Rehearsing national anthem for @ThinkCure weekend kickoff at @Dodgers stadium at The Hotel

Nakia covers Jon Dee Graham's "Unafraid" for the Frog Music Licensing project, Parallels - Volume One featuring Frog Music Licensing artists, Jon Dee Graham, The Octopus Project, Quiet Company, Invincible Czars, Graham Wilkinson, Tee Double, and more.

"Jon Dee's original song is so raw and real and full of heart. It's a very inspiring song to me personally. I wanted to take the emotions of the story and transport them to a place where we could hear how bands like Erasure, When In Rome, or the Human League would have taken this beautiful melody and record an anthem of confidence and strength. The track really got its wings from Michael Ramos, who was actually in a "New Romantic" band with Jon Dee in the 80s, called The Lift, so he knew the language I was speaking." - Nakia

Credits:
Song Title: Unafraid
Artist: Nakia
Written by Jon Dee Graham
Produced by Nakia and Michael Ramos
Recorded and Engineered by Michael Ramos at Brown Recluse Studio

Unafraid - Jon Dee Graham cover by Nakia

Nakia and the Blues Grifters
Blue Monday - Live at Antone's
Recorded August 15, 2016 by Myles Crosby

Blue Monday - Live at Antone's

Look Over Yonder Wall

Somebody Loan Me A Dime

Little Red Rooster

You Don't Miss Your Water

Whipping Post

Rich Woman

Drivin' Wheel

Hold It

Gimme Back My Wig

300 Pounds Of Joy

Walking The Dog

Ain't That Lovin' You Baby?

Double Trouble

High Heeled Sneakers

Crosscut Saw

Chocolate Drop

Somebody's Sleeping In My Bed

I'm Ready

• Nakia is managed by Ron Stone and Peter Wark for <a href="http://gmemusic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gold Mountain Entertainment</a>.
• For interview or music streaming requests, please contact Cary Baker or Brian O'Neal at <a href="http://conqueroo.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Conqueroo Publicity</a>.

Tight - Written by Nakia and Chris Seefried
KiaChia Songs (BMI), Denim Blue Notes (BMI)/ BKE Music (BMI)/ Razor and Tie Music Publishing (BMI) administered by Razor & Tie Music Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Used by permission
Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by Chris Seefried at Gnome Gardens Studios, Hollywood, CA
Lead Vocals - Nakia
Guitars, Bass, Keys, Backing Vocals, Sounds, Gnomes - Chris Seefried
Drums - Don Heffington recorded by Chris Steffen at Band House Studios, Burbank, CA
Horns - Texacali Horns recorded at Sweetywest Studios, Hollywood, CA

V1
I was an outsider kid
Picked on in school for the things that I did
Momma she was crazy, Daddy was gone
Same ol' story, same ol' song

My whole life's been a shame
It's been tough, being this way
Can't make others happy and keep yourself sad
That ain't what to do, that ain't where it's at

C1
Oh, I, I've been searching and I can't get it right
Tell me what I've gotta pay to get into this fight
Oh, I, I've been lonely and my mind's not exactly right
I just need somebody to make me believe, I keep it so tight

V2
Dropped outta school, I was high
Landed in Georgia, I tell ya why
Met a girl in Moscow, God she was fine
She loved me right, she worked as a mime

But then this guy came through my door
Crumbled my walls and I fell to floor
Sent me back to Alabama, home in a shack
But I got up and now I'm back

C2
Oh, I, I've been searching and I can't get it right
Tell me what I've gotta pay to get into this fight
Oh, I, I've been lonely and my mind's not exactly right
I just need somebody to make me believe, I keep it so tight

Oh, I, I've been lonely and my mind's not exactly right
I just need somebody to make me believe, I keep it so tight
I keep it tight

Tight (Nakia/Chris Seefried)

Dream Big by Nakia - Recorded Live in Austin
Written by Nakia and Bleu McAuley 

Visit http://nakia.net/ and http://facebook.com/nakia

Management: Gold Mountain Entertainment

Dream Big (Live)

• Nakia is managed by Ron Stone and Peter Wark for <a href="http://gmemusic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gold Mountain Entertainment</a>.
• For interview or music streaming requests, please contact Cary Baker or Brian O'Neal at <a href="http://conqueroo.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Conqueroo Publicity</a>.

Pieces And Castles - Written by Nakia and Barry Goldberg
KiaChia Songs (BMI), Barry Goldberg Music (BMI)
Produced by Barry Goldberg and Johnny Lee Schell 
Recorded and Mixed by Johnny Lee Schell at Ultratone Studio, Studio City, CA
Guitars, Bass, Backing Vocals - Johnny Lee Schell
Piano and Hammond Organ - Barry Goldberg
Drums - Don Heffington
Backing Vocals - Melanie Taylor
Security - Rooster the Dog


V1
Lonely and empty, scarred and scared
Standing in a river of tears
You got tired of waiting for me to treat you fair
Left me after all of these years

And we had all the pieces and we built all the castles and we watched them all fall apart
And I just can’t help thinking that I’m worthless without you and I’ll die of broken heart

PC1
I just can’t deny that I was blinded by your charms
But I’d bleed myself dry to get you back in my arms

C1
I just can’t get along without you
I just can’t can’t make it on my own
I just can’t get along with you, no no

V2
Shattered and damaged, down to the bone
I ain’t got nothing to share
I see you smiling and laughing, my heart sinks like a stone
I just can’t see myself there

And we had all the pieces and we built all the castles and we watched them all fall apart
And I just can’t help thinking that I’m worthless without you and I’ll die of broken heart

PC2
I just can’t deny that I was blinded by your charms
But I’d bleed myself dry to get you back in my arms

C2
I just can’t get along without you
I just can’t can’t make it on my own
I just can’t get along with you
I just can’t make it on my own

Vocal Breakdown
Oh oh, oh oh x4

Outro
I just can’t get along without you
I just can’t make it on my own x 4

Pieces And Castles (Nakia/Barry Goldberg)

• Nakia is managed by Ron Stone and Peter Wark for <a href="http://gmemusic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gold Mountain Entertainment</a>.
• For interview or music streaming requests, please contact Cary Baker or Brian O'Neal at <a href="http://conqueroo.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Conqueroo Publicity</a>.

When I Found You - Written by Nakia and Barry Goldberg
KiaChia Songs (BMI), Barry Goldberg Music (BMI)
Produced by Barry Goldberg and Johnny Lee Schell 
Recorded and Mixed by Johnny Lee Schell at Ultratone Studio, Studio City, CA
Guitars, Bass, Backing Vocals - Johnny Lee Schell
Piano and Hammond Organ - Barry Goldberg
Horns - Texacali Horns: Darrell Leonard and Joe Sublett
Drums - Don Heffington
Backing Vocals - Melanie Taylor
Security - Rooster the Dog


V1
I've been to the bottom
I've climbed to top
With nobody watching, all alone but I never stopped
My heart took a beating, so black and blue
I needed somebody when I found you

It ain't ever easy
Living this way
Out every night all the time, so far away
Searching for a harbor, a rock so true
I needed somebody when I found you

B1
All of the wreckage
Was cleared from my mind
When I kissed your face and you kissed mine
You gave me shelter, from solitude
I needed somebody when I found you
I needed somebody when I found

Outro/Vamp
You! You believed in me, you believed in my song
All along, when no one would listen to me
You were there, with a smile and a shoulder so strong
When I was down, You gave me everything
(Continue with lyrical ad-libs)

When I Found You (Nakia/Barry Goldberg)

Private Playlist. DO NOT SHARE OR POST! Music from the upcoming album, "Blues Grifter" by Nakia

Produced by Mac McNabb
Mastered by Dave McNair
All Rights Reserved KiaChia Productions.

NakiaBlues GriftersBluesAustinTexasBlues Guitar

Blues Grifter

300 Pounds Of Joy *CD & Digital Bonus Track

Real. Live. Blues.

Hoodoo Party

Driving Wheel

Many moons ago, I met Miles Zuniga at the Apple Store where I was helping him get his Powerbook replaced. When I asked him about Fastball, he scoffed and told me to come down to a dark little dive bar called Ego's Lounge to see a band he was working on called The Small Stars. I did and it was there that I was introduced to his alter-ego, Guy Fantasy and the rest of the Stars. Guy invited me up to sing a song and I chose "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" by Freddy Fender. The next morning I had email asking me if I would come back and do it again the next week. The next time, I showed up as Vic Odin - a dark and surly character from Birmingham, England. The Small Stars became the stuff of drunken bar room legend around the Austin area. We were packing Ego's every Friday and so we cut a record and took our show on the road. This song, "I Turn Music Into Money," quickly became a crowd and radio favorite. I cut the vocal in one take at Bruce Robison's studio. Vic allowed me to get back to my musical theater roots both vocally and as an actor. I never broke character while I was dressed as Vic. Long after The Small Stars had stopped shining, people Vic had crossed paths with still believed that's who I was - they didn't know Nakia. They'd never heard my natural speaking or singing voice. It was fun revealing the truth to folks by slipping in and out of the British accent. Tomorrow night, I'll be dusting off my dollar sign glasses and ascot one more time for a very rare performance by The Small Stars at Elysium in Austin. You've been warned...

Download On iTunes

I Turn Music Into Money by The Small Stars

Mr. Kravin is a gamer from Austin, Texas with very popular YouTube and Twitch channels. He is known for playing horror games. He needed a song for the end credits of his videos. 

Run And Gun
Written by Nakia and Mr. Kravin
©2019 KiaChia Productions - All Rights Reserved

Mr. Kravin Theme Songs

Run And Gun - Mr. Kravin Theme Song 1

Mr. Kravin's YouTube

"Run And Gun" Mr. Kravin Theme Song 1

• Nakia is managed by Ron Stone and Peter Wark for <a href="http://gmemusic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gold Mountain Entertainment</a>.&#13;
• For interview or music streaming requests, please contact Cary Baker or Brian O'Neal at <a href="http://conqueroo.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Conqueroo Publicity</a>.&#13;
&#13;
Dream Big - Written by Nakia and Bleu&#13;
KiaChia Songs (BMI), Seriously, You Call This Music (ASCAP), administered by PigFactory USA (ASCAP)&#13;
Produced by Barry Goldberg and Johnny Lee Schell &#13;
Recorded by Johnny Lee Schell at Ultratone Studio, Studio City, CA&#13;
Mixed by Eric Jarvis at Crushpad Studio, Houston, TX&#13;
Guitars, Bass, Backing Vocals, Percussion - Johnny Lee Schell&#13;
Wurlitzer Piano and Hammond Orgran - Barry Goldberg&#13;
Drums - Don Heffington&#13;
Backing Vocals - Melanie Taylor&#13;
Security - Rooster the Dog&#13;
&#13;
&#13;
V1&#13;
Alabama, so hot in the summertime&#13;
It's so easy, to drown in the Crimson Tide&#13;
Momma told me there's more to life than this&#13;
She gave me a penny and said "boy don'tcha waste your wish&#13;
I want my baby boy to have, the things I never did,&#13;
&#13;
C1&#13;
Dream Big, it doesn't cost a dime&#13;
To build the rooms of your castle in the sky&#13;
The human heart, has no limits to it's size&#13;
So go on, dream big tonight."&#13;
&#13;
V2&#13;
Packed the hatchback with everything I owned&#13;
When I got to Chicago, I couldn't even pay the toll&#13;
Working two jobs, barely had time to sleep&#13;
No you can't get started, when you can't even make ends meet&#13;
And when I closed my eyes, all I could do is sing&#13;
&#13;
C2&#13;
Dream Big, it doesn't cost a dime&#13;
To build the rooms of your castle in the sky&#13;
The human heart, has no limits to it's size&#13;
So go on, dream big tonight&#13;
&#13;
Bridge&#13;
Now as I stand up here on this stage, singing my song for you&#13;
I think of the words that momma said, "if you don't dream it won't come true."&#13;
And when the lights come up, I close my eyes and sing,&#13;
&#13;
C3&#13;
Dream Big, it doesn't cost a dime&#13;
To build the rooms of your castle in the sky&#13;
The human heart, has no limits to it's size&#13;
So go on, dream big tonight&#13;
&#13;
Dream big tonight&#13;
Dream big tonight

Dream Big (Nakia/Bleu)

• Nakia is managed by Ron Stone and Peter Wark for <a href="http://gmemusic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gold Mountain Entertainment</a>.&#13;
• For interview or music streaming requests, please contact Cary Baker or Brian O'Neal at <a href="http://conqueroo.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Conqueroo Publicity</a>.&#13;
&#13;

Make Up With A Gun is CeeLo Green's favorite track by Nakia on this EP.

Make Up With A Gun - Written by Nakia and Aris Archontis&#13;
KiaChia Songs (BMI), Archonsound Publishing (BMI)&#13;
Produced and Mixed by Aris Archontis at Archon Studio, Sherman Oaks, CA&#13;
Lead Vocal - Nakia&#13;
Guitars, Keys, Harmonica, Percussion, Samples, Sounds, Fruit and Canned Squirt - Aris Archontis&#13;
Additional Guitar - Greg Pajer&#13;
Backing Vocals - Ainjel Emme&#13;
Whistle - Ariana Savalas&#13;
&#13;
V1&#13;
I’ve been hurting baby&#13;
I drank that gasoline&#13;
It burned my soul to ashes&#13;
Brought me to my knees&#13;
&#13;
Then I bet all my money&#13;
On a pony that won’t run&#13;
What I lack in common sense&#13;
I make up with a gun&#13;
&#13;
C1&#13;
Dooooooo, do-do-do-do-do-do&#13;
I make up with a gun&#13;
Dooooooo, do-do-do-do-do-do&#13;
I make up with a gun&#13;
&#13;
V2&#13;
Meet me at the station&#13;
Just keep outta sight&#13;
Cash your check at the Dollar Store&#13;
And let’s go chase the night&#13;
&#13;
Tell me that you love me&#13;
Look me in the eyes&#13;
Inside every shadow &#13;
Is a beautiful surprise&#13;
&#13;
C2&#13;
Dooooooo, do-do-do-do-do-do&#13;
A beautiful surprise&#13;
Dooooooo, do-do-do-do-do-do&#13;
A beautiful surprise&#13;
&#13;
Dooooooo, do-do-do-do-do-do&#13;
A beautiful surprise&#13;
What I lack in common sense&#13;
I make up with a gun

Make Up With A Gun (Nakia/Aris Archontis)

Remember This Christmas - Written by Nakia
(BMI - KiaChia Songs)

Remember This Christmas
By Nakia
Christmas is coming in just two weeks,
the trees are lit and the music is playing.
Children searching the sky for snowflakes,
making their lists and softly praying.

But some of us will be lonely this year,
spending Christmas alone.
Some of us lost a loved one this year,
but their memory lives on this Christmas - a season of joy.
Remember this Christmas is more than trees and toys.

Everyone has a special memory
of Christmases gone by.
Writing letters to Santa and dreaming
of sugar plumbs through the night.

A special gift that you got one year
or maybe one that you gave
To someone you had loved so dear
its cost to you outweighed by the joy you shared that Christmas -
a season of hope.
Remember this Christmas is more than ribbons and bows.

So come all ye faithful let's gather 'round the tree
Hold our hands and bow our heads and pray for those in need.

And even if you don't celebrate, try to understand
Now more than ever the world needs Christmas -
A time for all of man to love each other at Christmas
Remember the ones you loved this Christmas
Remember this Christmas - Christmas is love.

Christmas is coming in just two weeks. I hear them silver bells... Silver Bells.

©2009 Nakia Reynoso - KiaChia Songs (BMI) All Rights Reserved

Buy on iTunes

Remember This Christmas

My pal Kevin had recently had a baby and posted some audio of him rapping to his newborn while changing his diaper. I was inspired and turned that into a sample for fun. 

DooDoo Pants
Written by Kevin Curtin & Nakia Reynoso

Rap Vocals - Kevin Curtin
Production/Backing Vocals - Nakia

Yes I crapped my pants
Yes I crapped my doodoo pants
Get that baby wipe, throw away my dirty diap
Get that baby wipe, throw away my dirty diap

Did I crap my pants? Check!
Is my diaper wet? Yes!
Did I crap my pants? Check!
Is my diaper wet? Hey!!

Yes I crapped my pants
Yes I crapped my doodoo pants
Yes I crapped my pants
Yes I crapped my doodoo pants

Yes I crapped my pants (He crapped his pants)
Yes I crapped my doodoo pants
Yes I crapped my pants
Yes I crapped my doodoo pants  (Doodoo pants filled with crap all nite)

Yes I crapped my pants (He crapped his pants)
Yes I crapped my doodoo pants
Yes I crapped my pants
Yes I crapped my doodoo pants  (Doodoo pants filled with crap all nite)

©2020 KiaChia Songs
All Rights Reserved

Did I Crap My Pants?

DooDoo Pants

DooDoo Pants by Kevin Curtin feat. Nakia

It's Never Too Late
Written by Nakia Reynoso and Charlie Cotton
Produced and Mixed by Matt Parmenter - Ice Cream Factory
Mastered by Nick Landis
Drums/Percussion - Michael "Halftime" Peters
Acoustic Guitar - Brad Teeter
Lead/Backing Vocals - Nakia 
Matt Parmenter - Everything else

Lyrics:
Sometimes you don’t wanna get out of bed
Pull the covers up and hide from the world outside your head 
Darkness is always creeping around the bend
When you feel overwhelmed and tired just know you got a friend.

It’s never too late for things to get better for everyone
It’s never too late to start over and try again
The sun is always shining somewhere ￼at least for a little while￼￼￼
The stars are always twinkling on the other side
So no matter how dark that it gets we can find the light ￼

I know, that it can be hard to carry on 
When the noise gets so loud and it’s hard to sing your song
But hold on, remember you’re not alone
And when your lift voice to sing that the world will sing along

It’s never too late for things to get better for everyone
It’s never too late to start over and try again
The sun is always shining somewhere ￼at least for a little while￼￼￼
The stars are always twinkling on the other side
So no matter how dark that it gets we can find the light ￼

It’s never been more important to take care of each other 
Take the time to understand 
We’re all in this together and love is the power that holds us when we can’t hold each other’s hand
And we can sing this together no matter where we stand 

©2020 KiaChia Productions - All Rights Reserved

It's Never Too Late

Private Hell
Written by Stuart Douglas - Mr. Douglas Music (BMI)
Performed, Produced, and Mixed by Nakia

It was the darkest night in August 
when he walked into the bar 
All around people were drinking 
and smoking cheap cigars 

So he found himself a table 
in the back , where the light’s were low
And a waitress ( who looked a lot like Lana Turner) 
smiled and took his coat.

On the jukebox a song was playing 
with a haunting melody 
and a voice that just kinda hung there
singing slightly out of key.

It was a song about a woman 
and a love that did not last.
The lyrics seemed to chill him
like a voice out of the past. 

No one seemed to notice
as the record played over, and over, and over again. 
The room started spinning.
His torture had no end. 

Louder and louder, on and on
until he thought he’d surely go insane.
He paid the check, ran out the door
into the pouring rain. 

The song played on inside his mind
growing in unrestrained intensity. 
He stumbled to a phone, dialed real slow
She answered on the 7th ring. 

And he said “ baby, oh baby 
All has not been well. 
‘Cause without you I’ve been living
in my own private hell. 

Words and music by Stuart Douglas

Private Hell  (Single)

Private Hell

On season one of NBC's “The Voice,” Nakia quickly became a fan favorite, using his big grizzly voice to transform pop songs into his own unique style. While producers focused on his relationship with his husband and his struggle to make ends meet as a blues singer, what they didn't show you on TV was just how much Nakia accomplished on his own prior to the show. Long before Nakia was a semifinalist on CeeLo Green's team, he was a beloved member of the Austin music community, fronting bands, performing solo, and working with some music's biggest names. 

After the whirlwind of reality television died down, Nakia placed his focus on writing songs for his six-song EP, "Drown In The Crimson Tide," and the tour that followed. Four years later he recorded and released his acclaimed album, “Blues Grifter.” Nakia has recently been composing for film (Wasted On The Young) and TV (Skeleton Crew, Demon Doctor). Prior to the pandemic, Nakia had just begun writing new original songs and performing solo shows, and putting together a new band. When live events were canceled due to COVID-19, Nakia put more of his efforts into artist advocacy and led his nonprofit, Austin Texas Musicians, to advocate for the creation of emergency relief funding to musicians and music venues in Austin. Matthew McConaughey recently surprised Nakia with a private Zoom call where McConaughey named Nakia one of four, “Local Legends” as recognition of his volunteer work for the Austin music community during the pandemic. 

Nakia has been an active member of the Austin music community for over 17 years, and is an outspoken advocate for organizations such as HAAM and The SIMS Foundation. He has also served as the Chair of the Austin Music Commission and as a Board Governor for the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy. Nakia is a two-time Black Fret artist grant recipient and currently lives in Austin, Texas with his husband Robert and their Bouvier des Flandres, Baker.

For more information on Nakia visit nakia.net

Popular tracks by Nakia