can’tneverdidnothin’ is the beautiful, badass sound of one woman’s soul. And nobody has a soul quite as beautiful or badass as Nikka Costa. “When people tell me I don’t sing like a white chick, all I can think is `Thank God,’” Costa says with a laugh. “It’s not something I try to do. Well, actually, it may have been something I tried when I was fourteen years old sitting in front of my stereo trying to learn all the riffs and harmonies to every Stevie Wonder record, every Aretha Franklin or Chaka Khan song. That’s when I was schoolin’ myself. But after that, something just clicked. For me, soul is all about emotion – that’s what I’m trying to tap into. That’s what moves me.”

Having released records internationally as a young girl and later as teenager, Costa made her grown-up debut with 2001’s acclaimed Everybody Got Their Something, a vivid, vivacious and altogether funky introduction. On that acclaimed album, Costa tapped into the power of soul music that meant so much to her growing up, and found a sexy, joyful groove all her own. And so for the already converted who’ve been waiting for more, can’tneverdidnothin’ marks the second coming of Nikka Costa.

“I’m happy that the music resonated with the people who heard me last time,” Costa says. “Truthfully, I had my share of frustrations on the grand career level, but that album itself did seem to really connect with the people who heard it. Now those people expect something from me -- something left of center, something different. So I thought that with this album, I want to maintain my originality versus every other girl singer that’s out there. I’m still doing what I love and sticking with that path less traveled. At the same time, I really wanted to try to find more common ground.”

Written and co-produced by Costa, can’tneverdidnothin’ -- a memorable motivational phrase she grew up hearing from her Southern-born mother -- shows that this time around Costa has an even sharper sense of what her own something is now. Working closely with producer Justin Stanley, Costa has managed to make another great leap forward.

If something on can’tneverdidnothin’ doesn’t move you, contact a physician immediately. Highpoints -- and there are many – include the first single “Till I Get To You,” one of the first tracks she cut for the album. “Our friend Craig Ross came in and we jammed and came up with this groove. The lyrics are like a musical puzzle. I thought wouldn’t it be cool to run through the alphabet and have every letter stand for a lover and have the song end once I get to the letter ‘U.’” Less playful but equally memorable is “I Gotta Know,” a stately, piano-based love song that builds to a grand orchestrated request, soul mate to soul mate, to put one’s heart on the line.

Then there’s “can’tneverdidnothin’” -- the album’s rocking yet ultra-funky title track. “That one came halfway through getting the record done,” Costa says. “We started out thinking we were going to make a rock record and we kept writing these funk tunes. I figured I need that one song that’s going to let me get my balls out. That side of me is so integral to my live show. My stuff always gets harder live. And my mom always said that phrase when I was growing up. I thought “can’tneverdidnothin’” was such a cool way to say `You can do it.’ It’s kind of like saying, what the fuck are you complaining for? That song just flew out and I love its kickass energy.

Speaking of kick ass, now that the record’s done, Nikka Costa can hardly wait to get out on the road and kick some ass live. “I’m so excited,” she says. “That’s my favorite part. That’s where you get to bring it alive and connect. When I perform, I try to let myself go as much as possible. It’s not staged or choreographed. I’ve found the more I let go, the more I get out of it. Performing is the ultimate. It’s a sexual experience because it’s sweaty and screamy -- all those great things.”

Listen to can’tneverdidnothin’ because it’s all those great things. It’s sweaty and screamy and as soulful as the woman herself.

For more on Nikka Costa visit www.nikkacosta.com