Official music video for “It’s My Body,” a protest anthem centered on bodily autonomy and collective freedom. Filmed in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the video captures the urgency of the moment while positioning the song as both a personal statement and a public call to awareness. Created during a pivotal cultural moment, the video reflects the intersection of music, protest, and lived experience.

This dance interpretation was choreographed live in Los Angeles by K-pop choreographer Tinako and reflects how young dancers engaged with the song through movement and personal expression. The focus centers on themes of voice, choice, and self-worth in age-appropriate ways. This clip is shared privately for review purposes due to the age of participants and the sensitive nature of the subject matter.

Filmed live just days after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, this segment captures KNIKA performing “It’s My Body” during a protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court. What began as an impromptu street performance—alongside her songwriting partner and daughter—drew the attention of an Australian news crew, resulting in an on-camera performance broadcast internationally and documenting the song’s immediate presence within a global news cycle.

On January 22, 2023, Stories for Choice convened international storytellers for an evening of true storytelling centered on bodily autonomy. KNIKA appeared as a guest singer, performing an acoustic, storytelling-driven version of “It’s My Body.” The event was curated by Tony Award–winning playwright V and documented by Radio Kingston in partnership with The TMI Project.

This clip documents “It’s My Body” charting at #6 on Amazon Music and #28 on iTunes, placing the song alongside releases by artists such as Dolly Parton, Ed Sheeran, Pitbull and Chappell Roan, underscoring the project’s reach and resonance within a competitive global music landscape. The moment also reflects the song’s ability to break through commercially while carrying a clear social message.

YSN Radio is an online podcast focused on Hip Hop culture, Black issues, and current events. In this episode, KNIKA discusses her song “It’s My Body” and the role of music as a tool for social awareness and cultural dialogue.

Vibes in Mount Vernon, presented by Baltimore Center Stage, is a community-driven arts series celebrating Baltimore’s creative voices through live performance and immersive art. KNIKA performs her hit single “It’s My Body” during the inaugural installment of the series.

Lyric-based merchandise created in response to audience engagement with “It’s My Body,” reflecting how the song extended beyond the video into lived, wearable expression.

A personal introduction to my work as a multidimensional entertainer, setting the tone for the music, themes, and genre range that follow.

Respect Me is a declarative anthem honoring women’s labor, leadership, and resilience. The song calls for recognition of the many roles women hold—across professions, communities, and culture—asserting respect as both earned and deserved.

A live jazz performance showcasing vocal command, musical nuance, and improvisational range, performed with a New Orleans ensemble at the world-renowned Mahogany Hall in the New Orleans French Quarter. This clip highlights my grounding in vocal tradition and musicianship across genres. 

A visualizer for upcoming single, “Over,” a song about a woman who finally admits the truth to herself - finding the courage to say what she’s been holding back.

A full-length music video filmed in front of a public memorial mural in Baltimore and created in response to social events unfolding at the time, following the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. The video reflects KNIKA’s approach to making music in direct conversation with social events as they unfold, using performance and place to document movement, memory, and lived experience on the ground.

She Cried Out addresses the realities of human trafficking through music and visual storytelling. The AI-generated video pairs stark imagery and statistics with an emotional narrative, centering the voices and experiences of women, girls, and boys impacted by exploitation.

Don’t Need captures a moment of clarity and self-worth as a woman chooses to walk away from a relationship rooted in disregard. The song channels emotional release and resolve, blending rock energy with a message of agency and self-preservation.

A behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative songwriting process behind See Me In You, featuring a working session with my songwriting partner. The clip captures an in-progress conversation about message, intention, and emotional focus, reflecting my approach to songwriting as both craft and communication.

A live performance of See Me and You, a song centered on shared humanity and connection beyond labels. Performed with a band in an intimate setting, this clip emphasizes message-driven songwriting translated through live performance.

A narrated visual archive reflecting KNIKA’s long-term creative journey with The Upstarters, tracing years of live performances, shared growth, and the experiences that shaped the band over time.

This live performance captures KNIKA as the longtime frontwoman of The Upstarters, leading a high-energy set at Rams Head Live in Baltimore. The clip highlights her command of a large stage, dynamic audience engagement, and the collaborative power of a seasoned live band. Known for blending rock, ska, and indie energy with commanding vocals, this performance reflects KNIKA’s foundation as a live performer and her ability to move crowds in high-capacity venues.

A live performance excerpt from a recent show at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. This song closes the set and reflects the more aggressive, physical side of KNIKA’s rock expression onstage.

This clip captures a live soundcheck at the 9:30 Club, documenting my role as bandleader and musical director in a large-venue setting. While informal by nature, the moment highlights real-time communication, artistic decision-making, and collaborative command prior to performance. The camera’s movement reflects the kinetic energy of the room, offering an unfiltered look at how live shows are shaped before the audience enters.

An interview excerpt in which KNIKA speaks on writing from a female perspective, centering women’s lived experiences in her work, and the Upstarters’ approach to genre-fluid songwriting.

An acoustic performance excerpt from a series of online concerts presented during the COVID-19 pandemic, created to raise awareness around homelessness in Baltimore City. This performance was part of Journey Home, a city-supported initiative focused on housing insecurity, and reflects KNIKA’s ongoing integration of music, community engagement, and social storytelling.

A live performance excerpt featuring KNIKA on bass and vocals, offering another dimension of how she shows up inside the music.

This excerpt is from Songs in the Key of Revolution, my original one-woman show blends live music, storytelling, and social commentary.

The full performance explores how personal experience, shared stories, and present -day realities come together onstage—using voice, movement, and narrative as equal tools. This clip highlights a moment where song and story meet, reflecting my approach to performance as both artistic expression and conversation.

Audience members share reflections following KNIKA’s one-woman show, responding to the stories, themes, and presence of the performance in their own words.

A second excerpt from The Fabulous, The Forefathers, & The Forgotten, written and directed by 2024 recipient of the Excellence in Theatre Education Tony Award, CJAy Philip. Following an individual character introduction, this clip situates KNIKA within the ensemble, demonstrating her ability to move between solo presence and collaborative storytelling.

An excerpt from The Fabulous, The Forefathers, & The Forgotten, included to introduce KNIKA’s work as a theatrical performer through character-driven comedy. This clip establishes her presence within a musical theater production, highlighting transformation, timing, and storytelling as part of a multidimensional performance practice.

An excerpt from Rise and Shine, a contemporary written by CJ Philip, and is a musical blending choral gospel, spoken word, and movement. In this scene, KNIKA portrays a woman within a church setting, using song and monologue to explore themes of faith, resilience, and hope through character and narrative. The performance reflects another dimension of her theatrical work, integrating voice, story, and emotional presence within a staged ensemble production.

An introduction to The Talk Lounge, a talk show created and hosted by KNIKA, reflecting her work as a performer who builds platforms for conversation, music, and storytelling. The series highlights KNIKA’s role behind and in front of the camera, shaping space, tone, and dialogue through performance.

As an artist, my work extends beyond the stage and screen. In addition to my creative projects, I’m passionate about empowering other women in the music industry. I’ve written Industry Girls Don't Cry, a survival guide for women who are new to the music business. The guide offers lessons from my experiences, a list of do’s and don’ts, and activities designed to support each chapter. This is just one example of how I aim to use my voice to inspire and uplift others navigating the same path.