Nicholle Jean Leary, better known by her stage name
Nikki Jean, is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress from St. Paul, Minnesota. Jean was once a part of the Philadelphia-based music group Nouveau Riche. She first gained major recognition in 2008, when she was featured on Lupe Fiasco's single "Hip Hop Saved My Life", from his second album
The Cool. In 2011, she signed as a recording contract with indie record label, S-Curve Records. In 2011, she released the concept album,
Pennies in a Jar. The lead single, "Steel And Feathers (Don't Ever)" was co-written by Bob Dylan. As an actress, she performed in the award winning independent film,
On the Outs.