Leaders of the Carolinas 2017 (Backpack Shawty) carolina mag backpack | Page 16

KID ACT OF THE YEAR
Born Alexana Ni'Yai Allen on May 12, 2001, in Dillon, South Carolina. She
got her nickname from her grandparents who could not pronounce her
birth name. As the only child of Tumika and Reggie Charles Allen, she
always wished for siblings. She spent much of her time at her
grandparent's home just to play with her cousins. Her older cousin, Ciera,
introduced her to hip-hop and dance. It was then she began to create
dance routines to different music. Niya's parents divorced when she was 8
years old. Due to her parents separation, she moved to Columbia, South
Carolina with her mother. In a new city without any siblings or cousins to
have fun with, she joined her elementary school's step team. She enriched
her dance and music influences through the years participating in school
competitions. Relocating once again to another part of Columbia,
Northeast, she didn't like certain things about the new middle school's
step team and decided not to join. Niya continued to create dance moves
to different music. When she reached 7th grade, she decided to start her
own dance group. Niya began to listen more to K Camp, August Alsina,
Chris Brown, Ciara, & Nicki Minaj. Her group created more dance routines
to the music of these artist. Niya's Music career began at the age of 12,
when she wrote her 1st rap "I Am Fresh" and presented it to her mother.
It was then her mother took notice that Niya was not only a great dancer
but also a songwriter in the making. The combination of music and her
mother's discipline of making her read books beyond her grade level
helped her to not only keep good grades, but to also shape her into a
young artist of strong melodic and lyrical footing. Her 2nd rap "Rockin
with the Best" is becoming a favorite of her new fans. She now shares her
talents with the world through her music and dance routines on her social
websites, step shows, festivals, and events around the city. We look
forward to the success and growth of Niya, the young MC representing
803...