Prince adored her. Quincy Jones called her a phenomenon.
NIK WEST is coming to Musicology Barcaffè Sessions on September 24 at BitefArtCafe — and she is not an artist who can easily be placed into a single genre or definition.
Funk, soul, rock, groove, explosive energy and complete unpredictability on stage — all of it exists simultaneously in her music. It is exactly why she is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive and authentic figures on today’s funk scene.
Quincy Jones described her as a “baaaad mama jama,” Steven Tyler exclaimed “Holy Funkadelic!”, while Prince spoke with particular admiration about her charisma and stage energy. Dave Stewart of Eurythmics called her “the female Lenny Kravitz.” It only takes a few minutes of watching her perform to understand why she inspires reactions like these.
With her signature bass clef-shaped mohawk, Nik West takes the stage as a combination of rock star, funk bandleader and old-school performer. She sings, plays bass with remarkable ease and moves with an energy that makes her concerts feel more like a raw live explosion than a conventional performance.
Audiences around the world have discovered her through collaborations with artists including Prince, Quincy Jones, Santana, John Mayer, Bootsy Collins, Macy Gray and Orianthi, as well as through her viral rendition of the AC/DC classic “Back In Black,” which earned public praise from Steven Tyler and Lenny Kravitz.
Her story began in Phoenix, in a musical family, where she formed her first band with her sisters while still a teenager. Although she initially played guitar, everything changed in high school when she heard Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.”
“That’s when I discovered the bass guitar, and there was no turning back,” Nik has said of the moment that changed the course of her life.
Beyond music, Nik West was an outstanding student, a state record-holder in track and field, and passionate about mathematics — so much so that she even ran a blog dedicated to her love of math. Yet instead of pursuing an academic path and athletic scholarships, she chose music.
Today, her career includes collaborations with Fender, Roland and ESPN, numerous original projects and her own educational program for young bass players. But what continues to define her most is her relationship with groove and live performance.
“I want people to feel freedom, energy and joy when I play. Funk should move people — physically and emotionally,” is an idea Nik West frequently expresses through both her performances and interviews.
On stage, she is not trying to look perfect.
She is trying to make you feel something.
And that is precisely why her concerts stay with you long after the final note.
Musicology Showcase by Lenovo
In partnership with Lenovo Serbia, Musicology Barcaffè Sessions has been supporting young and talented musicians for the fifth consecutive year through the Musicology Showcase by Lenovo program, giving them an opportunity to present their talent alongside internationally acclaimed artists.
Inspired by the American traditions of country and blues, original Belgrade band BACKSPRINT will open for NIK WEST as part of Musicology Showcase by Lenovo Vol. 5.
Backsprint is a Belgrade-based band whose original music combines country, rock and blues influences, building its sound around honest storytelling, strong emotions and a distinctive atmosphere.
Inspired by the American country and blues tradition while drawing on their own experiences and perspective, they write songs about love, loss, choices, self-reflection and everyday struggles.
Their performance will bring together atmospheric, intimate songs and more energetic country-rock, with a focus on natural dynamics, energy and the spontaneity of playing together.
Nik West on Her Upcoming Concert at BitefArtCafe
- This will be your third time in Belgrade! Are we officially part of your touring family now? What keeps bringing you back to Belgrade?
Absolutely! Three visits definitely sounds like family status to me. There’s something really special about the energy in Belgrade. The people are passionate — they listen, they dance, they sing, and they give that energy right back through the music. I loved dancing with the audience last time. That kind of connection is addictive. Every time I come back, it feels like I’m reconnecting with old friends, even when I’m meeting someone for the first time.
- People mostly talk about you as a bass player, but sometimes they forget what a strong songwriter and singer you are. Is there a part of your artistry you wish people noticed more?
Definitely. I love the bass — it’s my voice in so many ways — but first and foremost, I’m an artist. I write, I sing, I produce, I perform, and the message behind what I create is very important to me. I think sometimes people first notice the hair, the bass, the energy and the stage performance, which is beautiful, but behind all of that there’s a big story and a lot of heart. I’d love for people to discover that side of me too.
- Your concerts often feel more like celebrations than traditional performances. Is creating joy something you consciously think about when you step onto the stage?
One hundred percent. Life is already serious enough. When people come to a Nik West show, I want them to leave feeling more alive, lighter and more connected to themselves. I’m not just trying to play the notes correctly — I want to create an experience. If someone leaves the room smiling, dancing or inspired to be even more themselves, then we’ve done our job.
- You’ve played with some incredible musicians throughout your career. What is one lesson you learned from working with them that no music school could ever teach you?
Every great musician has their own language and their own way of communicating. Working with others has taught me that you don’t always have to prove everything you can do. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is create space for someone else to shine, and then build something together that neither of you could have created alone.
- Looking back, what would the Nik West of today tell the young musician who had just picked up a bass for the first time?
I would tell her not to rush to know everything right away. Play a lot, listen to different things, make mistakes and find what comes naturally to you. And don’t think too much about what the bass is supposed to sound like — find your own way of playing it.
A1 Serbia × Musicology Barcaffè Sessions
It is precisely experiences like these that are at the heart of the partnership between A1 Serbia and Musicology Barcaffè Sessions.
A1 believes that a quality everyday life is built around simple things — meaningful connections, the people who matter to us and the experiences that shape us. Culture brings all of these together, which is why, through this partnership, A1 aims to bring audiences closer to outstanding artists and concerts worth remembering.
Barcaffè × Musicology
See you at Musicology Barcaffè Sessions!
Barcaffè and Musicology have been connected for years by the same idea: the best moments happen when people come together, share an experience and stay just a little longer because the energy feels right.
Music, much like coffee, has the power to bring people together and turn an ordinary moment into one worth remembering.
Date: September 24, 2026
Doors open: 8:30 PM
Musicology Showcase by Lenovo: BACKSPRINT — 9:00 PM
NIK WEST — 10:00 PM
Tickets are available via bilet.rs:
https://bilet.rs/events/441/nik-west-musicology-barcaffe-sessions
Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1594404712144334
BitefArtCafe
Mitropolita Petra 8