While New Britain, CT native Niki Ellis was raised on hip-hop by her father (who was a DJ), everything changed when she heard Lil Kim’s classic “Not Tonight” remix in 1997. It was her first time hearing women rap and Ellis knew, even at a young age, that she wanted to be an MC. And on her debut mixtape, Unexpected, she has put her all into staying true to the genre she loves while also pushing it forward.
The 11 tracks on this project are just as inspired as they are diverse. Even though Niki Ellis tackles a variety of sounds and topics, her commanding voice and flexible flow keeps the tape grounded and very much of her making. And you’ll know that as soon as you hear opening track “All Day,” a massive and braggadocious banger featuring singer Autuore (who appears on several tracks).
Unexpected is available for purchase on itunes, and you can also stream via DatPiff.
