Nadia Nakai
Nadia Nakai | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Nadia Nakai Kandava |
Born | South Africa[1] |
Genres | Hip-Hop |
Occupations |
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Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 2011–present |
Labels |
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Nadia Nakai Kandava is a South African rapper and songwriter.[2]
Early beginnings
Nakai was born in South Africa.[1] Her father is South African and her mother is Zimbabwean.[3] She studied Marketing, Communication, and Media Studies at Monash University, Johannesburg.[1]
Career
2013–2017: Beginnings and Bragga
Nakai made her first television appearance on the e.tv hip hop show Shiz Niz where she won the Mixtape 101 competition, making her the first female to win the competition. She then rose to prominence in September 2013, when she released her debut single Like Me.[4] The following year, she was featured on the remix of Riky Rick song, Amantombazane amongst various acts.[5] As for June 2015, Nakai released her third single Saka Wena featuring rapper Ice Prince, following her second single, Whatever featuring DotCom and Psyfo.[6]
On August 2016, Nakai pre-released her single The Man featuring Cassper Nyovest from her then upcoming EP, Bragga.[7] Bragga was then released on 15 September 2016. In November 2017, Nakai released her critically acclaimed single Naaa Meaan featuring Cassper Nyovest.[8] The song topped charts in several radio stations in South Africa. On 4 November 2016, she hosted the red carpet special for MTV Africa at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards.[9]
2017–present: Nadia Naked
Nakai is currently[when?] the co-host of MTV Base hip hop show, Yo! MTV Raps South Africa alongside television presenter Siyabonga Ngwekazi.[10] On 3 May 2019, Nakai confirmed that her debut album Nadia Naked would be released on 28 June 2019.[11] On 18 May 2019, "Imma Boss" was released as the lead single accompanied by the album's artwork cover.[12] On 15 October 2020 Nakai released a documentary on Showmax about the making of the album Nadia Naked.[13] She was awarded the most stylish performing artist of 2020 at the 2020 SA Style Awards.[14]
Influences
Nakai was inspired by a Kenyan rapper, Nazizi, who she met while she was staying in Kenya. She said that Nazizi influenced her in starting her rapping career.[15]
Awards and nominations
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
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15th Metro FM Music Awards | Baddest (Remix) (feat. Fifi Cooper, Rouge (Rapper), Nadia Nakai & Gigi LaMayne | Best Remix | Nominated |
15th Metro FM Music Awards | Do I Like I Do (Remix) (DJ Sliqe feat. Riky Rick, Reason, L-Tido, Kwesta, Nadia Nakai & Flabba | Best Remix | Nominated |
24th South African Music Awards | Naa Meaan (feat. Cassper Nyovest) | Music Video of the Year | Nominated |
Zimbabwe Music Awards 2018 | Herself | Artist of the Year | Won |
South African Hip Hop Awards 2019 | Herself | Best Female | Won |
Nadia Naked | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
Herself | MVP/Hustler of the Year | Nominated | |
All African Music Awards 2019 | Nadia Naked | Album of the Year in Southern Africa | Nominated |
Imma Boss | Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa | Won | |
Herself | Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop | Won | |
South African Hip Hop Awards 2020 | Herself | MVP/Hustler of the Year | Nominated[16] |
40 Bars | Best Video | Nominated | |
More Drugs | Best Video | Won[17] |
Discography
Studio album
Title | Extended play details |
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Nadia Naked |
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Extended Play
Title | Extended play details |
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Bragga |
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Singles
As lead artist
Title | Year | Album | |
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Certification | |||
"Like Me" | 2013 | ||
"Whatever" (featuring DotCom and Psyfo) |
2014 | ||
"Saka Wena" (featuring Ice Prince) |
2015 | ||
"Money Back" | 2016 | ||
"The Man" (featuring Cassper Nyovest) |
Bragga | ||
"Don't Cut It" | |||
"Sqwaa" (featuring Gemini Major and Tshego) |
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"Naaa Meaan" (featuring Cassper Nyovest) |
2017 | Nadia Naked | |
"Money Calling" (with Frank Casino) |
2018 | ||
"Yass Bitch" | Nadia Naked | ||
"Imma Boss" | 2019 | ||
"Kreatures" (featuring Kwesta & Sio) |
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"40 Bars" (featuring Emtee & DJ Capital) |
2020 | Nadia Naked (Deluxe) |
As featured artist
Title | Year | Album | |
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Certification | |||
"Amantombazane Remix" (Riky Rick featuring Okmalumkoolkat, Maggz, Kwesta, Ginger Breadman, Kid X, Nadia Nakai and DJ Dimplez) |
2014 | RiSA: Gold | |
"Do Like I Do Remix" (DJ Sliqe featuring Riky Rick, L-Tido, Kwesta, Reason, Flabba and Nadia Nakai) |
2015 | Injayam, Vol. 1 | |
"Sugar Free" (Tumi featuring Nadia Nakai) |
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"Ragga Ragga" (Gemini Major featuring Cassper Nyovest, Nadia Nakai, Riky Rick and Major League) |
2016 | ||
"Savage" (DJ Milkshake featuring Da L.E.S,Maggz and Nadia Nakai) |
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"Crazy" (Spectacular and DJ Naves featuring Floda, Nadia Nakai and DJ Tira) |
2017 | ||
Isaga Lam (Miss Pru DJ featuring LaSauce, Gigi Lamayne, Nadia Nakai and Londie London) |
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Uh Huh (Priddy Ugly featuring Nadia Nakai) |
2017 |
References
- ^ a b c Mmakou, Boitumelo (30 January 2015). "Up Close & Personal With Nadia Nakai". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "Nakai: Rising rap queen". The Zimbabwe Independent.
- ^ "9 Interesting Facts About Nadia Nakai". People.
- ^ "Nadia Nakai "Like Me" by Sid Records". SoundCloud.
- ^ "Track of the Day: Riky Rick – Amantombazane (Remix)". Platform.
- ^ "Saka Wena (feat. Ice Prince) – Single by Nadia Nakai". Apple Music.
- ^ "New Release: Nadia Nakai – The Man [ft Cassper Nyovest]". SA Hip Hop Mag.
- ^ "Twitter gives Nadia Nakai's new track a thumbs up". TimesLive.
- ^ "Nadia Nakai served Mzansi sauce at the MTV EMAs". SowetanLIVE.
- ^ "Nadia Nakai and Siyabonga Ngwekazi to host Yo! MTV Raps Africa". BONA.
- ^ "Nadia Nakai new album: 'Nadia Naked' gets a release date". The South African.
- ^ "Nadia Nakai Drops Quotable After Another In Her New Single 'Imma Boss'". OkayAfrica.
- ^ Seemela, Masego. "Nadia Nakai's doccie to premiere exclusively on Showmax next week". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ Mabhena, Naledi (23 November 2020). "SA Style Awards 2020: Best and Worst Dressed Plus the Winners". Savanna News. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ "Interview With African Rap Queen Nadia Nakai". Youth Village Zimbabwe.
- ^ "Here are the South African Hip Hop Awards 2020 Nominees". Okay Africa. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Here Are the 2020 South African Hip Hop Awards Winners". Okay Africa. Retrieved 14 December 2020.