Professional drummer and percussionist with 18 years of experience, I deliver custom, studio-quality drum tracks across genres—from jazz to pop—for artists seeking creative, polished, and genre-appropriate rhythms to elevate their music.
Hi! I'm Nikao, a professional drummer and percussionist with 18 years of live and studio experience, offering custom-recorded drum and percussion tracks to elevate your music. Whether you’re working on a heartfelt ballad or a groove-driven anthem, I bring creativity, precision, and genre versatility to every session.
I’m well-versed in Christian, R&B, country, jazz, rock, funk, and pop, and I’ve had the privilege of working with artists such as Calvin Edwards, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Kyle Matthews, and Richard Kingsmore. I’m also the house drummer at Coyote Joe’s in Charlotte, NC — one of the Southeast’s premier live music venues.
With a wide selection of drums and cymbals to match your sound and a professional studio setup with industry-standard plugins, I’m committed to delivering tracks that fit seamlessly into your production and bring your vision to life.
Let’s create something great — I’m looking forward to playing on your next project!
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
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Interview with Nikao
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: There is a project called "Dreams of a Working Man" by Joshua Ray Hudson. I was blessed to be able to play drums and percussion on the entire album. Joshua is a fantastic songwriter and such a fun guy to work with. I also got to experiment with different sounds and knick-knacks. My ideas seemed to flow more smoothly than they ever had before. I'm really proud of that record!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I'm completely new here, so I don't know anyone yet...
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I'm torn!! I love the sound of analog, but I love the ease and flexibility of digital. If you forced me to choose... I'd say digital.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise that I'll approach your song without ego and put your vision first. I'm also a cool guy and easy to work with. I promise you'll have one of the best working experiences you've had!
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the creative process of building a song from scratch and solving the puzzle of how my part can fit and lock in and support the song.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What do you want your song to sound like? Do you have examples? What music has been inspiring you lately?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Take the time to clearly define what you want your song to sound like and articulate it to the best of your ability. A clear vision helps me serve you well!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Hmmmm... Does this have to be gear I own??? I think I'll dream lol. I'd have a Gretsch Jasper shell kit (12,13,14,16,22), My ludwig chrome over brass Supraphonic, Istanbul Agop cymbals, Coles 4038 (stereo pair), Fet 47
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I grew up in a very musical household. My dad was a singer/songwriter, and everyone in my family either sang or played an instrument. I began playing the drums in church at the age of 10. By the age of 12, I knew that music was the only thing I had ever wanted to do. I was in the marching band in high school and played every concert and production that my school put on. By the time I graduated, people were paying me to play, so I began to piece together a career. I've been blessed to be able to support myself through music most of my life!
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I'm a smooth player. Even when I'm playing a high-energy tune, there's a calmness and flow to my playing. I currently do most of my work in the country, rock, and CCM arenas, but my roots are in '60s and '70s funk, R&B, and a healthy dose of jazz and fusion, so those elements are etched in my DNA no matter what I play.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I'd love to work with John Mayer. His music just GOOVES! I love the care and thought he puts into all aspects of a song. I would learn so much, and my musicality would skyrocket playing with a guy like him.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: One thing I've learned is that each player in a session needs to ensure that every note serves a purpose. As a drummer, my dynamics need to support the vocals, and every drum fill should lead the song appropriately into the next section. Nothing should be random.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Most of the recording opportunities I've had have been in the country, folk, and Americana worlds. I've made a living playing live in many more genres, though, and would love the opportunity to broaden my range of session work.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My people skills and curiosity are my biggest strengths. Also, I have a good ear for what makes a song groove and flow.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I've been blessed to make a living playing with a diverse range of people across various genres, and I've learned how to adapt and serve the music in whatever way possible. My openness and willingness to be curious and adapt are my biggest strengths.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I typically have a conversation with the artist or producer and find out, in as much detail, the vision of the song and hopefully get a few reference tracks. Once i'm clear on the vision, I will chart the song, get a good take, and do percussion overdubs if nessesary. I'll email a rough mix to the artist/producer and make any changes that might need to be made. upon approval and payment ill email all stems to via we transfer.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My gear includes: DRUMS; Gretsch Catalina Maple (10,12,14,16, 22) 1970's Ludwig standard (13,16,22) Gretsch Broadkaster (12,14,18) SNARES: Ludwig Supraphonic 6.5x14 Ludwig Chrome over Brass 6.5x14 Ludwig Raw Brass 5x14 Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Various Pearl and Slingerland maple snares CYMBALS; A wide variety of Istanbul Agop and Zildjian models MICS: Sure SM 57 x4 Slate ML-1 x2 Sennheiser e604 x3 Cascade Fathead x2 Sure beta 52 Yamaha Subkick Presonus Quantum 26x32 Presonus Digimax Industry standard plugins
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I was raised on a healthy dose of Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire. As I grew older, I began to delve deeper into bands like Steely Dan, Toto, and Tears for Fears. My biggest drumming influences are Omar Hakim, Aaron Sterling, and Steve Jordan, among a plethora of others.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I record drum and percussion tracks for artists and producers
