday.
Ni-Cola: Wow yes my new singles “Breakthrough” and “After the rain” have just come out at the end of January; it’s so exciting right now, because people are really getting the songs, not just musically but spiritually and lyrically. When you write songs as a minister you don’t just want people to enjoy it, you want the power of the Holy Ghost to bring truth, bring change, healings, everything really. That’s my prayer through my music that peoples lives will be changed and that ultimately salvation will come.
Interviewer: So where can we get the singles and whats next for Ni-Cola in 2010.
Ni-Cola: The singles are available on Itunes/Napster/Emusic and all good digital stores. Also if I minister at an event near you then we have limited cd’s available also. We are currently working on my 2nd album. I feel through my five years of ministry I have learnt so much as an artist, both musically and ministerially, so this album should really reflect the growth that has taken place within me. I have seen God do many great things throughout this journey and look forward to what he will do this year. I’m also mentoring this year which has been a blessing to share my knowledge and gifts with others and is really where you see the multiplication. Ni-Cola has a lot of things planned for this year but doesn’t want to give it all away so check out her website to keep up to date.
Interviewer: I hear you have just returned from Touring in Germany?
Ni-Cola: Yes we had a powerful time, sharing the Gospel with the Germans, to think so many years ago Hitler was doing all sorts in that nation and now I’m there spreading the Good news, God is good. We met so many awesome people and worked with a ministry called Victory outreach Düsseldorf, a church plant in the heart of Düsseldorf, they are doing a great work in the church and local area, and it was great to be a part of it. The only thing when you tour though its so tiring, people think oh yes a shopping trip, but everything was constant, we had no time for shopping, (Ni-Cola laughs).
Interviewer: Well Ni-Cola it has been a pleasure hearing what God is doing, any final words to your fans.
Ni-Cola: Keep supporting me guys, all we want to do is make Jesus Christ famous, it takes more than just me to do that it takes all of us. Keep the ministry in prayer, support us at events, buy the cd’s and more importantly stay close to Jesus.
Love Ni-Cola
Follow Ni-Cola on Facebook/Twitter/myspace.com/ni-colaministries
To financially support Ni-Colaministries please email us at info@ni-cola.com
For bookings:email-bookings@ni-cola.com
Website: www.ni-cola.com
