Hey, it’s Purple Ni Ni—your Chinese R&B soul girl! In this first episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my journey from a bedroom musician to an artist with a global reach. Yep, we’re talking about how my music, like the latest track "Skin 2 Skin", went from private recordings to being played in 92 countries and counting (and climbing fast!).
Let’s keep it real: I didn’t start in a fancy studio. I started with a laptop, a cheap mic, and a whole lot of "what ifs". But before I share why I wrote "Skin 2 Skin"—the messy emotions, the late nights, and the moment I thought, "Will anyone outside my corner of the world get this?"—I have to take you back to BIMM. That’s where I met the person who changed my music career. They taught me the power of vulnerability as an Artist and that lesson echoed through every chord and lyric of "SKIN 2 SKIN".
Spoiler: The track earned global acclaim, from being named Record of the Day in the UK to receiving praise from the M.E.I Recordingin the US. Fans across the globe connected with the music, with messages pouring in from every continent, making this journey truly wild.
If you’ve ever chased a dream that felt too big, or wondered what happens after the "play" button—this one’s for you. No fluff, just the raw story of a girl from China whose music now travels farther than she’s ever flown.
Here's a short, chatty overview to help you follow my story:
Q1: Your friends say you’re sensitive but driven. How has that shaped your journey?
A: Being sensitive made setbacks hard, but I never quit—even when losing my voice in hospital, I kept going. Dedication got me through when others thought I was unstable.
Q2: Talk about the lowest point when you heard an inner voice. How did it affect you?
A: The voice said to find someone in the UK, but it led to hospital. ECT wiped my memories, but gave me a fresh start to rebuild.
Q3: Why choose to study music in the UK?
A: After hospital, I proposed my dad to do a master’s. We found BIMM, and a warm lady from Hong Kong in admissions made me believe in it.
Q4: How did you first connect with mentor Phil Nelson?
A: His emails were friendly, like talking to a familiar acquaintance. I later found he’s a Libra, like my old mentor.
Q5: How did Phil help you rebuild confidence in music?
A: He always encouraged my songwriting and performances. He even helped with industry contacts during his birthday week.
Q6: Your dad wanted you to run a milk shop. How did that change?
A: He used to criticize me even my dressing style, but now my songs are his ringtone. He finally said, "Do what makes you happy."
Q7: Where did "Purple Ni Ni" come from?
A: I’d seen musicians in purple who inspired me. Phil said, "There are many Ninis, but only one Purple Ni Ni"—so I took the name.
Q8: You had mental health struggles. What do you want others to know?
A: People called me unstable, but ECT helped me let go of labels. Now I tell fans: "We’re all human—it’s okay to struggle."
Q9: How did Phil make you more self-driven?
A: He recommended music business books and ways to listen to songs deeply. He was a steady presence, so I never worried about backfire.
Q10: Biggest lesson from your journey?
A: Trust your inner voice—Now I’m Purple Ni Ni, singing my truth.