Biography

Going by Niyoki professionally, Niyoki Chapman, born Kedrah Niyoki White, is a contemporary gospel and R&B singer and songwriter from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She got an early start as a career musician, performing with her parents and siblings from the age of five as part of the gospel group the White Family. After high school, Niyoki left the group to study chemical engineering at the University of Tennessee, and formed the R&B group Milenia with her sisters. That project led to opportunities to open for and sing backing vocals for none other than Prince on his 2000-2001 Hit N Run Tour. They also performed on his album The Rainbow Children before releasing their only LP, Our Story, in 2005. It included the song "Promise," which Prince produced. After temporarily relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, Niyoki's solo debut, My Everything, was released in 2005 by D2G Records in partnership with Executive Music Group. Reaching number 32 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart, it featured the single "He's Here," which became a Top Ten gospel hit. The same labels released her follow-up, 2008's Rest, which peaked at number 50 and included the Top 15 gospel song "Joy." Niyoki then returned to Fort Wayne and joined the Uncle G Records roster before setting to work on her third studio album. She emerged with the single "Praise Him in My Pain" in 2015. ~ Marcy Donelson, Rovi