Niko Walters

Last updated

Niko Walters
Birth nameNikora Walters [1]
Born Auckland, New Zealand
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • electric guitar [4]
Years active2019–present
Labels Universal Music New Zealand, Ricochet Records
Website www.nikowalters.com

Nikora "Niko" Walters is a New Zealand contemporary soul and R&B musician. Debuting in 2019, Walters is best known for the "Not My Neighbour" (2020), which was certified double platinum and was one of the top singles of 2021 in New Zealand. Walters released his debut album Escape in 2020, followed by White Flag Waves in 2022.

Contents

Biography

Walters grew up in Auckland. [5] Of Māori descent, he has whakapapa to the Northland tribes of Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi. [1] He learnt guitar socially from family members, never receiving formal lessons, [4] and learnt to produce songs using a pirated copy of audio software FruityLoops. [6] In high school, Walters took part in kapa haka and Samoan cultural groups. [7]

He first considered pursuing music while on an OE (working holiday) in London. [6] While there, Walters spent a week writing and recording a mixtape, which gained traction on SoundCloud. [8] On returning to New Zealand, he signed with Universal Music New Zealand in early 2019. [4]

Walters released his first singles, "Moving On" and "Together" in mid-2019, [2] and toured New Zealand as an opening act for Stan Walker. [9] In 2020, Walters was an opening act for New Zealand band Six60's performance at Western Springs Stadium, [7] and later that year released his debut album Escape. [10] A single from the album, "Not My Neighbour", was a hit in New Zealand, becoming one of the New Zealand top 50 singles of 2021. [11] [7] In 2021, the song was re-released as a single, in a remixed version featuring American singer Kiana Ledé. [12] Walters opened for Six60 a second time in 2021, to their Eden Park performance in front of a crowd of 50,000 people. [13]

In 2022, Walters released his second album White Flag Waves. [14]

Personal life

Walters' older brother is the frontman of New Zealand band Six60, Matiu Walters. [4]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
NZ
Artist
[15]
Escape11
White Flag Waves
  • Released: 18 March 2022 [17] [14]
  • Label: Universal, Ricochet Records
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
18

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
NZ
[18] 		NZ
Artist
[19]
"Moving On" [20] 2019— [upper-alpha 1] — [upper-alpha 2] Non-album singles
"Together" [2] — [upper-alpha 3] — [upper-alpha 4]
"Wishing Well" [25] —— [upper-alpha 5]
"Closely" [9] — [upper-alpha 6] — [upper-alpha 7]
"Escape" [4] 2020— [upper-alpha 8] — [upper-alpha 9] Escape
"Not My Neighbour" [5] [12]
(solo or featuring Kiana Ledé)		42
"Close My Eyes" [3] —— [upper-alpha 10]
"Vicious Love" [13] 2021— [upper-alpha 11] 18White Flag Waves
"Soul Food" [34] — [upper-alpha 12] — [upper-alpha 13]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Promotional singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
NZ
Hot
[37] 		NZ
Artist
Hot
[38]
"Heroine" [9] 2019——Non-album single
"Sinner"2020—14Escape
"Old with Me"—20
"Aroha Kaitangata" [1] 2021—19Non-album single
"Your Way"2022—13White Flag Waves
"Coast Girl"—14
"Circus"——
"Stay the Same"233
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Notes

  1. ↑ "Moving On" did not enter the New Zealand top 40 chart, but peaked at number 40 on the Hot 40 Singles Chart. [21]
  2. ↑ "Moving On" did not enter the New Zealand artists' top 20 chart, but peaked at number 4 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart. [22]
  3. ↑ "Together" did not enter the New Zealand top 40 chart, but peaked at number 39 on the Hot 40 Singles Chart. [23]
  4. ↑ "Together" did not enter the New Zealand artists' top 20 chart, but peaked at number 8 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart. [24]
  5. ↑ "Wishing Well" did not enter the New Zealand artists' top 20 chart, but peaked at number 11 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart. [26]
  6. ↑ "Closely" did not enter the New Zealand top 40 chart, but peaked at number 29 on the Hot 40 Singles Chart. [27]
  7. ↑ "Closely" did not enter the New Zealand artists' top 20 chart, but peaked at number 6 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart. [28]
  8. ↑ "Escape" did not enter the New Zealand top 40 chart, but peaked at number 40 on the Hot 40 Singles Chart. [29]
  9. ↑ "Escape" did not enter the New Zealand artists' top 20 chart, but peaked at number 4 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart. [30]
  10. ↑ "Close My Eyes" did not enter the New Zealand artists' top 20 chart, but peaked at number 12 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart. [32]
  11. ↑ "Vicious Love" did not enter the New Zealand top 40 chart, but peaked at number 5 on the Hot 40 Singles Chart. [33]
  12. ↑ "Soul Food" did not enter the New Zealand top 40 chart, but peaked at number 17 on the Hot 40 Singles Chart. [35]
  13. ↑ "Soul Food" did not enter the New Zealand artists' top 20 chart, but peaked at number 1 on the Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart. [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gorillaz discography</span>

The discography of British virtual band Gorillaz consists of eight studio albums, three compilation albums, 11 extended plays, one remix album, and 46 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demi Lovato discography</span>

American singer Demi Lovato has released eight studio albums, two video albums, two soundtrack albums, one remix album, five extended plays (EPs), 53 singles, and 13 promotional singles. According to Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Lovato has achieved 43.5 million certified units. As of August 2023, she has sold 9.7 million albums and 23.9 million song downloads and her songs have registered 7.7 billion on-demand streams in the United States. She has a total of 39 chart entries on the US Billboard Hot 100, including four top-ten songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drake discography</span>

The discography of Canadian rapper and singer Drake consists of seven studio albums, one collaborative album, three compilation albums, four extended plays, seven mixtapes, 141 singles, five promotional singles and 84 music videos. His music has been released on record labels Universal Motown Records and Republic Records, along with subsidiaries Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and OVO Sound. With 170 million records sold worldwide, he is among the best-selling music artists in history. Drake has achieved twelve number-one albums on the Billboard 200 and eleven number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Billboard hailed him as the "Artist of the 2010s Decade" and the 16th Greatest Artist of all time. RIAA ranks him as the best top-selling digital artist of all time with 188 million in the United States. He has the most number one singles on both the US Hot Rap Songs chart and the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Bieber discography</span>

The discography of Canadian singer Justin Bieber consists of six studio albums, three remix albums, three compilation albums, two extended plays, 76 singles, and 10 promotional singles. Bieber has attained eight number-one hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 and eight number-one albums on the US Billboard 200 charts. As of June 2019, Bieber has sold an estimated 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), he has sold 24 million albums and 120.5 million digital singles units as a lead artist, in the United States. Bieber was named the "Greatest Pop Star of 2016" by Billboard. He was also named the Billboard Year-End Top Male Artist for 2016 and placed number seven on the magazine's Decade-End Top Artists Chart for the 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Walker discography</span>

New Zealand-Australian singer Stan Walker has released seven studio albums, two compilation albums, two extended plays, forty-four singles—including six as a featured artist—and twenty-one music videos. In 2009, Walker won the seventh season of Australian Idol, and signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. Walker's debut studio album Introducing Stan Walker, which contained selected songs he performed on Australian Idol, was released on 11 December 2009. The album debuted at number three on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart, and number two on the New Zealand Albums Chart. It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, and triple platinum by the Recorded Music NZ. The album's lead single "Black Box" peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart, and number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart, eventually being certified double platinum in both countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Six60</span> New Zealand rock band

Six60 is a New Zealand pop rock band formed in Dunedin, Otago in 2008. The band consists of Matiu Walters, Ji Fraser, Chris Mac, Marlon Gerbes (synthesiser), Hoani Matenga and Eli Paewai (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Weeknd discography</span>

The discography of Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd consists of five studio albums, nine extended plays, three mixtapes, three compilation albums, one soundtrack album, one live album, 72 singles, and seven promotional singles. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Weeknd has accumulated 18.5 million certified album units and 113 million certified digital single units in the US, based on sales and on-demand streaming, as of July 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ariana Grande discography</span>

The discography of American singer, songwriter, and actress Ariana Grande consists of six studio albums, two compilation albums, one live album, two extended plays (EPs), fifty-four singles, and fifteen promotional singles. After signing with Republic Records, she released her debut single "Put Your Hearts Up" in December 2011. Throughout her career thus far, Grande has sold over 90 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she has sold over 100 million units, across albums, singles, and features, and 10 million albums and 73.5 million digital singles units as lead artist in the United States. In the U.S., Grande has moved 19.4 million album units, and garnered over 23.6 billion streams across lead artist credits, according to Luminate. Having amassed over 105 billion consumed streams thus far, Grande is the most streamed female artist ever. She is also the most streamed female artist on Spotify and Apple Music. She has amassed 73 chart entries on the Billboard Hot 100—the fourth most entries for a female artist—including seven number ones and 20 top-10 hits so far. Grande was named the sixth top female artist of the 2010s decade, and was ranked among Billboard's Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Artists, at number 78. Grande is also one of the most certified female artists in the UK, with nearly 25 million units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorde discography</span>

New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde has released three studio albums, four extended plays, 11 singles and nine music videos. At the age of 13, she was signed to Universal Music Group (UMG) and started to write music. In November 2012, when she was 16 years old, she self-released The Love Club EP via SoundCloud. It was released for sale by UMG in March 2013; a song from the EP, "Royals", topped numerous single charts internationally, including the US Billboard Hot 100. The track sold over 10 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all-time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Scott discography</span>

The discography of American rapper and singer Travis Scott consists of four studio albums, one compilation album, one collaborative album, two mixtapes, and 56 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marshmello discography</span>

The American music producer and DJ Marshmello has released four studio albums, two extended plays, forty-five singles, nine other charted songs, sixteen remixes, forty-three music videos and seven production-credited songs. Marshmello's debut studio album Joytime was released through his Joytime Collective record label on January 8, 2016. Despite failing to debut on the Billboard 200, the album peaked on three Billboard charts: Dance/Electronic Albums, Top Heatseekers and Independent Albums, at number five, fourteen and forty-one, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardi B discography</span>

American rapper Cardi B has released one studio album, three mixtapes, 38 singles, and 17 music videos. According to the RIAA, she has sold 100 million equivalent units in the United States across albums, singles, and mixtapes, making her the 6th best-selling female digital artist in the country. Her debut album Invasion of Privacy was the best selling female rap album of the 2010s according to The Recording Academy. It also became the most streamed female rap album on Spotify history. According to IFPI, "Girls Like You" was the 5th best-selling single of 2018 worldwide, selling 11.9 million units that year alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalid discography</span>

The discography of American singer-songwriter Khalid consists of two studio albums, one mixtape, one extended play, and 43 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juice Wrld discography</span>

American rapper and singer Juice Wrld released four studio albums, nine extended plays, two mixtapes, 35 singles, and one promotional single. Two of the albums were released posthumously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roddy Ricch discography</span>

The discography of Roddy Ricch, an American singer and rapper, consists of two studio albums, three mixtapes, and 46 singles. His debut studio album, Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial (2019), debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. The album includes the singles "Big Stepper", "Start wit Me", "Tip Toe", "The Box", and "High Fashion". "The Box" became Roddy Ricch's highest-charting song worldwide, spending eleven weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100; as well as topping the charts in Canada, New Zealand, Hungary, and peaking at number two in both the United Kingdom and Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benee</span> New Zealand singer

Stella Rose Bennett, better known as Benee and formerly Bene, is a New Zealand singer and songwriter from Auckland. In both 2019 and 2020, she consecutively won Single of the Year, Best Solo Artist and Best Pop Artist at the New Zealand Music Awards. Benee initially gained local prominence with her singles "Glitter" and "Soaked", before her 2019 single "Supalonely" saw international popularity following its success on the video-sharing platform TikTok and YouTube. Benee subsequently released her debut album, Hey U X, in November 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSI discography</span>

English rapper and YouTuber KSI has released two studio albums, one collaboration album, four extended plays (EPs), 21 singles, and 32 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doja Cat discography</span>

American rapper and singer Doja Cat has released four studio albums, one extended play (EP), 41 singles, 27 music videos, and nine promotional singles. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Doja Cat has sold 34 million certified albums and singles in the United States as a lead artist.

L.A.B. is a New Zealand reggae band formed in Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty in 2016. Its founding members are Brad Kora and Stuart Kora of the band Kora. They soon engaged Joel Shadbolt on lead vocals and guitar, Ara Adams-Tamatea, formerly of Katchafire, as bassist, and Miharo Gregory as keyboardist. The band mostly composes reggae music, with a mix of electronic, blues, rock and funk music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muroki</span> Musical artist

Muroki Mbote Wa Githinji, known mononymously as Muroki, is a Kenyan-New Zealand reggae musician. A member of the bands Cloak Bay and Masaya, Muroki debuted as a solo musician in 2019. In 2021, Muroki's song "Wavy" became a hit single in New Zealand.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Holland, Zoe (4 September 2021). "Waiata Anthems: Nikora Walters hopes to push traditional limits with his new track". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Introducing Niko Walters With His Debut Single 'Together'". New Zealand Music Commission . 14 June 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Niko Walters Releases Highly Anticipated Debut Album "Escape"". New Zealand Music Commission . 23 November 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Thorne, Richard (2020). "Niko Walters: Escape To The Neighbours". NZ Musician. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Niko Walters dishes up a little bit of funk with his single 'Not My Neighbour'". More FM . 12 November 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  6. 1 2 Sagar, Megan (2020). "Q&A With Niko Walters: New Single 'Not My Neighbour' And Some Exclusive Album News". UMusic. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 Tetlow, Max (8 December 2020). "For Niko Walters, the pressure doesn't change the passion". The Spinoff . Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  8. ↑ Tyson, Jessica (11 December 2020). "Rising artist releases new music based on overcoming mental health challenges". Te Ao Māori News. Māori Television . Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 "Niko Walters Releases New Singles 'Closely' and 'Heroine'". New Zealand Music Commission . 27 September 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  10. 1 2 McInnes, Laura (19 November 2020). "Niko Walters shares his debut album, Escape". Sniffers. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  11. ↑ "END OF YEAR CHARTS 2021". NZ Music Charts. RMNZ. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  12. 1 2 Thomson, Zangba (23 April 2021). "Niko Walters releases his "Not My Neighbour" remix single featuring Kiana Ledé". Bong Mines Entertainment. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Niko Walters - Vicious Love". Mai FM . 14 September 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  14. 1 2 Gillespie, Kim (1 April 2022). "10 Questions with singer Niko Walters". Rotorua Daily Post . The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  15. ↑ Peak positions for Niko Walters's albums on the NZ domestic top 20 chart:
  16. ↑ "Escape". iTunes . Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  17. ↑ "White Flag Waves". iTunes . Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  18. ↑ "Discography Niko Walters". Recorded Music NZ. Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  19. ↑ Peak positions for Niko Walters' singles on the NZ artist singles chart:
  20. ↑ "Niko Walters - Moving On". Mai FM . 4 July 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  21. ↑ "Hot 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  22. ↑ "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  23. ↑ "Hot 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  24. ↑ "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  25. ↑ "Wishing Well - Single". iTunes . Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  26. ↑ "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 22 July 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  27. ↑ "Hot 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  28. ↑ "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  29. ↑ "Hot 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  30. ↑ "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  31. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  32. ↑ "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  33. ↑ "Hot 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  34. ↑ Quincy (19 November 2021). "Niko Walters Brings Feel-Good Vibes To The Table In "Soul Food"". Ratings Game Music. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  35. ↑ "Hot 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  36. ↑ "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  37. ↑ "Hot 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  38. ↑ Peak positions for Niko Walters' songs on the NZ artist hot singles chart:
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.