Nikki Leonti-Edgar (born August 20, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter. Prior to her work in

urban Urban means "related to a city". In that sense, the term may refer to: * Urban area, geographical area distinct from rural areas * Urban culture, the culture of towns and cities Urban may also refer to: General * Urban (name), a list of people ...

, R&B, and electronic dance music, Leonti recorded

contemporary Christian music Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and s ...

albums. She lent her vocals to over 100 songs during 4 seasons of the musical comedy-drama television series ''

Glee Glee means delight, a form of happiness. Glee may also refer to: * Glee (music), a type of English choral music * ''Glee'' (TV series), an American musical comedy-drama TV series, and related media created by Ryan Murphy * ''Glee'' (Bran Van 30 ...

''.

Early life

Nicole Marie Leonti was born on August 20, 1981 in Corona, California. Her father Greg Leonti was a pastor at the Calvary Southern Baptist church. She began singing at age five, as a church soloist in the Nondenominational Christianity church in Corona. At 13, she made her first recording on a small local label.

Career

In 1998, Leonti recorded her debut full-length album, ''Shelter Me'', which reached No. 179 on the Billboard 200, and No. 7 on the Contemporary Christian chart. Her second album, ''Nikki Leonti'' was released in 2001. Both were produced by brothers Dino and John Elefante, and issued on the independent Christian label, Pamplin. Shortly after her 18th birthday, Leonti got pregnant out of wedlock and was shunned by the CCM community with many Christian music stations pulling off broadcasting of her records. She retired from the

Christian music industry The Christian music industry is one aspect of the broader music industry, with a focus on Christian music and subgenres such as gospel music, southern gospel, contemporary Christian music, contemporary worship music, and even traditional church mus ...

not long after. In 2006, Leonti was hired as a backup singer for

Carrie Underwood Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983) is an American singer. She rose to prominence after winning the fourth season of ''American Idol'' in 2005. Her single "Inside Your Heaven" made her the only country artist to debut atop the ''Bill ...

, performing on tour and on various television shows. After three years with Carrie Underwood, Leonti began working with Rich Velonskis, forming the R&B group, Nikki & Rich, retro

neo-soul Neo soul (sometimes called progressive soul) is a genre of popular music. As a term, it was coined by music industry entrepreneur Kedar Massenburg during the late 1990s to market and describe a style of music that emerged from soul and contem ...

duo. Velonskis, also known as Rich Skillz, producer of various artists, including

Ludacris Christopher Brian Bridges (born September 11, 1977), known professionally as Ludacris (, homophonous with 'ludicrous' in American English), is an American rapper, actor, record producer and record executive. Born in Champaign, Illinois, Ludac ...

Lil' Kim Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974), Those giving 1974 include: * * * * * better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and reality television personality. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, she lived much of he ...

, and

Robin Thicke Robin Alan Thicke (born March 10, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his 2013 hit single " Blurred Lines", which is one of the best-selling singles of all time. At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, h ...

. Nikki & Rich released their debut album, entitled ''Greatest Hits'', on September 27, 2011, issued on the

Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operates through Warner Records, one of its flagship labels. Artists currently signed to Reprise Records include Enya, Michael ...

/Born Rich label. The duo has performed live on ''

Ellen Ellen is a female given name, a diminutive of Elizabeth, Eleanor, Elena and Helen. Ellen was the 609th most popular name in the U.S. and the 17th in Sweden in 2004. People named Ellen include: * Ellen Adarna (born 1988), Filipino actress * Elle ...

'' and ''

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that first aired from May 25, 1992, to May 29, 2009. It resumed production on March 1, 2010 and ended on February 6, 2014. The fourth incarnation of the ...

''. Together, they were named as one of the ''

New York Post The ''New York Post'' (''NY Post'') is a conservative daily tabloid newspaper published in New York City. The ''Post'' also operates NYPost.com, the celebrity gossip site PageSix.com, and the entertainment site Decider.com. It was established ...

s "10 New Artists to Watch in 2010" and "10 Artists to Know in 2011". Nikki & Rich confirmed their split in January 2015. Nikki lent her vocals to over 100 songs during 4 seasons of the Fox hit show, ''

''. She has written songs for artists, including

, Jessie J, Candice Glover,

Rebecca Ferguson Rebecca Louisa Ferguson Sundström (born 19 October 1983) is a Swedish actress. She began her acting career with the Swedish soap opera ''Nya tider'' (1999–2000) and went on to star in the slasher film ''Drowning Ghost'' (2004). She came to in ...

and

Ivy Quainoo Ivy Quainoo (born 25 August 1992) is a German singer. In February 2012, she won the first series of '' The Voice of Germany''. In December 2017, it was announced that she would be one of six competing entrants in Unser Lied für Lissabon, the ...

. In early 2015, Nikki announced that she had founded a band called Edgar with her husband Ryan Edgar, whom she married in November 2014. On June 7, 2016, she appeared alongside her husband and daughter Jaslyn as a trio on '' America's Got Talent'', auditioning on episode 2 of season 11. They performed "

I'll Stand by You "I'll Stand by You" is a song recorded by English-American rock band the Pretenders from their sixth studio album, '' Last of the Independents'' (1994). The song was written by Chrissie Hynde and the songwriting team of Tom Kelly and Billy ...

" by

The Pretenders Pretenders are an English–American rock band formed in March 1978. The original band consisted of founder and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Pete Fa ...

. The group progressed through the preliminary rounds and took one of 36 live performance show spots. In 2018, she performed alongside

Crystal Lewis Crystal Lynn Lewis (born September 11, 1969) is an American contemporary Christian and jazz singer, songwriter and actress. Lewis has been nominated for several Grammy Awards, and has won multiple GMA Dove Awards. Additionally, she has released ...

Stacie Orrico Stacie Joy Orrico (born March 3, 1986) is an American singer, songwriter and occasional actress. After signing to ForeFront Records, Orrico recorded her first album, '' Genuine'' (2000), which sold 13,000 units in its first week of release. Af ...

and

Rachael Lampa Rachael Maureen Lampa (born January 8, 1985) is an American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and record producer. At age 15, she rose to fame and critical acclaim in 2000 with the release of her debut album, '' Live for You''. Early ...

for a special event called REUNITE CCM.

Personal life

Leonti was married in 1999 to Ryan Gingerich, lead guitarist of the Christian band, Scarecrow & Tinmen. They divorced in 2002, having become the parents of one daughter, Jaslyn (b. 2000). They later discovered the marriage was never legally documented. In 2004, she married Aaron Dame and gave birth to their son, Jordan (b. 2004). She married singer-songwriter Ryan Edgar on November 6, 2014. Ryan Edgar and Leonti have a daughter, Frankie (b. 2015).

Discography

;Solo *1996: ''Reach the World'' (Two Records) *1998: ''Shelter Me'' (Pamplin) *2000: ''Postcard From Mixaco: A Dance Re-MIX Fiesta'' (Pamplin) *2001: ''Nikki Leonti'' (Pamplin) *2017: ''Heartache Easy'' (FamJam) *2019: ''Joybird'' (Position Music) ; Nikki & Rich *2011: ''Greatest Hits...'' (Born Rich Inc) ; Adeline River *2021: ''Adeline River...'' (Position Music)

Appearances on other recordings

*2000: '' Apocalypse III: Tribulation'' Soundtrack, vocals on "Everlasting Place" *2002: ''Left Behind 2: Urban Hip-Hop''; "Everytime" *2004: ''Rachael Lampa''

(background vocals) *2005: ''Awaken''

Natalie Grant Natalie Diane Grant (born December 21, 1971) is an American singer and songwriter of contemporary Christian music. She received the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year four consecutive years (2006, 2007, 2008 an ...

(background vocals) *2006: ''Time Again:

Amy Grant Amy Lee Grant (born November 25, 1960) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. She began in contemporary Christian music (CCM) before crossing over to pop music in the 1980s and 1990s. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christia ...

Live All Access'' (background vocals) *2008: ''Get on Board''

Eric Bibb Eric Charles Bibb (born August 16, 1951) is a Grammy-nominated American-born blues singer and songwriter. Biography Bibb's father, Leon, was a musical theatre singer, who made a name for himself as part of the 1960s New York folk scene; his ...

(background vocals, handclapping) *2009: '' Sex Therapy: The Session''

; co-writer on "Make you love me" *2010: '' Killers'' Soundtrack (writer: "Cat and Mouse") *2012:

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Vocals *2012: ''

Cee Lo's Magic Moment ''Cee Lo's Magic Moment'' is the first Christmas studio album and overall fourth studio album released by American recording artist Cee Lo Green on October 29, 2012 in the United Kingdom. It was released to the US on October 30 by Elektra Records ...

'', vocals on "All you need is Love" *2012:

Girl vs. Monster ''Girl vs. Monster'' is a 2012 American fantasy teen comedy Disney Channel Original Movie that premiered on October 12, 2012. The film stars Olivia Holt as Skylar, a teenage girl who discovers on the eve of Halloween that she is a fifth-generation ...

Writer: "Nothing's gonna stop me now" *2013:

Tyler, the Creator Tyler Gregory Okonma (born March 6, 1991), known professionally as Tyler, the Creator, is an American rapper and record producer. He is one of the founding members of the music collective Odd Future. Okonma self-released his debut mixtape ' ...

Vocalist and Vocal Arranger "Camp Fire" *2013: ''Glee'', season 4; vocals *2013:

Teen Beach Movie ''Teen Beach Movie'' is a Disney Channel Original Movie that premiered on July 19, 2013, on Disney Channel, starring Ross Lynch and Maia Mitchell. Directed by Jeffrey Hornaday, ''Teen Beach Movie'' was filmed in Puerto Rico. It was the only Disney ...

Writer: "Crusin' for a bruisin" & "Coolest cats in town" *2013:

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background vocals *2014: ''

The Little Rascals Save the Day ''The Little Rascals Save the Day'' (titled ''The Little Rascals 2: Rascals' Beginning'' in development) is a 2014 American direct-to-video comedy film released by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Succeeding the 1994 film, it is the second ...

'' (video), vocals on "My Friend", "Time For Run" *2014:

Writer: Burial *2014:

Glee (season 5) The fifth season of the Fox musical comedy-drama television series '' Glee'' was commissioned on April 19, 2013, along with a sixth season. It premiered on September 26, 2013, as part of the 2013 fall season. After a winter break, it returned on ...

Vocals *2014: Candice Glover Music Speaks Writer: "Same kinda man" *2015: Teen Beach 2 Writer: "That's how we do" *2015: Mac Miller Vocalist and Vocal Arranger "100 Grankids" & "Perfect Circle/Godspeed" *2015: Light On (song) Writer as performed by

*2015: Rod Stewart (album) Background vocals *2015:

Josh Groban Joshua Winslow Groban (born February 27, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. His first four solo albums have been certified multi-platinum, and he was charted in 2007 as the number-one best selling artist in the United States, wi ...

Vocals: "Never walk alone" *2015: We Love Disney (2015 album) Backing vocalist for

Ariana Grande Ariana Grande-Butera ( ; born June 26, 1993) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her four-octave vocal range has received critical acclaim, and her personal life has been the subject of widespread media attention. She has received ...

*2015: Liv and Maddie: Music from the TV Series writer: "what a girl is" *2016: ''The Passion'' Live Soundtrack; vocals on eight tracks *2016: Ice Age: Collision Course Writer: "My Superstar" performed by Jessie J (listed as Nicole Leonti and written with

Alexander Geringas Alex Geringas (born March 2, 1971) is an American composer and songwriter based in Los Angeles, United States. Awards * 1998 Echo Award – Best Newcomer – Die 3. Generation * 2003 Echo Award – Best Video – No Angels "Something about ...

) *2016:

Kirk Franklin Kirk Dewayne Franklin (born January 26, 1970) is an American songwriter, choir director, gospel singer, and rapper. He is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel ensembles such as The Family, God's Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC) ...

Pharrell Williams Backing Vocals; "123 Victory" *2016: Hidden Figures (soundtrack) "I see a victory" backing vocals (listed as Nicole Leonti) *2017: Dirty Dancing (2017 film) Contributing vocalist *2017: Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Contributing vocalist *2017: Nut Job 2 Songwriter: "Everybody Get Nuts" *2017:

Descendants 2 ''Descendants 2'' is an American musical fantasy television film. It premiered as a Disney Channel Original Movie on July 21, 2017, and was simulcast on Disney-owned networks ABC, Disney XD, Freeform, Lifetime, and Lifetime Movies. It is th ...

Songwriter: "You and Me" *2018: Zombies (2018 film) Songwriter: "Fired up" *2018: Jessie J "This Christmas" Album: Backing Vocalist *2018:

Tori Kelly Victoria Loren Kelly (born December 14, 1992) is an American singer-songwriter, and voice actress. She first gained recognition after posting videos on YouTube as a teenager, and made it through to Hollywood week on the ninth season of ''Americ ...

"Never Alone" Album: Backing Vocalist *2018: The Grinch (movie) Vocalist and Arranger for

& Danny Elfman Collaboration: "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch" *2018: Mac Miller Vocalist and Vocal arranger for : "Buttons" *2019:

Perfect Harmony (TV series) ''Perfect Harmony'' is an American musical comedy television series created by Lesley Wake Webster that aired on NBC from September 26, 2019 to January 23, 2020. The series stars Bradley Whitford as Dr. Arthur Cochran who is a music director at ...

Contributing Vocalist *2019:

A Pentatonix Christmas ''A Pentatonix Christmas'' is the fifth studio album by American a cappella group Pentatonix. It is also their second full-length holiday album since ''That's Christmas to Me'' in 2014. Featuring two new original songs, "Good to Be Bad" and "Th ...

Contributing Vocalist *2019:

Roddy Ricch Rodrick Wayne Moore Jr. (born October 22, 1998), known professionally as Roddy Ricch, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He rose to fame in 2018 with his single, " Die Young", which peaked at number 98 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. ...

Arrangements/Vocals "War Baby *2020: Kelly Clarkson Show Appeared as backing vocalist on several episodes *2020:

Eurovision Song Contest The Eurovision Song Contest (), sometimes abbreviated to ESC and often known simply as Eurovision, is an international songwriting competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), featuring participants representing pr ...

Contributing Vocalist *2021: The Prom (movie) Contributing Vocalist *2021:

Arlo the Alligator Boy ''Arlo the Alligator Boy'' is a 2021 American 2D animated adventure musical film directed by Ryan Crego in his directorial debut. The film is led by Michael J. Woodard and Mary Lambert in their debut acting roles as Arlo and Bertie respectivel ...

Choir Arranger and contributing Vocalist *2022:

Monarch (American TV series) ''Monarch'' is an American musical drama television series about a country music family. Created by Melissa London Hilfers, the series is the first production of Fox Entertainment Studios. Susan Sarandon stars as Dottie Cantrell, with Trace ...

Contributing Vocalist

Filmography

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Leonti, Nikki American contemporary R&B singers Living people 1981 births 21st-century American singers