Nivea is really doing her thing right now. She took a bit of a break from the industry and now she is back in a big way. Her single "Okay" featuring Lil Jon and Youngbloodz is mad hot and the single and video are doing really well.

Nivea got into the music business at a very young age. Her first major impact on the industry was when she appeared on Mystikal's hit single "Danger." She soon went on to release her debut album which included the two hit singles, "Don't Mess With My Man," and "Laundromat." Nivea is so easy to talk to and our interview was so fun we could have talked all day...but time didn't permit. Nivea is really happy. Happy with her career and happy with her marriage and new baby on the way. I could feel the happiness and positive energy in her voice. Nivea's album Complicated hit's stores in May.

Your first album came out was it late 2002 or 2003?
Nivea-It was late...oooh..I think it was late 2001. It's been a minute.

What have you been doing in between the albums?
Nivea- I took a break. I switched management twice. I went through a bunch of crap. Now I'm finally getting it all together now.

Yeah I know we hadn't really heard much from you since "Laundromat," hadn't heard you on any soundtracks or anything.
Nivea-Yeah I just kinda dipped.

You got in the game really young. How did you go about getting your deal?
Nivea-Umm... I signed when I was 14. I was still in high school. I spent those 4 years doing my demo. After I graduated. Later on that summer of 2000 we went to New York to shop for my deal and I signed with Jive at 18.

I just thought of this question right before the interview. Have you heard the chopped and screwed version of "Danger?"
Nivea-No.

What do you think of the whole chopped & screwed concept?
Nivea-I don't know. It's just a little different. I guess if you are used to it. Like I know a lot of people are used to it in the area where they play it. I can't listen to it it's kinda aggravating.

"Okay" is a really hot song and I knew it was a hit the first time I heard it. Where you ever frustrated that it took awhile for radio and video to pick it up in a big way?
Nivea-Actually, no because it has been doing a consistent climb. Like it's doing a gradual climb. That is great. As long it's still on there and it's slowly verses it shoot up and shoot off real quick. I look at it as a positive thing. I love the song, I knew it was going to catch on real big and I knew it was going to catch on, with spring cause it's that type of song you want to be out in the sun. It's a club record, but a happy song, make you want to have fun.

Did you have anything to do with the concept of the video?
Nivea-I did. We just wanted it to show case like I said, having a good time. The girls start off in my hair salon, and we are just talking, you know how we do before we go out trying to get all cute just talking and gossiping about stuff and the fellas are in the barber shop doing there thing getting ready for the party and we all go outside and meet for this street party I guess. Just chillin' real laid back.

What kind of music are your feeling right now?
Nivea-I've also been a big fan of neo soul music. I like jazzy stuff like that. I listen to a little of everything. There is this rock band named Sparta that I like. I love Maroon Five. Amiel Lareux, I love Jill Scott and Bilal and love Brandy, Brandy is awesome. It's kinda mixed up there.

I have a question. If you want to pass you can pass. Niveafan.com and a couple of other websites are reporting that you are expecting do you want to confirm the information?
Nivea-Yes, I will confirm that. I am having a little girl.

Congratulations!
Nivea-Thank you!

Do you have any concerns about how motherhood might impact your career?
Nivea-Not at all. I have been doing everything with my belly. So it's been a great experience for me. As soon as she is here we will be back on the road and she'll be with us.

You'll be fine. I have two small kids. I do more now than before I had kids.
Nivea-Oh that's great.

Speaking of Niveafan.com, it's a great fan site and updated frequently. How do you feel about a fan doing all of that for you?
Nivea-Ohmigosh, I know that fan site. When we first heard about it which was some years ago we were amazed like, "Where did they get all of these pictures from?" The guy who created the site, he had pictures I didn't even have and he did it all by himself. I was like, "Wow this is crazy." I guess he wanted to do Niveafans. I thought it was the strangest most mind blowing thing. Actually, every now and then, Dream, we keep in touch and contact him and somebody at the label does we update him on several things. It's a good site. I don't like some of the comments people say, I get mad, I'll be like, "Stop it." I try not to pay attention to it.

Tell me about the album Complicated? Did you do any writing on the album?
Nivea-I definitely did some writing on the album. It's called Complicated, it's not coming from a very personal stand point at all, it's not like from my diary to everyone else type of thing. I have a couple of songs that are very personal and you can tell from the lyrical content, like the song called "Complicated." It sums up how I am and where I am right now in my life, I have this one called "It's All Good," and "No More." The rest of them, showcase different types of women and how they feel about certain things and we are complicated. So I named it Complicated, that's pretty much it, it's hot.

Do you have any guests on the album? I know you have Lil Jon and The Youngbloodz on the first single.
Nivea-Dream is featured on the remix that is so off the chain. He is also featured on the song, "I Can't Mess With You." R. Kelly is featured on a song called "Gangsta Girls." Rasheeda is featured on another song on the album, it's cool.

I remember a spread you did in Sister 2 Sister Magazine a few years ago. Do you have any regrets about being so open about your relationships and personal business in the past?
Nivea-No I don't. I don't. I am trying to figure out why I don't. I really don't now. I'm really happy now with Dream and my marriage and my baby and everything. I'm so happy about that. People have said I need to calm down because it's like the first thing out of my mouth. Okay let them ask you. I'm blessed. This is a dream come true, this is more than a dream come true. I'm happy.

I know you are doing a lot of promotion and interviews. Does it ever get tiring?
Nivea- What you have to keep in mind is that you are talking to someone for the first time. You want people to know the truth and know about you and your music. So, you treat it like, I'm just blessed to be in the position that people want to hear about me.

During your time away did you chill and watch the music business and plan your foray back into the music business.
Nivea- Oh. I did, but I , when I was chillin' I wasn't paying attention to anything. I was trying to get myself together. Thank god for Dream. I was a mess.

Have you gone overseas to do any promotion? I know you are real big overseas?
Nivea- I've been over there a few times. I've been to Japan, Australia, Germany a couple of times, I will be back later this year, and I will be touring this summer.

Do you like to shop?
Nivea-I love to shop! Who doesn't? When I heard one of my friends say, "I don't like shopping?" I was like you are on drugs.

What is your favorite thing to shop for-shoes, clothes or purses?
Nivea- -That's too hard. Because I am in love with shoes, hats and purses. I have so many purses and shoes and hats you need to stop. Those three any day.

Has the second single from the album been picked?
Nivea- No, but we are going to throw the remix at radio in a minute, since "Okay" is doing what it's doing and this remix is so hot. Hopefully, you will hear this until we release the second single.

I read that you have been writing a script, can you tell me more about that or is it top secret?
Nivea- That was a little bit of a mix up.Actually, I'm not. I am interested in doing that. I want to be a script writer. I remember saying that to some people. They asked me if I was interested in acting and I said, "Definitely," but my main goal is to write movies and direct films. Actually, we have written a couple, me and my hubby.

It's good you all can work together.
Nivea- He's a genius I'm trying to get everything in his brain and put it in my mind. My boo boo be working me. He's a producer and a writer. This is what he does 24/7. I'm more on the singing aspect. He helps me get more into my craft and what I want to do as well as the business side. He came in and I have him doing everything. Because I have been so mislead and so jerked around and not even really wanting to seek the knowledge of what my name was on. I was like, "Okay and I trust you."

Listen to Nivea talk about her "Boo Boo"

Do you have any advice for young women who get in the music business?
I'm going to tell them right now, You are not going to be respected. You can't trust anyone, male or female. You have to research everything that you hear, you have to research it and know the business as much as possible. I know a lot of artist use the excuse, "I'm on the creative thing," and if you what's being said and done in your name in the end you are going to be paying for it and nobody else, it's going to be you to blame and Lord knows I learned that lesson.

Any last comments?
No, thanks for your time and everyone please vote for the video.

Nivea Official Website
http://www.niveamusic.com

Featured New Music Okay-by Nivea featuring Lil Jon and The Youngbloodz

It's been a few years but Jive recording artist Nivea is back. Nivea came onto the music scene appearing on Mystikal's hit song "Danger." She then released her debut album which included the hits "Don't Mess With My Man," and "Laundromat." Nivea's latest single "Okay" is so hot. Her sophomore album Complicated is due in April. Check out audio and video for "Okay." Okay audio RAM Okay audio WMA

Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, and Thabiz.com 2005
Dorrie Williams-Wheeler is the author of Be My Sorority Sister Under Pressure and the Unplanned Pregnancy Book for Teens and College Students. She is the founder of Thabiz.com and Imissthe80s.com and writes for the Rap, Teen, and 1980s section at Bellaonline.com. She is an ASCAP member as a writer and a publisher. Please contact Dorrie for advertising inquiries, lyric writing inquiries, reprint rights, paying entertainment jobs, or general comments.
Visit Dorrie on the web at www.sparkledoll.com or e-mail her at webmaster@thabiz.com.
Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, thabiz.com March 2005.