Work samples

  • It's My Body

    “It’s My Body” is a bold, unapologetic anthem asserting bodily autonomy through a woman-centered lens. Written nearly a year before the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the song now reads as prophetic, capturing the urgency of a fight that refuses to be silenced. It declares a simple truth: women deserve agency over their own bodies, without government control. Beyond reproductive freedom, the song connects bodily autonomy to gun violence, poverty, climate justice, and voting rights—framing personal freedom as inseparable from collective well-being. The accompanying music video documents a live performance outside the U.S. Supreme Court days after Roe’s fall, performed with real protesters and KNIKA’s daughter. The song charted #6 on Amazon and #28 on iTunes, earning 100,000+ views and international media attention.

  • KNIKA — See Me in You (Music Video Excerpt)

    This is a short excerpt from the official music video for “See Me In You.”

    See Me In You is a song about connection—about seeing people for who they are, not where they come from or how they look. In a world that often focuses on differences, the song asks a simple question: what would change if we truly saw one another?

    The video shows faces shifting from one person to another, reminding us that beneath our differences, we are more alike than we think.

  • Yesterday

    “Yesterday” is a deeply personal and uplifting anthem about release, resilience, and choosing forward motion. Co-written by KNIKA and her husband, the song was born during a difficult season in which KNIKA was grappling with questions of self-worth, identity, and belief in her own future. Originally written as a form of encouragement between partners, “Yesterday” has since evolved into a message of hope for anyone standing at the edge of change.

  • KNIKA — One-Woman Show Excerpt | Songs in the Key of Revolution (Live at Baltimore Center Stage)

    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.

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About KNIKA

Baltimore City  

Hi, my name is KNIKA.

I’m a singer-songwriter, performer, producer, and artivist, and for more than 30 years I’ve been building a career at the intersection of music, performance, and social impact.

I didn’t come into this work chasing trends. I came into it learning how to hold a room, lead a band, and move an audience—first as the longtime front woman of a rock/ska band, and later as a solo artist creating music with a message you can dance to. Those years taught me… more

View KNIKA's Resume
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It's My Body: From Song to Movement

“It’s My Body” is a bold, unapologetic music project centered on bodily autonomy and women’s self-determination. Written nearly a year before the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the song has since become a prescient and urgent reflection of the cultural and political moment, asserting a simple truth: the right to make decisions about one’s own body should not be subject to government control.

The project extends beyond reproductive justice to explore how bodily autonomy intersects with broader societal issues, including gun violence, voter suppression, poverty, and climate justice. By connecting these struggles, the work positions personal freedom as inseparable from collective well-being, inviting listeners to consider how laws are often used to regulate bodies rather than protect lives.

The accompanying music video documents a live performance filmed outside the U.S. Supreme Court just days after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, with KNIKA performing directly to a crowd of real protesters alongside her daughter. The moment drew international attention, leading to an on-camera performance for an Australian news outlet and expanding the project’s reach beyond U.S. borders.

Since its release, “It’s My Body” charted at #6 on Amazon Music and #28 on iTunes, underscoring the resonance of its message with a global audience. More than a protest song, the project functions as a living body of work—moving between performance, public space, media, and community engagement—using music as a catalyst for dialogue, reflection, and meaningful social change.

  • It's My Body Official Music Video

    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.

  • It’s My Body Dance for Choice

    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.

  • Interview Australia News 10

    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.

  • TMI Project Stories For Choice: KNIKA

    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.

  • It's My Body on the Charts

    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 Podcast: KNIKA Interview

    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.

  • “It’s My Body” — KNIKA Live at Baltimore Center Stage | Vibes in Mt. Vernon

    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.

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    • KNIKA: The Music

    Moving across pop, rock, jazz, and socially driven songwriting without losing a singular voice, this project offers a curated overview of my work as a recording and performing artist—highlighting range, consistency, and artistic evolution across songs, stages, and formats.

    • KNIKA- Allow me to reintroduce myself

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

    • Respect Me - Music Video/Performance

      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.

      Available for Purchase
    • Jazz Performance - Live in New Orleans

      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. 

    • KNIKA — Over (Visualizer)

      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.

      Available for Purchase
    • KNIKA — Music Video (Public Art Performance)

      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 - Music Video (Human Trafficking)

      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.

      Available for Purchase
    • Don't Need -- Lyric Video (Rock)

      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.

    • BTS: Songwriting conversation around “See Me In You”

      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.

    • See Me In You - Live Performance

      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.

      Available for Purchase
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    • KNIKA & The Upstarters

    KNIKA & The Upstarters is a live performance–driven project that reflects over thirteen years of sustained collaboration, growth, and creative leadership within a genre space where women — particularly women of color — are rarely centered. Rooted in ska, pop, and rock traditions, the project documents KNIKA’s ongoing work as a frontwoman, songwriter, and bandleader performing in rooms that often do not look like her, and in scenes historically dominated by men.

    More than a collection of performances, this project captures a long-term artistic practice shaped through touring, rehearsal, and real-time audience exchange. The work highlights genre-jumping as a creative language, blending high-energy live shows with stripped-down moments, process footage, and archival material that trace how the band has evolved together over time — from early stages to larger venues.

    Through this body of work, KNIKA & The Upstarters demonstrates mastery of live performance alongside a distinct artistic perspective: one that challenges expectations around who leads bands, who occupies space onstage, and how women’s voices move through traditionally male-dominated genres. The project reflects not only how the band performs, but why its continued presence matters.

    • KNIKA & The Upstarters — Live at Rams Head Live (Baltimore)

      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.

    • KNIKA & The Upstarters — Live at 9:30 Club (Excerpt)

      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.

    • Behind the Scenes: Soundcheck at 9:30 Club

      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.

    • KNIKA — On Songwriting, Genre, and Women’s Stories (Excerpt)

      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.

    • KNIKA & The Upstarters — Acoustic Performance for Journey Home

      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.

    • KNIKA - Bass & Vocals

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

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