Spanish-bilingual vocalist, composer, lyricist and bandleader Nicole Patrice is a South Side Chicago native redefining what modern funk-rock can sound like. Raised in a home shaped by deep musical lineage — her father, the late Michael Adams, was a classically trained drummer and composer — Nicole taught herself to push beyond tradition, blending grit, soul, and avant-funk into a voice all her own. She later trained under renowned vocal coach Robert Burgess of Vocal Mechanics, sharpening her three-and-a-half–octave contralto into a dynamic instrument built for both power and nuance.

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    Onstage, Nicole channels a raw, electric presence that pulls equally from Betty Davis’s feral funk, Sarah Vaughn’s velvet jazz phrasing, Chaka Khan’s fire, and the rhythmic command of Celia Cruz — not as imitation, but as evolution. She has fronted a range of Chicago rock, funk, and soul ensembles, earning a reputation for performances that blur the line between concert and ritual.

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    Now leading Nicole Patrice & The Exes, she is carving out a new lane in Chicago’s live music scene: a femme-driven, future-funk sound built on original songwriting, fearless storytelling, and innovative reinterpretations of funk heritage. Her debut album, Venus in Detriment, showcases her distinct blend of sensual grit, alt-funk attitude, and bilingual lyricism — signaling a new era for modern funk-rock.

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Sounds like: Betty Davis • Sarah Vaughn • Chaka Khan • Celia Cruz
(but unmistakably Nicole Patrice)

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For info and bookings: bookings@nicolepatriceandtheexes.com

Donations / support: CashApp $NicolePatriceMusic