In 2022, singer-songwriter Angela Nichols released her single ‘Wings.’ She collaborated with creative producers Carlos Cahee, Sean Penn, and SX:AM. In the track, Nichols inspired truth and strength. The lyrics encouraged progress and growth. The track demonstrated her immense vocal talent.
From a young age, music inspired Nichols. She had fifteen years of experience in Motown, R&B, country, Christian, pop, and rock music. She performed for charity organizations, fashion shows, weddings, and private events. With impressive vocals across various genres, she connected with many people. Much of her discography contained positive messages.
In 2021, Nichols released her debut single ‘Don’t Count Me Out’ on YouTube. In 2018, she co-wrote the track with American Idol finalist Vincent Powell. They dedicated the song to The Joe Niekro Foundation and survivors of brain aneurysms. Also in 2018, she and her husband, John Bo Nichols, co-chaired the organization. Nichols will release the ‘Wings’ music video in 2023.
Listeners can find the track on music streaming platforms. To learn more about Nichols’ single, read the interview transcript below.
The Knockturnal: How has music inspired you?
Angela Nichols: Growing up in a multicultural home— my mother being Korean and my father American— I was surrounded by music with my family. It started with my Pentecostal roots singing in church in Jackson, Mississippi. I knew at the age of five when I got on stage that I wanted to be a singing artist. My childhood certainly had its moments of trauma and music was my escape, inspiring me to pursue my passion by stretching myself over a wide range of music genres. This has impacted my versatility as an artist today.
The Knockturnal: What was your vision behind the song?
Angela Nichols: Wings started with a dream. I knew this dream was too inspirational to not share. As many people and artists struggle with emotional breakthroughs, Wings is a vision of self-discovery to inspire truth within and to break free from any disbelief or any situation that stands in the way.
The Knockturnal: Can you describe your songwriting process, starting with a draft?
Angela Nichols: While looking up the meanings of my dream, the translations were so on point that I had to connect the dots, so I sent this dream idea to my music producers in Atlanta: Carlos Cahee, SX:AM, and Sean Penn and they loved it.
There were three main points from my dream that build into the song. From being chased while jumping on top of high buildings: representing the need to be brave and to take risks without fear. Lyrics: ‘I had to break away, I had to save myself from you, you’re holding me hostage. I’ve been running from something more than truth.’
The second point in my dream: I was hiding under leaves and feeling frozen. Interpretation: me suppressing my creativity and desire; to wake up, get up and take action. Lyrics: “I should have made, I should have made a way from here, a long time ago.”
The third point in my dream: I was running and then began to fly away while Robert Deniro (my nemesis) grabbed my foot and tried to pull me back down. I break free and fly away! Lyrics: “I was meant to fly, to never touch the ground, you lost control somehow, and now I can finally vow to who I am now and not just who I was, a lost soul on the run, hoping one day I can touch the sun.”
The Knockturnal: Can you share some fond memories of the production or recording process?
Angela Nichols: One of my favorite memories was collaborating with some amazing accredited producers from Atlanta: Carlos Cahee, SX:AM, and Sean Penn who work with known artists Ashanti, Lloyd, August Alsina, DJ Khaled, and others. I especially enjoyed working with Carlos in discovering the direction for Wings musically.
I especially enjoyed co-writing with SX:AM. I was inspired by his creativity in helping me connect the dots lyrically; he shared how much Wings meant to him also and how he could relate to his past and journey as an artist. Another fond moment was the last recording session with my producers.
The final touches just clicked into place, for example, I didn’t resonate with the original last line of the chorus, “All I needed was a loaded gun”, and I certainly didn’t want to shoot myself or wanted the listener to think this was the case! So with our creative caps on, we came up with “Hoping one day I can kiss the sun”. To experience the magic happening and the brilliance of us all coming together to create Wings will be a timeless piece to cherish always!
