Nikka Costa -can'tneverdidnothin'

Tue 16th Aug, 2005 in Music Reviews

Not only was Nikka Costa born into the music industry, she recorded her first single at only eight years old. Her father, Don Costa, a great producer in his own right, always had musicians around the house, including the legendary Sly Stone whom she tried to kick out of the house at only five years old. A shock European hit at a very young age, and a support slot for The Police, paved the way for an incredible career.

can’tneverdidnothing is the tell-tale insight into the inner core that is Nikka Costa. 2001’s Everybody Got Their Something, of which the title track had huge success in Hollywood movie Blue Crush, was ‘a vivid, vivacious and altogether funky introduction’ to what we now know as one hell of an artist.

Right from the start, the bass lines in ‘Till I get to you’ make you want to get up, shake your arse and have a great time. Catchy tune with saucy lyrics ‘my lover C caught me in the cookie jar, cause my lover D was too delicious to deny’. Title track can’tneverdidnothin’ sees the rock star emerge and she really lets loose. Basically, as Nikka says, the song is about asking ‘what the fuck are you complaining for?’ You have the power to change your situation if you just pull your head out. You can do it.

Fooled Ya Baby tricks you into thinking it’s a sweet and innocent little ballad. Right before you settle in for the long haul, the heart wrenching feeling of regret rocks you to the core with the synchronised perfection that is rhythm and soul.  I Gotta Know is a beautiful track that is about putting your heart on the line. ‘I gotta know if I give my heart to you, that everything you say is true, that everything you say you’ll do, you’ll do.’  It really epitomises the innocence of true love and everything, that everyone, wants from it.

Around the World is a bit pop-ish for my liking, however at the same time the lyrics create a sense of positivity that is always a bonus. Swing It Around has a soft, sexy, husky feel to it and is all about feeling confident and getting into the party.  It should be read as a motivational speech to women world-wide – post break-up that is!

Funkier Than A Mosquita’s Tweeter combines congas, bongos, drums and tablas before launching into the full effect of guitars and bass. It’s a very unique intro and, when you aren’t expecting it, it works on so many levels! On and On - re-enter rock - with a voice not so different to Macy Gray, it’s straight to the point with this one. ‘we don’t need to talk it over, let’s just get it on and on…’

Happy In The Morning is all about pure bliss. That feeling you get when you’re so happy you could burst? You mess up your words because you can’t concentrate? Well I can relate to it even if you can’t, and trust me when I say that the world would be a better place if we all felt like this 24/7. Funky tune as well.

Hey Love takes it down a notch, and with a sense of trepidation, Nikka strips back her soul and lays it on the table. This track is one of my favourites and it all comes down to pleading. Pleading for that someone to stand back, take a look around, have faith and realise what’s realise on offer. Friendship, love, a life. Fatherless Child is a testament to the influence Nikka’s father had on her life and her music. Even though he passed away when she was only 10 years old, the reality is that the intimate connection still exists and a huge part why Nikka is herself, is because of him. ‘I’ll try to make you proud, cause you’re the break in every cloud, and I’m convinced that’s why the sun shines in me.’ It is really a beautiful and significant track that invokes memories of close friends and family that are no longer with you.

Her sexy infusion of rock filled funk and soul takes you through so many emotions over the 11 tracks that it’s hard to keep yourself together.  Anger. Desire. Fury. Resentment. Longing. They’re all in there and they all take the intensity to a whole new level. Dancer Isadora Duncan is once quoted as having said “What one has not experienced, one will never understand in print.” The same can be said for this incredible sound.