Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikia Giddings.
Hi Nikia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well, I used to be solely an R&B singer. Around Houston, people called me “Nikiajnae.” My first and middle name but at the time it was attached to the soulful, sultry singer. Truth be told, life looked good. I wasn’t out here struggling — I was actually thriving. I was on my way to making an album, opening up for well-known R&B artists, performing national anthems, booking shows, and gaining real momentum. Had a whole team — makeup artist, photographer, videographer, DJ — the support, the audience, the connections… all of it. By every outside measure, things were working.
However, even in the middle of all that success, something started shifting. And I want to be clear: I didn’t hit rock bottom — that’s important for me to say. It wasn’t a fall or a failure; it was conviction. The environments and lifestyle that once felt normal — weed, alcohol, toxic relationships, started to feel heavy. Rooms were full, but internally things felt empty. And even though I had a plan for my career, it became clear that it didn’t match God’s plan. It was an encounter, not rock bottom, that began the pivot.
Then came 2020. The world shut down, and for the first time, everything got quiet. No shows. No studio sessions. No running. Just stillness. And in that quiet, I had my first real intimate encounter with God — not in a church service, but on the floor of my room. Quarantine forced me to sit with myself, and in that space, the conversations with God became honest and raw. “This ain’t it,” became my truth. “Clearly You don’t want me doing what I’m doing.”
As those conversations deepened, He started revealing that even in the darkest parts of my childhood, He had been there all along, present, near, never abandoning me.
After a season of refining and purifying, He began showing me how my gifts were never meant to be used the way I planned. They were meant to be used for His glory. That revelation shifted everything.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? Not at all. Obedience has always carried a bit of grief. I call it a “daily die”—consistently laying myself down and choosing to live surrendered. Each time I do, God shows up in a big way, and I’m reminded it’s never just about me—it’s about others experiencing the grandeur of His love, just as I have.
In my past R&B career, everything was about performance—my sound, my image, my spotlight. That lifestyle came with pressures and distractions that left me exhausted and misaligned. Worship, on the other hand, is completely different. It comes from a surrendered heart, fully submitted to God. That takes trust.
Might I add, I’ve also had to navigate questions about how I’m “supposed” to sound now that I sing for God. People may have expectations, or I might catch myself comparing, but I’ve learned to lean fully into His guidance. Whether it comes out as soft, declarative, soulful, or somewhere in between, I let God direct the sound and style—because ultimately, it’s about obedience, not performance.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In the daytime, I’m a High School Theatre Arts Director. I could easily produce plays like The Wizard of Oz or Annie—and I started out doing that myself, but my assignment is clearly bigger than just the job description. I focus on producing original/student-written plays that give them a voice, minister to the audience, and help them grow into the people God has called them to be. Being the only director at my school gives me the unique privilege of raising up leaders among my students. They’re truly one of my GREATEST treasures.
Outside of school, I’ve had the honor of leading worship at Refresh City Church and directing my own projects, like May He Set the Captives Free. That project is especially close to my heart because I’ve known bondage all too well—lived and breathed it. I know the desperation to get out, the not knowing the way, until God showed me. Even now, freedom is a daily choice. It’s transformed how I see life and ministry. Those experiences have shown me I’m not just a singer— I’ve stepped into being the director, an advocate, psalmist, and more. At the end of the day, regardless of title or role, I’m grateful to know myself as His daughter and THAT shapes everything I do.
Overall, I’m proud of myself. To be obedient to God even when it wasn’t the easy path, but the best path. With him, all things are better!
In every opportunity given, I enjoy helping others find their voice and freedom along the way.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Yes, I’m extremely grateful for my parents, who have always wanted the very best for me. Their love, guidance, and belief in me have shaped who I am and supported me through every step of my journey. They’ve celebrated my wins, encouraged me in moments of doubt, and helped instill the faith and values that guide everything I do. And at the center of it all, God’s love has been the true foundation of all my success.
I’m also blessed with a God-given community—my inner circle of Kingdom friends who hold me accountable. You need them! No yes-men. I’m especially grateful for Refresh City Church and the leadership of Prophet Shamal and Ayesha Peets. They haven’t allowed me to be complacent; they’ve challenged me, helped me step into my purpose, and shown me potential in myself that I didn’t even know was there. They’ve reminded me of my identity as God’s daughter, beyond how the world sees me, and given me the courage to be bold in everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikiajnae/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nikiajnae
Image Credits
trevoykellyco jlovisuals beastmodephotography5
