Nadia Nakai Explained

Nadia Nakai
Birth Name:Nadia Nakai Dlamini
Birth Date:1990 5, df=yes
Birth Place:South Africa[1]
Origin:Johannesburg[2]
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Genre:Hip hop
Years Active:2011–present
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Nadia Nakai Kandava (née Dlamini;[3] born 18 May 1990),[4] [5] is a Zimbabwean-South African rapper and television personality.[6]

Early life and education

Nakai was born in South Africa. Her father is South African and her mother is Zimbabwean.[7] When she was 16 years old, her surname was changed from her father's to her mother's.[8]

Nakai attended Fourways High School in Johannesburg for a year then finished her schooling in Kenya. She later studied a degree in marketing, communication, and media studies at Monash University, Johannesburg.

Career

2013–2017: Beginnings

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".[9] The following year, she was featured on the remix of Riky Rick song, Amantombazane amongst various South African acts.[10] As for June 2015, Nakai released her third single "Saka Wena" featuring rapper Ice Prince, following her second single, "Whatever" featuring DotCom and Psyfo.[11]

In August 2016, Nakai pre-released her single "The Man" featuring Cassper Nyovest from her EP, Bragga.[12] Bragga was then released on 15 September 2016. In November 2017, Nakai released her critically acclaimed single "Naaa Meaan" featuring Cassper Nyovest.[13] 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.[14]

2017–2020: Nadia Naked, and Def Jam Africa

In 2019, Nakai co-hosted the MTV Base hip hop show, Yo! MTV Raps South Africa alongside television presenter Siyabonga Ngwekazi.[15] On 3 May 2019, Nakai confirmed that her debut album Nadia Naked would be released on 28 June 2019.[16] On 18 May 2019, "Imma Boss" was released as the third single accompanied by the album's artwork cover.[17] On 15 October 2020, she released a documentary on Showmax about the making of the album Nadia Naked.[18] In May 2020, she signed a record deal with Def Jam Africa.[19]

At the 6th ceremony of AFRIMA, she took-home Best Female Artist award.[20] She was awarded the most stylish performing artist at the 2020 SA Style Awards.[21]

2021–present: TV shows

In 2021, Nakai hosted the first season of Channel O's Gen-Z South Africa television show.[22] [23] In June 2021, she left Family Tree Records to pursue her own label.[24] At the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards, Nakai received a nomination for Artist of the Decade.[25]

In 2022, Nakai appeared on the Netflix original reality show Young, Famous & African.[26]

Influences

Nakai was inspired by a female Kenyan rapper, Nazizi, who she met while she was staying in Kenya. She said that Nazizi influenced her in starting her rapping career.[27]

Personal life

She was in a relationship with the late South African rapper AKA.[28]

Awards and nominations

!Award!Year!Recipient(s) and nominee(s)!Category!Result!Ref.
Zimbabwe Achievers Awards2016HerselfMusic Artist of the Year[29]
Metro FM Music Awards2016Baddest (Remix) (with AKA, Fifi Cooper, Rouge & Gigi LaMayne)Best Remix[30]
Do I Like I Do (Remix) (with DJ Sliqe, Riky Rick, Reason, L-Tido, Kwesta & Flabba)
South African Music Awards2018Naa Meaan (feat. Cassper Nyovest) (Directed by Family Tree)Music Video of the Year[31]
2021Nadia NakedBest Hip Hop Album[32] [33]
South African Hip Hop Awards2019Album of the Year[34] [35]
HerselfBest Female
MVP/Hustler of the Year
2020[36] [37]
40 Bars (featuring Emtee & DJ Capital) Directed by KaykayribaneBest Video
More Drugs (featuring Tshego) Directed Allesio Bettocchi & Jilten Ramlal
2021HerselfArtist of the Decade[38]
All Africa Music Awards2019Nadia NakedAlbum of the Year in Southern Africa
HerselfBest Female Artiste in Southern Africa
Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop
SA Style Awards2021Most Stylish Performing Artist
Basadi in Music Awards2023 Hip Hop Artist of the Year

Discography

Studio album

Studio album! Title! Extended play details
Nadia Naked

Extended Play

Extended play! Title! Extended play details
Bragga

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearAlbum
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)
"Naaa Meaan"
(featuring Cassper Nyovest)		2017Nadia Naked
"Money Calling"
(with Frank Casino)		2018
"Yass Bitch"Nadia Naked
"Imma Boss"2019
"Kreatures"
(featuring Kwesta & Sio)
"40 Bars"
(featuring Emtee & DJ Capital)		2020Nadia Naked (Deluxe)

As featured artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearAlbum
Certification
"Amantombazane Remix"
(Riky Rick featuring Okmalumkoolkat, Maggz, Kwesta, Ginger Breadman, Kid X, Nadia Nakai and DJ Dimplez)		2014RiSA

Gold

"Do Like I Do Remix"
(DJ Sliqe featuring Riky Rick, L-Tido, Kwesta, Reason, Flabba and Nadia Nakai)		2015Injayam, Vol. 1
"Sugar Free"
(Tumi featuring Nadia Nakai)
"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)
"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)
Uh Huh
(Priddy Ugly featuring Nadia Nakai)		2017
Zonke(Phantom Steeze featuring Sjava, AKA, Nadia Nakai,Robot Boii, Buzzi Lee and Mustbedubz)2022

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Boitumelo . Mmakou . Up Close & Personal With Nadia Nakai . Bona Magazine . 30 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190618132844/https://www.bona.co.za/close-personal-nadia-nakai/ . 18 June 2019 . dead . Although I have a Zimbabwean heritage, I was born and raised in South Africa..
  2. Web site: Nadia Nakai . 2023-02-19 . Def Jam Africa . en-US . 19 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219161724/https://www.defjam.africa/artist/nadia-nakai/ . live .
  3. Web site: Hip Hop Awards 2022: Who is Nadia Nakai? Meet Burgeoning South African Hip Hop Star . 2023-10-18 . BET . en . 4 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221004224412/https://www.bet.com/article/df59vk/hip-hop-awards-2022-five-things-to-know-about-nadia-nakai . live .
  4. Web site: SEE: Nadia Nakai celebrates 30th birthday . 1 March 2022 . www.glamour.co.za . en . 1 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220301094432/https://www.glamour.co.za/celebrity-news/see-nadia-nakai-celebrates-30th-birthday-48124047 . live .
  5. Web site: Jovaza . 18 May 2021 . Nadia Nakai excited to celebrate her 31st birthday today - . 1 March 2022 . en-US . 24 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211024164716/https://jovaza.com/2021/05/18/nadia-nakai-excited-to-celebrate-her-31st-birthday-today/ . dead .
  6. Web site: Nakai: Rising rap queen. The Zimbabwe Independent. 3 October 2018. 11 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200511072748/http://www.theindependent.co.zw/2017/06/23/nadia-rising-rap-queen/. live.
  7. Web site: 8 fun facts you may not know about Nadia Nakai. 19 May 2020. 20 March 2022. The Citizen. Sekhu. Michael. 17 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220117101026/https://www.citizen.co.za/entertainment/celebrity-news/2287589/8-fun-facts-you-may-not-know-about-nadia-nakai/. live.
  8. Web site: Nadia Nakai joins Cassper's record label. The Chronicle. 20 February 2016. 20 March 2022. 20 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220320132001/https://www.chronicle.co.zw/nadia-nakai-joins-casspers-record-label/. live.
  9. Web site: Nadia Nakai "Like Me" by Sid Records. SoundCloud. 3 May 2019. 3 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190503143806/https://soundcloud.com/sid-records/nadia-nakai-like-me. live.
  10. Web site: Track of the Day: Riky Rick – Amantombazane (Remix). Platform. 3 May 2019. 3 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210303191041/http://pltfrm.co.za/track-of-the-day-riky-rick-amantombazane-remix/. dead.
  11. Web site: Saka Wena (feat. Ice Prince) – Single by Nadia Nakai. Apple Music. 3 May 2019. 17 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017075823/https://music.apple.com/za/album/saka-wena-feat-ice-prince-single/971718993. live.
  12. Web site: New Release: Nadia Nakai – The Man [ft Cassper Nyovest]]. SA Hip Hop Mag. 3 October 2018. 3 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181003220914/https://sahiphopmag.co.za/2016/08/new-release-nadia-nakai-the-man-ft-cassper-nyovest/. live.
  13. Web site: Twitter gives Nadia Nakai's new track a thumbs up. TimesLive.
  14. Web site: Nadia Nakai served Mzansi sauce at the MTV EMAs. SowetanLIVE. 3 May 2019. 3 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190503143814/https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/pic-of-the-day/2018-11-07-nadia-nakai-served-mzansi-sauce-at-the-mtv-emas/. live.
  15. Web site: Nadia Nakai and Siyabonga Ngwekazi to host Yo! MTV Raps Africa. BONA. 3 May 2019. 20 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190420202012/https://www.bona.co.za/nadia-nakai-and-siyabonga-ngwekazi-to-host-yo-mtv-raps-africa/. dead.
  16. Web site: Nadia Nakai new album: 'Nadia Naked' gets a release date. The South African. 3 May 2019. 3 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190503143814/https://www.thesouthafrican.com/nadia-nakai-new-album-nadia-naked-release-date/. live.
  17. Web site: Nadia Nakai Drops Quotable After Another In Her New Single 'Imma Boss'. OkayAfrica. 18 May 2019. 18 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190518104643/https://www.okayafrica.com/nadia-nakai-imma-boss-single/. live.
  18. Web site: Seemela . Masego . Nadia Nakai's doccie to premiere exclusively on Showmax next week . TimesLIVE . 26 November 2020 . en-ZA . 17 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231017075852/https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-10-09-nadia-nakais-doccie-to-premiere-exclusively-on-showmax-next-week/ . live .
  19. Web site: Staff Reporter . Cassper Nyovest, Nadia Nakai and Tshego join Def Jam Africa . www.iol.co.za . 10 May 2022 . en . 10 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220510090020/https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/cassper-nyovest-nadia-nakai-and-tshego-join-def-jam-africa-48531145 . live .
  20. Web site: Burna Boy, Nasty C, Stonebwoy, Nadia Nakai & More Win 2019 AFRIMA Awards – OkayAfrica. Damola. Durosomo. 24 November 2019. OkayAfrica. 23 September 2021. 23 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210923184011/https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/full-list-of-afrima-awards-2019-winners-2641445187. live.
  21. Web site: Mabhena . Naledi . SA Style Awards 2020: Best and Worst Dressed Plus the Winners . Savanna News . 26 November 2020 . 23 November 2020 . 23 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210123113443/https://savannanews.com/sa-style-awards-2020-best-and-worst-dressed-plus-the-winners/ . live .
  22. Web site: Nadia Nakai Bags Second TV Show In The Same Month. John. Jabulani. Ubetoo. 17 March 2021. 10 October 2021. 10 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211010171030/https://www.ubetoo.com/news/nadia-nakai-bags-second-tv-show-in-the-same-month/. live.
  23. Web site: Candice Modiselle replaces Nadia Nakai as the new host for Gen Z season 2 Fakaza News. Fakaza News. Bukola. 27 October 2021. 27 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211027144745/https://fakazanews.com/2021/10/27/candice-modiselle-replaces-nadia-nakai-as-the-new-host-for-gen-z-season-2/. live.
  24. Web site: 'I am working on my own record label': Nadia Nakai on parting ways with Family Tree. Seemela. Masego. SowetanLIVE. 16 July 2021. 24 March 2022. 24 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220324093234/https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/s-mag/2021-07-16-i-am-working-on-my-own-record-label-nadia-nakai-on-parting-ways-with-family-tree/. live.
  25. Web site: Full list of 2021 SA Hip Hop Awards nominees Fakaza News. Bukola. Fakaza News. 2 November 2021. 11 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230411074742/https://fakazanews.com/2021/11/02/full-list-of-2021-sa-hip-hop-awards-nominees/. live.
  26. Web site: 'Young, Famous & African': Exclusive Q&A with Nadia Nakai. Naidoo. Alicia. The South African. 17 March 2022. 20 March 2022. 18 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220318121104/https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/young-famous-african-nadia-nakai-khanyi-mbau-netflix/. live.
  27. Web site: Interview With African Rap Queen Nadia Nakai. Youth Village Zimbabwe. 3 October 2018. 3 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181003221013/http://youthvillage.co.zw/2015/07/interview-with-african-rap-queen-nadia-nakai/. live.
  28. Maako . Keitumetse . Nadia Nakai on her relationship with AKA: 'God placed us together when we really needed each other' – Her crush has always been the local rapper Ukho Mabandla known as Ukay . 2023-04-09 . Life . 9 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230409161128/https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/celebrities/nadia-nakai-on-her-relationship-with-aka-god-placed-us-together-when-we-really-needed-each-other-20221209 . live .
  29. Web site: Nadia Nakai Scoops Her First Award. Nyamz. Kuda. SA Hip Hop Mag. 12 December 2016. 20 March 2022. 27 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230927145730/https://sahiphopmag.co.za/2016/12/nadia-nakai-scoops-first-award/. live.
  30. Web site: mytvnews.co.za. 26 November 2021. www.mytvnews.co.za. 26 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211126131055/http://www.mytvnews.co.za/metro-fm-awards-2016-winners-list/. live.
  31. Web site: All the winners from SAMA Awards 2018. 26 November 2021. www.gq.co.za. en. 22 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230322160315/https://www.gq.co.za/culture/entertainment/all-the-winners-from-sama-awards-2018-16564938. live.
  32. Web site: Dayile. Qhama. Here's the full list of the SAMA winners. 26 November 2021. Drum. 26 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211126131054/https://www.news24.com/drum/celebs/news/heres-the-full-list-of-the-sama-winners-20210731-3. live.
  33. Web site: 19 May 2021. Samas 27: Nominations are out and men are leading the nods. 26 November 2021. The Citizen. en. 26 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211126132555/https://www.citizen.co.za/lifestyle/2493919/samas-27-nominations-are-out-and-its-male-dominated/. live.
  34. Web site: The SA Hip-Hop Awards 2019 Nominees Are Revealed. 26 November 2021. slikouronlife.co.za. en. 26 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211126131054/https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/16632/at-sa-hiphopawards-reveals-the-nominees-for-the-sahha2019. live.
  35. Web site: FULL LIST: South African Hip-Hop Awards winners eNCA. 26 November 2021. www.enca.com. en. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107131839/https://www.enca.com/life/full-list-south-african-hip-hop-awards-winners. dead.
  36. Web site: 16 November 2020. Here are the South African Hip Hop Awards 2020 Nominees. 26 November 2021. OkayAfrica. en. 26 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211126131052/https://www.okayafrica.com/south-african-hip-hop-awards-2020-nominees/. live.
  37. Web site: 14 December 2020. Here Are the 2020 South African Hip Hop Awards Winners. 26 November 2021. OkayAfrica. en. 6 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211206022203/https://www.okayafrica.com/south-african-hip-hop-awards-2020-winners/. live.
  38. Web site: 3 November 2021. SA Hip Hop Awards 2021: All the nominees. 26 November 2021. Music In Africa. en. 28 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220328055827/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sa-hip-hop-awards-2021-all-nominees. live.

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