Born and raised in the historical Fillmore Jazz district of San Francisco, Ari "illa" Nicole is no stranger to soulful melodies. At a young age, she knew that music was her passion. From sitting on her mother's lap mimicking her singing techniques, to laying in between tower speakers soaking up the sounds, Illa's love for music triumphed. She began by joining the church choir at 5 and shadowing her uncle, singer/songwriter Kenyan "K-Maxx" Hopkins, throughout all of his musical endeavors. Illa is actively producing, writing, and arranging music on the daily. 
 Her first project, the Favor EP, exclusively produced by noted Bay Area producer Trackademicks, is slated to release in June 2017. With heavy influences from legends such as Stevie Wonder and Donnie Hathaway, Illa brings the harmony back while making it her own with later influences such as Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans. There is a big lane that R&B music has been missing, and Illa definitely is the lady to bring the love back.