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Nadia has come a long way from being an up and coming South African artist and has been making all sorts of waves not only in the music scene but also as a brand. Last year she collaborated with Red Bat to bring us her own Bragga collection.
2019 sees this queen performing at the SXSW fest in Texas this March. Talk about the right way to kickstart a new year.
READ MORE: 4 surprising things you didn’t know about Nadia Nakai
Recently we met the beauty at the Bacardi House Party sessions and were lucky enough to get up close and personal. She tells us about her up coming album, how she describes her style and where she sees the future of women in SA's rap scene.
First things first, who is your favourite SA artist?
Definitely Gigi Lamayne, and if I had a second option, it would have to be Rouge.
Which artists, international or local would you most like to work with?
I would have to say Kanye because I think he is so crazy and I'd love to see what kind of energy he'd bring out of me. I would also love to work with Eve for nostalgic reasons because I basically grew up listening to her as well as Missy Elliot.
What are you expecting from your first international performance in Texas this March?
To be quite honest, I am super nervous. People there don't know my music and there are so many opportunities, potential managers and even publicists that would be able to get me into the international market.
READ MORE: Hip-Hop HERSTORY – it’s about to get lit!
So I don't really know what to expect, I just know that I am going to have to push. It would probably feel like it felt when I first entered the rap scene and people didn't know me or my music. My game plan is to win them over with my energy.
You've been very hush hush about your up coming album, what can your fans expect?
People can definitely expect a whole new Nadia Nakai, the best you've ever heard me. I expect a lot of people to be surprised, a lot of people will also be shocked and even a little mad. I address a lot of the issues that people expect me to be quiet about.
READ MORE: Style Crush: Nadia Nakai
Basically this album is authentically me. You can expect me to be very real.
How do you describe your signature style?
I'd like to think that my style is universal. Something that represents the normal girl. Your every day girls who looks like me, dresses like me and probably shops at the same stores as me. In essence, I think my style is relatable.
Where do you see the future of female hip hop in SA for the next few years?
I see dominant female artists in their individuality and not as a collective making waves. Unfortunately, in the music industry there is no khumbaya, it's all about the artist and how hard he or she is pushing.
I also see a lot of strong artists who just happen to be female headlining their own shows, performing overseas and touring the world, all of which has nothing to do with gender, but the fact that they deserve to be there.
READ MORE: One-on-one with Nadia Nakai
Also I don't think every one will make it, only those who've actually worked as hard as possible to make it.
What advice do you have for aspiring female rappers here in SA?
It's all about hard work. I don't believe in handouts based on gender. Just because you're female does not mean you're entitled to a free pass or chance. It's about how hard you're working as an artist who is a woman.
What are you doing to make yourself heard? Are you making the right moves? Are you having the right conversations?. To me, that's all it is.
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