Tributes are being paid to soca artist Nicole ‘Niki’ David, affectionately referred to as Saint Lucia’s “Queen of Soca”, following her death at the age of 51.
“Rest in peace one of the greatest performers out of St Lucia,” singer Arthur Allain wrote on his Instagram account after multiple outlets reported her death. “Phenomenal vocalist… May her legacy live on through her music.”
It was announced last year that David had been diagnosed with cancer.
“This diagnosis has come as a profound shock to us all, as her symptoms had seemed minor until further testing revealed just how serious her condition had become,” read a GoFundMe page organised by Giselle Brown and David’s partner, Rody, at the time. The fundraising page successfully reached its £10 000 target to cover medical treatment abroad, as the necessary care was not available locally at the Owen King European Union Hospital.
In a video released in November 2024, David said she was receiving chemotherapy in Saint Lucia due to travel risks. “Whatever you can give goes a long way because chemo and all the little things they have to do to get the body back on track is very expensive,” she said.
David began her career as a performing artist with the band DN5 and gained national recognition with the 1998 release of Put Your Waist Into It. In 2005, she became the first woman to win Saint Lucia’s Road March title with Queen of the Jungle (Bounce). She later performed at the 2009 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival alongside international acts including Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan and George Duke.
Her final public appearance was during the 2024 Soca Monarch Finals, where she performed It’s Carnival Again with Kisha.
Sad to hear about the passing of my former neighbour.
Nicole had a powerful personality and an equally powerful voice and she made her mark on the musical stage.
Condolences to her family and to the musical fraternity.