By Micah Organ, Contributor
[Photo courtesy of Nikki Jean/Rhymesayers Entertainment]
Singer-songwriter Nikki Jean released a short film titled Get Free on October 16, following her debut full-length album, Beautiful Prison, which was released in September on Rhymesayers Entertainment.
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Jean has said that the main purpose of both the album and the film is to uplift women and girls of color. She was inspired to create Get Free while directing the music video for “Driver,” one of the standout songs off of the Beautiful Prison album. The “Driver” video was shot at Howard University, Jean’s alma mater, and it was during this time that Jean found herself inspired by the tenacity and unity among the women around her. While the music video for “Driver” displays hints of these inspirations, Get Free was created to expand on these ideas with a long-form medium.
Several artists and entrepreneurs are featured in Get Free, including Goldie Patrick, Veronica Zacharias, Ama Law, Tashira Halyard, April Manuel, Ebony Westbrook, Onrae Watkins, Kacey Williams, Zewditu Jewel and Anika Hobbs. The short film initially premiered on September 13 as part of Ideagen’s Empowering Women and Girls Summit.
Jean is a Minnesota native who began her music career as the lead singer of Nouveau Riche in 2005. She is also known for her collaborations with rapper Lupe Fiasco and has been on tour with Mayer Hawthorne and Kanye West. Additionally, she has written songs with Bob Dylan, Burt Bacharach, Lamont Dozier and Carly Simon.
Watch Get Free below: