Purple NiNi (Ni Mengni) is an R&B singer and musician hailing from Jinan, Shandong, China that has been enamored with music since her early years.
Purple NiNi majored in Pop music at Shandong University of Arts. In 2012, she achieved the silver award in the Shandong Young Singers Competition (Pop Group). Later, she went to the Musicians Institute in the U.S. to study Western modern vocal techniques. She then attended BIMM Institute (London) where she obtained a master’s degree while learning from esteemed mentors. In the UK, she performed at well – known venues, captivating audiences with her talent.
Purple NiNi has also ventured into the acting realm, appearing in TV shows, and she shares her musical knowledge as a guest vocal tutor at her alma mater.
Driven by a passion for global pop culture exchange, Purple NiNi is committed to creating top-notch music. She aims to break cultural barriers through her art, bringing people from different parts of the world closer together through the universal language of music.
With her single, “SKIN 2 SKIN,” out now, we took some time to hear from Purple NiNi. Read below to learn more about Purple NiNi, the story behind her single, and what’s to come.
Hi Purple NiNi! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
I’ve had many musicians who inspired me along the way. The first mentor who taught me how to write songs wore purple in various shades. It was so unique, and it left a deep impression on me. Little did I know back then that I would one day become Purple NiNi.
Then, when I was studying at BIMM, my mentor Phil, one of the big shots in the industry noticed how much I loved purple. He knew ‘NiNi’ was way too common. If I used just that as my stage name and released songs, people might never find the real me because there’d be so many others with the same name (even my aunt named herself as Ni Ni) So, he first suggested ‘galaxy,’ but turns out, someone else was already using it. Then, he asked me, ‘What’s your favorite color?’ And I was like, ‘Purple, no doubt!’ That’s how ‘Purple NiNi’ was born. It’s not just a name; it’s like it’s meant to be me.
It’s as if the universe had this all planned out, and now I get to shine in the music world as the most ‘me’ version of myself!
What city are you from and where are you based now?
I was born and raised in China. Although, I moved to Switzerland with my parents at 13, I returned to China three years later. After that, I went on to study in the US and the UK, and I’m currently based in mainland China.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
Actually, I’ve loved singing since I was really little. I used to stand by my window and sing to people passing by on the street—total strangers! Then, when we moved to Switzerland at 13, every week in music class, we’d play songs from the Billboard Top 50. I was also invited to perform at many inter-school gatherings back then, and I realized that’s exactly when I knew I had to sing.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
That’s a deep question, and I guess the answer is definitely yes. Music, to me, is like the language of our subconscious. I don’t want to break some perfect image, but everyone’s upbringing carries traces of their original family. My parents would argue, my mother had poor health, and my father was always working to support the family. When I was really young, I stayed a lot with my grandfather. Back then, singing was my favorite thing because it gave me space and freedom. Whenever I sought companionship, music was always there around me. I hope to use music to heal some of the wounded corners of the world—to be a source of strength. I truly feel like I am music, and music is me.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
I absolutely love diving into the worlds of R&B and Funk, exploring the works of veteran artists in those genres, as well as checking out some of the modern Pop R&B singers in China today.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I really love this question! I’m actually super into colors, especially reimagining different aesthetics—whether it’s watching a movie (acting around a scene), reading a book, writing down my feelings, or even taking photos at places that I visit. I’m also a huge swimmer; you could say I have a deep love for water.
I find that writing morning pages every morning really works for me. It helps distill my emotional life and guides me on what kind of work to create next.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Some of my favorite artists are Ella Mai, Toni Braxton, Muni Long, Kiana Lede, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera—of course there are more! There was a period when I was really obsessed with Muni Long, and people even loved it when I covered Amy Winehouse’s songs. I guess these influences must show up in my music in some way!
Who would be a dream to collaborate with?
I hope to collaborate with my idols like Ella Mai or Kiana Lede, as well as other artists or bands of the same genre who have made it onto the Billboard charts or won GRAMMY/Oscar awards—someone like Mateus Asato, for example. 🙂
What are some of your future music career goals?
This year, I hope to hold 3-5 large-scale R&B-themed specialty concerts, aiming for 300-500 attendees each time. I also plan to release 3-5 new singles and compile them into an EP. Additionally, I’m eager to license my songs for sync in more movies, TV shows, and other media.
Additionally, I hope this song will surpass 100,000 streams and attract over 10,000 monthly listeners and fans on platforms, such as Spotify.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Every time that I start singing, some industry veterans get totally blown away—laughs! I remember Allan Rich told me that he’s proud of me because my voice is one-of-a-kind. And my mentor, Phil, his belief in me and the way he’s always affirmed my work . . . that means everything.
I’ve actually won a lot of awards in the past, but what I’m most proud of right now is what I’m doing at this very moment—teaching at a university, releasing my own albums, and organizing international pop music exchange events.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
Trust your own instincts, trust the universe, and believe that miracles can happen (Believe in GOD).
Now onto your release, ‘SKIN 2 SKIN.’ What inspired this song?
Originally, it was a logo on a magazine page that caught my eye and inspired me. But later, I realized this urge that I felt—the kind that only comes when I’m around someone special, where I feel completely safe. And, honestly, I still haven’t told him about it.
What is ‘SKIN 2 SKIN’ about?
At first, I just wanted to break my own boundaries because, in many people’s eyes—especially within Asian cultures—there are so many ‘shouldn’ts’ and ‘can’ts’ for women. But later, this desire turned into a genuine reflection of my inner self: a tiny secret deep inside, yet the truest part of who I am. I feel like I’m growing into a better version of myself every day, and when I’m around him, I’m just a little girl at heart. I think I just need to tell him . . . that he can actually come a little closer.
What is your favorite lyric in ‘SKIN 2 SKIN’ and why?
“You Know I’m a Good Girl, I don’t think it’s bad for you to undress me . . .”
This is the truest version of myself, though this line was actually fine-tuned through back-and-forth with my lyrics mentor, Allan Rich!
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘SKIN 2 SKIN?’
I think life is too short to care too much about what others think. We should be brave enough to be with the person that we love. This is my most sincere wish.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
In May, I have several performances lined up—though the exact dates haven’t been fully confirmed yet. There will be on-site recordings, and I’ll definitely share snippets and updates on social media!
Where can we follow you on social media?
My socials are:
@purrnirnb – IG
@Purpledazzlenini – TikTok
@Mengni Ni (Purple NiNi) – Facebook
Before you go, let’s ask you something random. What is your favorite drink?
I love coconut/lemon juice.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
