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Niia

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Niia

Niia Bertino is an American singer, pianist, songwriter, and composer.

Biography

Niia grew up in Needham, Massachusetts and attended Newton Country Day School.[1]

Niia was trained as a classical musician[2]. She began singing and performing music since the age of seven and was a member and featured soloist in Newton Country Day School's gospel choir, chorale and a cappella group.[1] She began playing and singing jazz at age thirteen.[2] She was a major lead in her high school musical theater productions as well as in a community theater.[1] She performed at many Jazz venues around Boston.[1] and attended summer jazz camps including Jamey Aebersold, Interplay, and Berklee College of Music.[2] She presently resides in New York City.

Musical career

Niia is an up and coming artist who is featured on Wyclef Jean's 2007 single, "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" featuring Lil' Wayne and Akon, which references the song "C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)" by the Wu-Tang Clan. The song has peaked at #12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, after 15 weeks on the chart.

Television and Film

  • Starred in the four-part MTV exclusive short-film Americlef[3]

Awards

In 2005 Niia was the national jazz voice winner in the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Arts Recognition and Talent Search.[2][1]

Discography

Year Title Featuring Artist Chart positions Album
U.S. Hot 100 U.S.
Pop 100
UK Singles Chart CAN Hot 100
2007 "Sweetest Girl" Wyclef Jean
Akon
Lil Wayne
12 11 66 34 Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant

Music videos

Year Album Title Director
2007 Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant "Sweetest Girl"
Wyclef Jean feat. Akon, Lil Wayne and Niia
Chris Robinson[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Donna Goodison (April 10, 2005). "Music, Niia Bertino confesses, is her whole life". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  2. ^ a b c d "2005 ARTS Winners - Massachusetts". National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  3. ^ MTV Online - Americlef Video
  4. ^ Wyclef Jean - "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" MTV.com. October 2, 2007.