NAKIKA “NICKY FINGERS” RILEY
story by NAKEISHA DAWSON-THOMPSON
Nakika “Nicky Fingers,” husband of Yolanda Young-Riley, and father to Nickayla (College of Charleston senior) and Nickindra Riley, (Whale Branch Early College High School freshman), was born and raised in Yemassee, SC to Amos and Mary Riley. He has two siblings: Michael and Veola Riley. Nakika, known to most as “Nicky,” attended school in the Yemassee school district. Nicky states that he first began playing music when he was only nine years old, playing only by ear. His father, Amos, was a great musician. Amos played the guitar and was a member of a band called the Gospel Prophets. At the age of 9, Nicky began playing the bass guitar. He remembers practicing with his father as a child, and later, he began playing with his father and the Gospel Prophets, who inspired him to pursue music professionally.
Nicky recalls many nights where he would be up playing the bass guitar, and his mother would often tell him to go to bed, he had school in the morning. His love for music and instruments was born and has not died or dwindled since. When Nicky entered high school, he joined the marching band at Wade Hampton High School, where he began playing the snare drum. His band director, Mr. Polk, realized Nicky’s skill and potential, and moved him to the advanced Jazz Band, where he began playing the bass cleft. It was there in high school where Nicky started to read music. During his high school years, Nicky had an offer to move to Florida and record an album, in which his father politely declined.
At the age of 17, Nicky began playing the keyboard. He recalls his sister having a keyboard that she didn’t use. He took that same keyboard on a road trip he attended with his family and began learning the chords to “Lean on Me” after hearing it played on the radio. His mother promised him that she would buy him a new keyboard, and she kept that promise. His graduation gift from her was a brand new keyboard. Nicky taught himself to play the keyboard and became very good at that as well.
In 1995, Nicky auditioned for Tony & Company out of Charleston, SC. He was hired on the spot to join the group and tour with them in Europe. He would go on to travel with the group for the next ten years.
Nicky then ventured out and formed his own group called “Intermission Production Company” in 1995. For the next ten years, he went on to accomplish many goals and dreams. He produced music for countless artists and groups. He co-produced on “Gideon” along with Pastor Phillip Patterson. In 2016, he founded Fresh Vibes and put together a group of musicians: Jessie Robinson, Lamont Kline, Avery Middleton, Adrianne Johnson, Johnathan Brown, and Corey Pope.
Nicky is also the co-founder of Extreme Praise, along with Minister Kenneth Bush. Extreme Praise began as a community choir in 2004 as an outlet for youth. This choir soon evolved into much more. Nicky and Extreme Praise have opened for recording artists, such as Tye Tribbett in Savannah, GA, Karen Clark-Sheard, Dorinda Clark, Douglas Miller, and more. In 2013, Extreme Praise performed their live recording of “Unconditional Love” at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Dale, SC. That CD was released in 2018 at Light House Christian Church in Beaufort, SC. “Unconditional Love” was nominated in 7 categories for the Rhythm of Gospel Awards. They won CD of the Year and accepted that award in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Nicky returned to tour with Tony & Company in 2019. They just returned from a tour in Italy, where Nicky was the music director for Mrs. Mildred “The Songbird” Daniels. While in Italy, they were able to meet the Pope and the Vatican. They were showcased at the annual Christmas show along with Susan Doyle, Lionel Richie, and many others.
Nicky has met and learned from so many influential people in his life; there are too many to name. He is known in the community, and his music speaks for itself. Nicky plays several instruments: bass guitar, piano, organ, drums, and guitar. He states he is most fluent with the bass guitar, but he plays the keyboard most often. Nicky currently works for Beaufort Jasper Sewer and Water Authority (BJSWA), is the lead musician at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, and is the music director for Ms. Gwen Evette. He continues to live his dream of playing music and traveling the world.
