Nominated for MTV award

Nikka Costa's got her 'Something'

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Nikka Costa may be up for the best new artist award at the MTV Music Video Awards Thursday night, but her music ties show her to be anything but a newcomer.

She's the daughter of Don Costa, Frank Sinatra's producer -- Sinatra was her godfather. At age 5 she was performing with Don Ho; by the time she was 8 she had recorded her first album. She built up a successful music career in Europe and Australia before returning to the United States.

Now, at 29, she's got a hit album -- "Everybody Got Their Something" -- and a hit single, "Like a Feather." Her sultry voice has invited comparison with Janis Joplin and Teena Marie.

"Showbiz Today Reports" anchor Laurin Sydney spoke with Costa about her early entry into the music business and her recent success.

CNN: I think it's so ironic that you are nominated for best new artist. You started your career at age 5, and you recorded at age 8. Does that have anything to do with all of the legendary performers that surrounded you during your childhood?

Nikka Costa: Well, I think that music was obviously part of my natural environment, so maybe it was one of those normal things for me to get into. But it didn't necessarily help me get a deal or all of those kinds of things because you still have to kind of back it all up. But I had a lot of people around me, and my dad was very musical and very supportive when I wanted to sing.

VIDEO CNN's Lauren Sydney talks with singer Nikka Costa about her new tour and 'Best New Artist' nomination at the MTV Music Video Awards (September 5) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

CNN: I know it is very important to you as an artist to connect with your fans and make sure they are having a good time. How important is winning an award to you as an artist tomorrow night at MTV?

Costa: Oh, it's such a cliché to say, "The most important thing is to be nominated." Winning would be great. No one likes to go home empty-handed. But at the same time, I am honored to even be considered in this category, cause there are so many new artists.

CNN: It took you two years to make this album, and you were allowed mostly creative control. How in the heck did you do that? It's so unusual.

Costa: I was very lucky. I am with a great company and they are very artist-friendly and into developing. And I think record companies need to give that freedom to artists because it is the only way you can create stuff that is going to last for a long time.

CNN: You're about to start your Funky White Bitch tour. Why did you name it that?

Costa: Well, I just completed a video for "Everybody Got Their Something," coming out in September. In it I play a superhero called the Funky White Bitch, and it's a spoof on the record industry, and there is this record company called Whack Records. It's done with a very silly sense of humor and it is very tongue-in-cheek. I am saving the world from whack music. It's totally ridiculous. We were laughing the whole time. I just really wanted to wear Underoos and a cape. So I had to think of a concept to do that.

CNN: Thank you and good luck tomorrow night.

Costa: Thank you.

MTV's John Norris: Awards to offer surprises