Aya Nakamura
{{Short description|French-Malian singer (born 1995)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Expand French|topic=bio|Aya Nakamura|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Aya Nakamura
| image = Aya Nakamura-23Sept2019.jpg
| alt = blurry image of Aya Nakamura wearing a black-and-yellow fitting dress that reveals left shoulder, standing onstage, grinning and looking right of camera
| caption = Nakamura in 2019
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|05|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bamako, Mali
| citizenship = {{hlist|Mali|France}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2014–present
| children = 2
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background = person
| origin = Paris, France
| instrument = Vocals
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|Afrobeats|zouk|R&B}}
| label = {{hlist|Rec. 118|Parlophone|Warner Music France}}
}}
}}
Aya Coco Danioko (born 10 May 1995), known professionally as Aya Nakamura, is a French-Malian singer-songwriter. She began publishing her music online, gaining a following with the songs "Karma" and "J'ai mal". Dembo Camara, a longtime friend, became her producer and manager. Her song "Brisé" garnered traction on YouTube, and a duet with rapper Fababy, "Love d'un voyou", resulted in her charting in France for the first time. She released her debut album, Journal intime, in 2017, followed in 2018 by Nakamura, which was certified diamond in France and has sold more than 1.2 million copies worldwide. The album spawned the hit singles "Djadja" and "Copines" and launched the singer's international career. The same year, she beat the record held by Édith Piaf since 1961 as the most-listened-to French-speaking female artist in the Netherlands.{{Cite web |date=11 May 2023 |title=Aya Nakamura, l'artiste française la plus écoutée à l'étranger |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/musique/20230511.OBS73195/aya-nakamura-l-artiste-francaise-la-plus-ecoutee-a-l-etranger.html |access-date=28 November 2023 |website=L'Obs |language=fr}}
Throughout her career, Nakamura has accumulated five number-one songs and a number-one album in France. She was awarded a Victoires de la Musique award for her 2020 album, Aya, which was certified double platinum in 2023,{{Cite web |title=Les certifications |url=https://snepmusique.com/les-certifications/ |access-date=28 November 2023 |website=SNEP |language=fr-FR}} having sold 200,000 copies. She also won an NRJ Music Award and received multiple nominations for the MTV Europe Music Award for Best French Act. Two years after its release, Nakamura surpassed a billion streams on Spotify, making the singer the most-listened-to French-language female artist on the platform.{{Cite web |date=19 May 2023 |title=Qui est vraiment Aya Nakamura, l'artiste francophone la plus écoutée dans le monde ? |url=https://www.rtl.fr/culture/musique/qui-est-vraiment-aya-nakamura-l-artiste-francophone-la-plus-ecoutee-dans-le-monde-7900266246 |access-date=28 November 2023 |website=www.rtl.fr |language=fr-FR}}
In February 2023, she became Lancôme's international beauty muse.{{Cite web |last=FR |first=FashionNetwork com |title=Lancôme choisit Aya Nakamura comme ambassadrice mondiale |url=https://fr.fashionnetwork.com/news/Lancome-choisit-aya-nakamura-comme-ambassadrice-mondiale,1487370.html |access-date=28 November 2023 |website=FashionNetwork.com |language=fr}}
On 23 February 2025, the video for Nakamura's single "Djadja" became the fourth French-language song to surpass one billion views on YouTube, behind Indila's "Dernière Danse", Stromae's "Papaoutai", and Willy William's "Ego". She is the first African musician to have a video with over one billion views, and she is the fastest French-speaking artist to reach this milestone in six years.{{Cite web |date=23 February 2025 |title=Aya Nakamura : le clip de son tube "Djadja" dépasse le milliard de vues sur YouTube et bat des records |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/people/musique/aya-nakamura-le-clip-de-son-tube-djadja-depasse-le-milliard-de-vues-sur-you-tube-et-bat-des-records_AN-202502230244.html |access-date=7 March 2025 |website=BFMTV |language=fr |trans-title=Aya Nakamura: the video for her hit "Djadja" exceeds one billion views on YouTube and breaks records}}
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Early life
Aya Coco Danioko was born in Bamako, Mali, on 10 May 1995. She comes from a family of griot, West African storytellers, praise singers, and poets of oral traditions. She emigrated to France with her family as a child and grew up in Aulnay-sous-Bois.{{cite web |last=Oyiri |first=Christelle |date=13 November 2018 |title=Aya Nakamura is flipping France's rigid rules, beautifully |url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/11/13/aya-nakamura-is-flipping-frances-rigid-rules-beautifully |access-date=24 January 2019 |website=The Fader}} She applied for French nationality as an adult and was granted it in May 2021.{{Cite web |date=21 November 2020 |title=Aya Nakamura : « On dit que je suis hautaine. Moi, je vois ça comme de l'assurance » |trans-title=Aya Nakamura: "They say I'm haughty. I see it as confidence" |first=Fabrice |last=Pliskin |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/culture/20201121.OBS36400/aya-nakamura-on-dit-que-je-suis-hautaine-moi-je-vois-ca-comme-de-l-assurance.html |access-date=28 November 2023 |website=L'Obs |language=fr}}{{Cite web |date=27 December 2020 |title=Aya Nakamura : « Je ne suis pas née en guerrière mentale ! » |trans-title=Aya Nakamura: "I wasn't born a mental warrior!" |url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/podcasts/femmes-puissantes/aya-nakamura-je-ne-suis-pas-nee-en-guerriere-mentale-comme-ca-non-8867979 |access-date=28 November 2023 |first=Léa |last=Salamé |website=France Inter |language=fr}} She is the oldest of five siblings.{{cite web|first=Elian|last=Peltier|url= https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/05/22/arts/music/15-european-pop-acts-who-matter-right-now.html|title=15 European Pop Acts You Might Not Know, but Should|date=22 May 2019|website=The New York Times|access-date=28 March 2024}}
Danioko studied fashion in La Courneuve. In a 2017 interview with Le Monde, she stated, "I wanted to be a fashion designer, but that stopped appealing to me, so I sang".{{Cite news |date=25 August 2017 |title=Aya Nakamura s'invite dans l'arène des musiques urbaines |trans-title=Aya Nakamura joins the urban music scene |language=fr |first=Marie |last=Zinck |work=Le Monde |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2017/08/25/aya-nakamura-s-invite-dans-l-arene-des-musiques-urbaines_5176453_3212.html |access-date=28 November 2023 |quote={{lang|fr|Je voulais être modéliste mais cela a cessé de me plaire, alors j'ai chanté}} }} She later launched into music under the stage name Aya Nakamura, after the character Hiro Nakamura of the American science fiction TV drama Heroes.{{cite web|first=Iman|last=Amrani|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jan/23/aya-nakamura-interview-french-afropop-reluctant-face-of-empowerment|title=Aya Nakamura: afropop's reluctant face of empowerment|date=23 January 2019|website=The Guardian|access-date=28 March 2024}}
Career
{{Prose|section|date=March 2024}}
=2014–2017: ''Journal intime''=
In 2014, at the age of 19, Nakamura released her first single, "Karma", on Facebook. With the help of producer Seysey, she composed the breakup song "J'ai mal", with a zouk-inspired melody.
In 2016, she made the song "Brisé" with composer Christopher Ghenda. She followed it with "Love d'un Voyou", featuring rapper Fababy. She performed at the Modibo-Keïta stadium in Bamako, opening for American-Nigerian star Davido.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
In January 2016, she signed a deal with Rec. 118 and Parlophone, a subsidiary of Warner Music France. The same year, she released the single "Super Héros", featuring rapper Gradur.
On 25 August 2017, she released her debut album, Journal intime, led by her first platinum hit, "Comportement". The record was certified platinum in France. On 23 September 2017, she participated in La Nuit du Mali at Bercy, in order to celebrate Malian Independence Day. She shared the stage with Oumou Sangaré and other Malian artists, such as Cheick Tidiane Seck, Lassana Hawa, and Mokobé.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rfi.fr/video/20170924-premiere-nuit-mali-electrise-accorhotels-arena-paris-bercy|title=La première Nuit du Mali électrise Paris-Bercy|last=René-worms|first=Pierre|date=24 September 2017|website=RFI|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927003442/http://www.rfi.fr:80/video/20170924-premiere-nuit-mali-electrise-accorhotels-arena-paris-bercy |archive-date=27 September 2017 }}
=2018–2020: ''Nakamura''=
On 6 April 2018, Nakamura released "Djadja"—the first single from her second album—which stayed two consecutive weeks at number one on the French charts and was later certified Diamond. Its music video reached a billion YouTube views in February 2025, making Nakamura the first female African artist to achieve such a feat.{{cite web|url=https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/aya-nakamuras-djadja-surpasses-one-billion-youtube-views-223238|title= Aya Nakamura's Djadja Surpasses One Billion YouTube Views|website=The Pinnacle Gazette|date=25 February 2025}}
The song became a hit in France as well as internationally. Nakamura became the first French female artist to reach number one in the Netherlands since Édith Piaf with "Non, je ne regrette rien", in 1961.{{cite news|url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/musique/2018/10/11/03006-20181011ARTFIG00167-aya-nakamura-l-europe-est-totalement-gaga-de-la-chanteuse-francaise-de-djadja.php|title=Aya Nakamura, l'Europe est totalement gaga de la chanteuse française de Djadja|last=Cannone|first=Robin|date=11 October 2018|work=Le Figaro|access-date=11 October 2018}}
"Djadja" was also the first Francophone song since 2009 to reach the top of the Dutch charts, the last one being "Alors on danse" by Belgian artist Stromae.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/entertainment/2448958/voor-het-eerst-in-8-jaar-franstalige-hit-op-1|title=Voor het eerst in 8 jaar Franstalige hit op 1|last=Redaction|first=team|date=17 August 2018|work=De Telegraaf}} "Djadja" then conquered charts and radios all over Europe.
Nakamura's next single was "Copines", released in August 2018. It entered at number four in France before climbing to number one in November 2018 and was also certified Diamond.
On 2 November 2018, Nakamura released her second album, Nakamura.
In January 2019, she won the European Music Moves Talent Award for Best Urban album.{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/content/music-moves-europe-talent-awards-2019-12-winners-selected_fr|title=Music Moves Europe Talent Awards 2019|website=European commission}}
In February 2019, she was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Urban Album at the France Music Awards.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
In April 2019, she released the video for "Pookie", which became the most-viewed French music video that year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrj.fr/artistes/aya-nakamura/actus/aya-nakamura-arrive-en-tete-des-videos-les-plus-vues-sur-youtube-en-2019-et-en-france-71327092|title=Aya Nakamura arrive en tête des vidéos les plus vues sur YouTube en 2019 et en France|date=6 December 2019|website=NRJ|access-date=7 January 2020|archive-date=11 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411092712/https://www.nrj.fr/artistes/aya-nakamura/actus/aya-nakamura-arrive-en-tete-des-videos-les-plus-vues-sur-youtube-en-2019-et-en-france-71327092|url-status=dead}} In August, she issued a remix of the song, featuring American rapper Lil Pump.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rfm.fr/news/Aya-Nakamura-devoile-le-remix-de-Pookie-avec-Lil-Pump-16857|title=Aya Nakamura dévoile le remix de Pookie avec Lil Pump|date=2 August 2019|website=RFM}}
In May 2019, she was portrayed by The New York Times as "one of the most important acts in Europe now, musically and socially".
In June 2019, she earned her first nomination at the BET Awards as Best International Act.{{Cite web|url=https://www.7television.fr/aya-nakamura-nominee-au-bet-awards/|title=Aya Nakamura nominée au BET Awards|date=17 May 2019|website=7 television}} {{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
In October, "Djadja" went Platinum in Spain{{cite web|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-canciones/2020/29|title=Top 100 Canciones: Semana 29|publisher=Productores de Música de España|access-date=21 July 2020}} and Portugal, while "Pookie" was certified double Platinum in Italy.
On 25 October 2019, Nakamura released a re-issue of the now double Platinum Nakamura, with five new songs, including the top-five single "40%".{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}
In the December year-end recaps, she was named Most Watched French female artist in 2019 by YouTube and Most Streamed French female artist in 2019 by Spotify.{{cite news|url=https://face2faceafrica.com/article/becoming-the-most-streamed-french-female-artist-in-france-and-the-world-meet-malian-born-star-aya-nakamura|title=Becoming the most-streamed French female artist in France and the world, meet Malian-born star Aya Nakamura|last=Mildred Europa|first=Taylor|date=12 December 2019|work=Face 2 Face Africa|access-date=12 December 2019}}
On 3 January 2020, she was announced to be perform at that year's Coachella Festival.{{Cite web |last=Pirard |first=Eloïse |date=3 January 2020 |title=Breaking news: Aya Nakamura sera à Coachella 2020 |url=https://www.elle.be/fr/292147-breaking-news-aya-nakamura-sera-a-coachella-2020.html |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=ELLE.be |language=fr-FR}}
On 12 June, Nakamura released a Spanish-language version of "Djadja", with Colombian singer Maluma.{{Citation |title=Aya Nakamura feat. Maluma – Djadja Remix (Music Video) | date=13 June 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA9vnURmvlw |access-date=7 July 2023}}
=2020–2021: ''Aya''=
On 17 July 2020, Nakamura released the single "Jolie nana", from her third studio album, Aya. It debuted at number one on the French singles chart{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} and achieved Gold status in two weeks.{{Cite tweet|number=1290179731610951680|user=snep|author=Le SNEP|title=Le titre "Jolie Nana" d'Aya Nakamura est certifié Single Or ! 15 000 000 équivalents streams|lang=fr|date=3 August 2020|access-date=17 February 2025}}
On 9 October, she issued the second single from the album, "Doudou". It peaked at number 6 in France, in the top 40 in Belgium, and number 16 on the UK Afrobeats chart.{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CH7cecHpAwH/ | title=Le SNEP on Instagram: 'Le Top Singles de la semaine est sorti ! 🎧 Classement complet 👉 lien en story 👉 Aya Nakamura place 6 titres de son nouvel album dans le Top 10 ! 👏' }}
Aya came out on 13 November and included collaborations with Stormzy, Ms Banks, and Oboy.
On 26 March 2021, Major Lazer released a deluxe edition of their album Music Is the Weapon containing the song "C'est cuit", which features Nakamura and Swae Lee.{{Cite web|date=4 May 2021|title=Diplo se confie sur sa collaboration avec Aya Nakamura!|trans-title=Diplo talks about his collaboration with Aya Nakamura!|url=https://www.nrj.fr/artistes/diplo/actus/diplo-se-confie-sur-sa-collaboration-avec-aya-nakamura-71353828|access-date=7 June 2024|website=NRJ|language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web|last=Rickman|first=Catherine|date=6 August 2021|title=Major Lazer Releases New Music Video for 'C'est Cuit' featuring Aya Nakamura|url=https://frenchly.us/major-lazer-releases-new-music-video-for-cest-cuit-featuring-aya-nakamura/|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Frenchly}} This was followed on 27 May by the non-album single "Bobo", which peaked at number three on the French singles chart.{{Cite web|title=Aya Nakamura – Bobo|url=https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Aya+Nakamura&titel=Bobo&cat=s|access-date=7 June 2024|website=SNEP|language=fr-FR}} Nakamura was also featured on French rapper Franglish's song "Sans moi", from his album Vibe. It was released as a single in August, and its music video reached one million views in 24 hours.{{Cite web|first=Clara|last=C.|date=|title=Franglish et Aya Nakamura chantent ensemble « Sans moi »|trans-title=Franglish and Aya Nakamura sing "Sans moi" together|url=https://www.nrj.fr/artistes/franglish/actus/franglish-et-aya-nakamura-chantent-ensemble-sans-moi-71354993|access-date=7 June 2024|website=NRJ|language=fr-FR}} Nakamura's image on the cover of Vogue France was chosen as the favourite magazine cover of 2021.{{cite magazine|first=Héloïse|last=Salessy|url=https://www.vogue.fr/mode/article/vogue-france-aya-nakamura-prix-meilleure-couverture-2021-relay-sepm|title=Aya Nakamura pour Vogue France est la couverture préférée des Français, c'est officiel !|trans-title=|magazine=Vogue France|date=2 June 2022|publisher=Condé Nast|language=fr-FR}}
=2022–present: ''DNK''=
Throughout 2022, Nakamura released three non-album singles: "Dégaine" featuring Damso, "Méchante", and "VIP".{{Cite web|first=Jérôme|last=Lachasse|date=7 January 2023|title=Aya Nakamura annonce la sortie de son prochain album, « DNK »|trans-title=Aya Nakamura announces the release of her next album DNK|url=https://www.bfmtv.com/people/musique/aya-nakamura-annonce-la-sortie-de-son-prochain-album-dnk_AN-202301070150.html|access-date=7 June 2024|website=BFM TV|language=fr-FR}} "Dégaine" debuted atop the French singles charts, while the other two reached the top 40.Chart positions:
- {{Cite web|title=Aya Nakamura feat. Damso – Dégaine|url=https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Aya+Nakamura+feat.+Damso&titel=D%E9gaine&cat=s|access-date=7 June 2024|website=SNEP|language=fr-FR}}
- {{Cite web|title=Aya Nakamura – Méchante|url=https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Aya+Nakamura&titel=M%E9chante&cat=s|access-date=7 June 2024|website=SNEP|language=fr-FR}}
- {{Cite web|title=Aya Nakamura – VIP|url=https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Aya+Nakamura&titel=VIP&cat=s|access-date=7 June 2024|website=SNEP|language=fr-FR}}
In October, Nakamura performed a virtual concert in the video game Fortnite, becoming the first French artist to do so.{{Cite web|first=Tifenn|last=Clinkemaillié|date=4 October 2022|title=Aya Nakamura débarque sur Fortnite pour un concert interactif|trans-title=Aya Nakamura arrives on Fortnite for a virtual concert|url=https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/hightech/aya-nakamura-debarque-sur-fortnite-pour-un-concert-interactif-1865821|access-date=7 June 2024|website=Les Échos|language=fr-FR}} This was followed by the release of "SMS" in December as the lead single from her fourth studio album, DNK.{{Cite web|first=S.|last=dlf.|date=2 December 2022|title=Aya Nakamura « SMS » : son nouveau single pour son ex|trans-title=Aya Nakamura's "SMS": her new single for her ex|url=https://www.nrj.fr/artistes/aya-nakamura/actus/aya-nakamura-sms-son-nouveau-single-pour-son-ex-71358321|access-date=8 June 2024|website=NRJ|language=fr-FR}} The album was released on 27 January 2023{{Cite web|first=Clara|last=C.|date=27 January 2023|title=Aya Nakamura se confie sur son album « DNK »|trans-title=Aya Nakamura talks about her album DNK|url=https://www.nrj.fr/artistes/aya-nakamura/actus/aya-nakamura-se-confie-sur-son-album-dnk-71358774|access-date=8 June 2024|website=NRJ|language=fr-FR}} and peaked atop the French albums chart for two consecutive weeks.{{Cite web|title=Aya Nakamura – DNK|url=https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Aya+Nakamura&titel=DNK&cat=a|access-date=7 June 2024|website=SNEP|language=fr-FR}} It was further promoted by two other singles, "Baby"{{Cite web|first=Carla|last=Loridan|date=17 August 2023|title=Aya Nakamura dévoile son nouveau single « Baby »|trans-title=Aya Nakamura releases her new single "Baby"|url=https://www.bfmtv.com/people/musique/aya-nakamura-devoile-son-nouveau-single-baby_AN-202301120622.html|access-date=8 June 2024|website=BFM TV|language=fr-FR}} and "Daddy", featuring SDM.{{Cite web|first=Benjamin|last=Pierret|date=4 May 2023|title=Aya Nakamura et SDM réunis dans le clip de « Daddy »|trans-title=Aya Nakamura and SDM reunite for the "Daddy" music video|url=https://www.bfmtv.com/people/musique/aya-nakamura-et-sdm-reunis-dans-le-clip-de-daddy_AN-202305040329.html|access-date=8 June 2024|website=BFM TV|language=fr-FR}} On 17 August, Nakamura surprise-released a deluxe version of DNK, featuring three additional songs.{{Cite web|first=Benjamin|last=Pierret|date=17 August 2023|title=Aya Nakamura dévoile trois nouveaux titres, annoncés par surprise|trans-title=Aya Nakamura surprise-releases three new songs|url=https://www.bfmtv.com/people/musique/aya-nakamura-devoile-trois-nouveaux-titres-annonces-par-surprise_AN-202308170585.html|access-date=7 June 2024|website=BFM TV|language=fr-FR}}
On 25 January 2024, she issued the single "Hypé".{{Cite web|first=Carla|last=Loridan|date=26 January 2024|title=Aya Nakamura dévoile son nouveau single « Hypé »|trans-title=Aya Nakamura releases her new single "Hypé"|url=https://www.bfmtv.com/people/musique/aya-nakamura-devoile-son-nouveau-single-hype_AN-202401260558.html|access-date=8 June 2024|website=BFM TV|language=fr-FR}} It was followed on 7 March by a remix in collaboration with Ayra Starr.{{Cite web|first=Thomas|last=Lapointe|date=8 March 2024|title=« Hypé » : Aya Nakamura dévoile son nouveau clip en compagnie de la star nigériane Ayra Starr|trans-title="Hypé": Aya Nakamura releases her new music video alongside Nigerian star Ayra Starr|url=https://www.laprovence.com/article/culture-loisirs/2686953484563915/hype-aya-nakamura-devoile-son-nouveau-clip-en-compagnie-de-la-star-nigeriane-ayra-starr|access-date=8 June 2024|website=La Provence|language=fr-FR}} At the second edition of the {{ill|Flammes Awards|fr|Les Flammes (récompense)}} in April 2024, she won three awards, the most wins of that year.{{Cite web|first=Albane|last=Guichard|date=26 April 2024|title=Aya Nakamura domine Les Flammes 2024 et rappelle la difficulté d'être « une femme noire de banlieue »|trans-title=Aya Nakamura dominates the Flammes Awards 2024 and reminds people of the difficulty of being "a black woman from the suburbs"|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/culture/article/aya-nakamura-domine-les-flammes-2024-et-rappelle-la-difficulte-d-etre-une-femme-noire-de-banlieue_233175.html|access-date=7 June 2024|website=HuffPost|language=fr-FR}} Following the releases of "Doggy", "Si Si" (with Morad), and "42", as well as her appearance alongside rappers SDM and SCH as a judge on the third season of Nouvelle École (France's equivalent of Rhythm + Flow),{{Cite web |last=v.schutz@numero.com |date=3 July 2024 |title=Nouvelle École : la saison 3 arrive sur Netflix avec Aya Nakamura |url=https://numero.com/culture/musique/nouvelle-ecole-que-vaut-le-tele-crochet-rap-de-netflix/ |access-date=8 March 2025 |website=Numéro |language=fr-FR}} on 26 July 2024, she performed at the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The performance created a viral sensation on social media, with especially her mashup of "Pookie" and Charles Aznavour's "For Me… Formidable" trending both within and outside of France..{{Cite web |title=Paris 2024 Olympics, Aya Nakamura on the Pont des Arts goes viral on social networks |url=https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/news/olympic-games-paris-2024/articles/317903-paris-2024-olympics-aya-nakamura-on-the-pont-des-arts-goes-viral-on-social-networks |access-date=8 March 2025 |website=sortiraparis.com}}
In February 2025, she released the single "Chimiyé".{{Cite web |last=Leroy |first=Alice |date=21 February 2025 |title=Aya Nakamura is back with "Chimiyé", an explosive track with Alpha Wann and Doums – Interview |url=https://entrevue.fr/en/aya-nakamura-frappe-fort-avec-chimiye-et-sentoure-dalpha-wann-et-doums/ |access-date=8 March 2025}}
Artistry
Nakamura's music draws on genres such as pop, R&B, zouk, and Afrobeats, with Shamira Ibrahim of Pitchfork calling her "fearlessly genre-bending".{{cite web|first=Shamira|last=Ibrahim|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/aya-nakamura-aya/|title=Aya Nakamura: AYA Album Review|date=|website=Pitchfork|access-date=28 March 2024}} She writes her own lyrics,{{cite web|first=Rokhaya|last=Diallo|author-link=Rokhaya Diallo|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/mar/19/aya-nakamura-black-woman-france-paris-olympics|title=Aya Nakamura is a proud Black woman. Is that why she's not 'French enough' for the Paris Olympics?|date=19 March 2024|website=The Guardian|access-date=28 March 2024}} which are in French and make frequent use of argot as well as expressions borrowed from other languages such as English, Arabic, and Bambara. Due to her family's background, she has sometimes been described as continuing the griot tradition, but she argues that her work is different.
Public image
Le Figaro has described Nakamura as a polarising figure in France.{{cite web|url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/aya-nakamura-erigee-en-ambassadrice-de-la-langue-francaise-par-un-depute-lrem-20201119|title=Aya Nakamura érigée en ambassadrice de la langue française par un député LREM|trans-title=Aya Nakamura heralded as an ambassador of the French language by a LREM deputy|date=19 November 2020|website=Le Figaro|language=fr-FR|access-date=28 March 2024}} Her lyrics in particular have been the subject of much debate in the country. Detractors consider that her use of slang devalues the French language, with some, such as far-right commentator and politician Éric Zemmour, calling her lyrics "a foreign language". On the other hand, linguists tend to defend her work; they view it as part of the broader tradition of French poetry and songwriting that helps keep the language alive.{{cite web|first=Yves|last=Jaeglé|url=https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/musique/aya-nakamura-vue-par-des-linguistes-des-gens-auraient-aussi-crie-que-piaf-ne-representait-pas-la-france-14-03-2024-Z6FYPRIEQVB4NGWUNTI7F3LZZA.php|title=Aya Nakamura vue par des linguistes : « Des gens auraient aussi crié que Piaf ne représentait pas la France »|trans-title=Aya Nakamura as seen by linguists: "Some people would also have screamed that Piaf did not represent France"|date=14 March 2024|website=Le Parisien|language=fr-FR|access-date=28 March 2024|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240314161533/https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/musique/aya-nakamura-vue-par-des-linguistes-des-gens-auraient-aussi-crie-que-piaf-ne-representait-pas-la-france-14-03-2024-Z6FYPRIEQVB4NGWUNTI7F3LZZA.php|archive-date=14 March 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Corinne|last=Mencé-Caster|url=https://theconversation.com/djadja-cause-bien-francais-ou-pourquoi-aya-nakamura-represente-aussi-la-pluralite-de-la-france-226031|title=« Djadja » cause bien français ou pourquoi Aya Nakamura représente aussi la pluralité de la France|trans-title="Djadja" does indeed speak French or why Aka Nakamura also represents the plurality of France|date=19 March 2024|website=The Conversation|language=fr-FR|access-date=28 March 2024}} In November 2020, deputy Rémy Rebeyrotte of the centrist party Renaissance cited Nakamura during his argument in favour of a law that would ban discrimination based on accent in France, saying that the way she "reinvents" French expressions is "remarkable".{{cite web|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/politique/institutions/assemblee-nationale/remarquable-un-depute-lrem-loue-aya-nakamura-qui-reinvente-des-expressions-francaises-7058412|title=« Remarquable », un député LREM loue Aya Nakamura qui « réinvente » des « expressions françaises »|trans-title="Remarkable", a LREM deputy praises Aya Nakamura who "reinvents French expressions"|date=20 November 2020|website=Ouest-France|language=fr-FR|access-date=28 March 2024}} Nakamura herself has expressed frustration over constantly being asked to explain the meaning of her lyrics and believes that this may be related to misogyny, as "there are [male] rappers who invent much worse" in her opinion.{{cite web|first=Maxime|last=Birken|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/culture/article/aya-nakamura-est-lassee-de-devoir-expliquer-ses-paroles_139920.html|title=Aya Nakamura est lassée de devoir expliquer ses paroles|trans-title=Aya Nakamura is tired of having to explain her lyrics|date=7 February 2019|website=HuffPost|location=France|language=fr-FR|access-date=28 March 2024}} She has stated that "there are lots of people who speak like me and young people who understand".{{cite web|first=Pauline|last=Boucher|url=https://www.voici.fr/tele/elle-ecrit-nimporte-quoi-aya-nakamura-critiquee-sur-ses-chansons-elle-repond-dans-quotidien-748854|title=« Elle écrit n'importe quoi » : Aya Nakamura critiquée sur ses chansons, elle répond dans Quotidien|trans-title="She writes nonsense": Aya Nakamura, criticised about her songs, responds in Quotidien|date=2 February 2023|website=Voici|language=fr-FR|access-date=28 March 2024}}
Nakamura is also known for her "boastful" and "unapologetic" persona, which has been compared to that of artists such as Rihanna and Cardi B. This has earned her accusations of being haughty, which she countered with "I see it as confidence". Rokhaya Diallo wrote in The Guardian that her persona "may be why she draws such a hostile reaction in a country that tends to demand humility and gratitude from minorities". Conversely, she has been described as a symbol of empowerment, particularly for black women. Malian singer Oumou Sangaré has praised the way that Nakamura "built a name for herself in a male-dominated world" and considers her an inspiration for young people, while French fashion designer Simon Porte Jacquemus, who has worked with Nakamura, views her as representative of her generation, "whether ... men or women, black or not". Her song "Djadja" has frequently been quoted in demonstrations against sexist violence in France. Although she does not view her work as feminist, she has said that she is "happy if [her] songs speak for themselves".
=2024 Paris Olympics=
A few months before the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, there was speculation that Nakamura would perform at the opening ceremony.{{cite web|first=Benjamin|last=Dodman|url=https://www.france24.com/en/culture/20240315-racist-attacks-aya-nakamura-france-paris-olympics-opening-ceremony-edith-piaf-djadja|title=Racist attacks on pop star Aya Nakamura test France's ability to shine at Paris Olympics|date=15 March 2024|website=France 24|access-date=23 March 2024}} This led to protests, especially from the far right, including a banner by Les Natifs (a splinter group of Les Identitaires) that read, "There's no way, Aya. This is Paris, not the Bamako market."{{cite web|first=Katy|last=Dartford|url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2024/03/21/not-french-enough-aya-nakamuras-rumoured-olympics-show-prompts-far-right-backlash|title=Not French enough: Aya Nakamura's rumoured Olympics show prompts far-right backlash|date=21 March 2024|website=Euronews|language=en|access-date=23 March 2024}}{{cite web|first=G.|last=G.|url=https://www.bfmtv.com/paris/qui-sont-les-natifs-ce-groupe-d-ultradroite-parisien-a-l-origne-de-la-banderole-raciste-contre-aya-nakamura_AN-202403170203.html|title=Qui sont Les Natifs, ce groupe d'ultradroite parisien à l'origine de la banderole raciste contre Aya Nakamura?|trans-title=Who are Les Natifs, the far-right group from Paris behind the racist banner against Aya Nakamura?|date=17 March 2024|website=BFM TV|language=fr-FR|access-date=23 March 2024}} Politician Marine Le Pen, the former president of the National Rally, also criticised the rumoured decision, deeming it a "provocation" and a "humiliation" on Macron's part.{{Cite web|first=Eloïse|last=Cimbidhi|url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/aya-nakamura-aux-jo-marine-le-pen-y-voit-une-tentative-d-humilier-le-peuple-francais-20240320|title=Aya Nakamura aux JO : Marine Le Pen y voit une tentative d' « humilier le peuple français »|trans-title=Aya Nakamura at the Olympics: Marine Le Pen sees an attempt to "humiliate the French people"|date=20 March 2024|website=Le Figaro|language=fr-FR|access-date=3 April 2024}} The backlash was described as racist by French politicians and public figures as well as by international media.{{cite web|first1=Angelique|last1=Chrisafis|first2=Anissa|last2=Rami|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/16/aya-nakamura-the-pop-superstar-at-the-centre-of-a-paris-olympic-racism-storm|title=Aya Nakamura, the pop superstar at the centre of a Paris Olympic racism storm|date=16 March 2024|website=The Guardian|access-date=23 March 2024}} In response, Nakamura received support from the Paris 2024 committee and others, including French Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra and Minister of Culture Rachida Dati.{{cite web|first1=Gabrielle|last1=Nolin|first2=Daniel|last2=Arkin|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/olympics/french-officials-investigate-racist-attacks-pop-star-aya-nakamura-rcna143604|title=French officials investigate racist attacks on pop star Aya Nakamura|date=15 March 2024|website=NBC News|access-date=23 March 2024}} According to an {{ill|Odoxa|fr}} poll, 63% of French people disapproved of Nakamura performing at the Olympics.{{Cite web|first=Marc|last=Fourny|url=https://www.lepoint.fr/people/aya-nakamura-pour-chanter-aux-jo-ce-qu-en-pensent-les-francais-12-03-2024-2554806_2116.php|title=Aya Nakamura pour chanter aux JO : ce qu'en pensent les Français|trans-title=Aya Nakamura to sing at the Olympics: what French people think|date=12 March 2024|website=Le Point|language=fr-FR|access-date=8 June 2024}}
On 15 March, an investigation into racist online posts towards Nakamura was opened following complaints filed by the LICRA and SOS Racisme.{{cite web|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2024/03/15/french-court-investigates-racist-backlash-against-aya-nakamura-at-paris-olympics_6622833_7.html|title=Investigation opened after racist backlash against Aya Nakamura singing at Olympics|date=15 March 2024|website=Le Monde|access-date=23 March 2024}} Nakamura herself responded to the backlash with a social media post stating, "You can be racist but not deaf... That's what hurts you! I'm becoming a number 1 state subject in debates... but what do I really owe you? Nada." This was followed by another post thanking those who had supported her, "especially my community". In April, Macron stated that Nakamura "speaks to a good number of our fellow citizens" and that he thought she was "absolutely in her rightful place in an opening or closing ceremony".{{Cite web|url=https://www.leparisien.fr/jo-paris-2024/jo-paris-2024-aya-nakamura-a-tout-a-fait-sa-place-a-la-ceremonie-douverture-assure-emmanuel-macron-04-04-2024-MZGMCHCIAJB75I2A3I66X7NON4.php|title=Aya Nakamura a « tout à fait sa place » à la cérémonie d'ouverture des JO, assure Emmanuel Macron|trans-title=Aya Nakamura "is absolutely in her rightful place" at the Olympics opening ceremony, Emmanuel Macron affirms|date=4 April 2024|website=Le Parisien|language=fr-FR|access-date=13 April 2024}}{{Cite web|first=Angelique|last=Chrisafis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/apr/04/emmanual-macron-aya-nakamura-olympic-games-opening-ceremony|title=Macron supports Aya Nakamura singing at Olympics after racist backlash|date=4 April 2024|website=The Guardian|access-date=13 April 2024}}
At the opening ceremony on 26 July, Nakamura performed a medley of her songs "Pookie" and "Djadja" with Charles Aznavour's "{{ill|For me formidable|fr}}", from his 1963 album Qui ?, accompanied by the French Republican Guard.{{cite news|first=Samantha|last=Chery|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2024/07/26/aya-nakamura-olympics-opening-ceremony-singer/|title=Who is Aya Nakamura, the Opening Ceremonies singer?|date=26 July 2024|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=27 July 2024}}
Personal life
Nakamura is Muslim.{{cite AV media|people=Achour, Mouloud (interviewer); Nakamura, Aya (interviewee)|date=10 November 2020|title=Aya Nakamura : « L'Islam est une religion de paix »|trans-title=Aya Nakamura: "Islam is a religion of peace"|type=video|language=fr-FR|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DcZaLDQBA4|time=1:02|publisher=Clique TV|access-date=24 March 2024}} Since 2019, she has supported the ALIYAH association, created by the parents of a young girl suffering from hemolytic-uremic syndrome.{{Cite web |date=3 February 2021 |title=Aya Nakamura |url=https://blaque.fr/fiches/tout-ce-quil-faut-savoir-sur/aya-nakamura |access-date=28 November 2023 |website=Blaque |language=fr-FR}}
Nakamura gave birth to her first child, a daughter, in 2016.{{cite AV media|people=Bengoua, Siham (interviewer); Nakamura, Aya (interviewee)|date=8 November 2016|title=Aya Nakamura : « Je suis maman depuis 6 mois ! » |trans-title=Aya Nakamura: "I've been a mum for six months!"|type=video|language=fr-FR|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az3wxRBiDAE|time=10:58|publisher=Siham TV|access-date=23 March 2024}} She has declined to share the father's identity.{{cite web|first=Sonia|last=dlf.|url=https://www.nrj.fr/artistes/aya-nakamura/actus/aya-nakamura-en-couple-elle-officialise-avec-son-producteur-vladimir-boudnikoff-71346563|title=Aya Nakamura en couple! Elle officialise avec son producteur Vladimir Boudnikoff|trans-title=Aya Nakamura confirms her relationship with her producer Vladimir Boudnikoff!|date=19 October 2020|website=NRJ|language=fr-FR|access-date=23 March 2024}} In 2019, she was in a brief relationship with her "Sucette" collaborator Niska. She has accused him of domestic violence and expressed regret over not pressing charges.{{cite web|first=Fabrice|last=Pliskin|url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/musique/20240530.OBS89071/pourquoi-booba-a-raison-de-rappeler-que-niska-a-tabasse-aya-nakamura.html|title=Pourquoi Booba a raison de rappeler que « Niska a tabassé Aya Nakamura » |trans-title=Why Booba is right to remind people that "Niska beat up Aya Nakamura"|date=30 May 2024|website=L'Obs|access-date=8 June 2024|language=fr-FR}} In October 2020, she confirmed her relationship with music video producer Vladimir Boudnikoff, with whom she had worked previously. Their daughter was born in January 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/musique/la-chanteuse-aya-nakamura-annonce-la-naissance-de-son-deuxieme-enfant-06-01-2022-CS3ZYPJRBJDA7JF7I2Q33Z5NPE.php|title=La chanteuse Aya Nakamura annonce la naissance de son deuxième enfant|trans-title=Singer Aya Nakamura announces the birth of her second child|date=6 January 2022|website=Le Parisien|language=fr-FR|access-date=23 March 2024}} After an incident in August of the same year, Nakamura announced the couple's separation in October.{{cite web|first=|last=|url=https://www.voici.fr/news-people/aya-nakamura-la-chanteuse-confirme-sa-rupture-avec-vladimir-boudnikoff-apres-deux-ans-de-relation-741006|title=Aya Nakamura : la chanteuse confirme sa rupture avec Vladimir Boudnikoff après deux ans de relation|trans-title=Aya Nakamura: the singer confirms her separation from Vladimir Boudnikoff after two years of relationship|date=18 October 2022|website=Voici|language=fr-FR|access-date=23 March 2024}} Both Nakamura and Boudnikoff were charged with reciprocal domestic violence in relation to the events of August 2022. On 23 February 2023, a Bobigny judge ruled that Nakamura had to pay a €10,000 fine, while Boudnikoff had to pay €5,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/societe/justice/aya-nakamura-condamnee-a-10-000-d-amende-pour-violences-reciproques-son-ex-conjoint-a-5-000-f1b13f60-b356-11ed-84bc-d9a7b26c7afb|title=Aya Nakamura condamnée à 10 000 € d'amende pour violences réciproques, son ex-conjoint à 5 000 €|trans-title=Aya Nakamura sentenced to €10,000 fine for reciprocal domestic violence, her ex to €5,000|date=23 February 2023|website=Ouest-France|language=fr-FR|access-date=23 March 2024}}
Discography
=Albums=
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
==As featured artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ {{Sronly|List of singles as featured artists, with selected chart positions and certifications}} ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| FRA ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| BEL |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Love d'un voyou" {{small|(Fababy featuring Aya Nakamura)}} | 2015 | 9 || 37* | | |
| scope="row"| "Sorry" {{small|(Abou Debeing featuring Aya Nakamura)}} | 2016 | 188 || — | | |
| scope="row"| "Bad Boy" {{small|(Fally Ipupa featuring Aya Nakamura)}} | rowspan="2"| 2017 | 68 || — | | |
| scope="row"| "Moi je vérifie" {{small|(Naza featuring Dadju and Aya Nakamura)}} | 171 || — | | |
| scope="row"| "Pourquoi tu forces" {{small|(DJ Erise featuring Aya Nakamura)}} | rowspan="2"| 2018 | 177 || — | | |
| scope="row"| "Comme ci comme ça" {{small|(Tour 2 Garde featuring Aya Nakamura)}} | — || — | | |
| scope="row"| "C'est cuit" {{small|(Major Lazer featuring Aya Nakamura and Swae Lee)}} | 2021 | 72 || — | |
| colspan="14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts
=Other charted and certified songs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! colspan="4" scope="col" | Peak positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certification ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| FRA ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| BEL ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWI !SPA |
| scope="row"| "Oublier"
| 2016 | 96 || — || — |— | | rowspan="7"| Journal intime |
| scope="row"| "Fuego" {{small|(featuring Dadju)}} | rowspan="6"| 2017 | 85 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "J'ai mal (Part 2)"
| 18 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Problèmes" {{small|(featuring MHD)}} | 118 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Jalousie" {{small|(featuring Lartiste)}} | 121 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Karma"
| 146 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Orphelin" {{small|(featuring KeBlack)}} | 151 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "La dot"
| rowspan="11"| 2018 | 3 || 32 || 71 |— | | rowspan="10"| Nakamura |
| scope="row"| "Sucette" {{small|(featuring Niska)}} | 4 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Oula"
| 5 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Pompom"
| 8 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Ça fait mal"
| 13 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Whine Up"
| 15 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Gangster"
| 18 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Faya"
| 21 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Gang" {{small|(featuring Davido)}} | 35 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Dans ma bulle"
| 40 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Cadeau" {{small|(featuring Naza)}} | 171 || — || 60 |— | | |
| scope="row"| "40%"
| rowspan="3"| 2019 | 4 || 30 || — |— | | rowspan="3"| Nakamura (Deluxe Edition) |
| scope="row"| "Claqué"
| 45 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Idiot"
| 65 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Plus jamais" {{small|(featuring Stormzy)}} | rowspan="13"| 2020 | 1 || 36 || 24 |— | | rowspan="13"| Aya |
| scope="row"| "Tchop"
| 7 || — || 62 |— | |
| scope="row"| "Préféré" {{small|(featuring Oboy)}} | 4 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Fly"
| 8 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Sentiments grandissants"
| 9 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Love de moi"
| 13 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Biff"
| 14 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Nirvana"
| 17 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Ça blesse"
| 18 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Hot"
| 19 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "La machine"
| 21 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Mon chéri"
| 27 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Mon lossa" {{small|(featuring Ms Banks)}} | 28 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Ailleurs"
| 2021 | 124 || — || — |— | | 20/21 |
| scope="row"| "Cadeau" {{small|(featuring Tiakola)}} | rowspan="13" | 2023 | 4 || 47 || — |— | | rowspan="13" | DNK |
| scope="row"| "Daddy"
| 6 || — || 99 |— | |
| scope="row"| "Chacun" {{small|(featuring Kim)}} | 25 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Corazon"
| 27 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Tous les jours"
| 37 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "T'as peur"
{{small|(featuring Myke Towers)}} | 38 || — || — |29 | |
| scope="row"| "Beleck"
| 39 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Coller"
| 51 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Haut niveau"
| 56 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Le goût"
| 59 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Bloqué"
| 80 || — || — |— | |
| scope="row"| "Bisous"
|62 |— |— |— | |
| scope="row"| "Chérie"
|23 |— |— |— | |
| colspan=14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Tours
=Headlining=
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Award ! Category ! scope="col" | Work ! scope="col" | Result |
|---|
| 2018
|W9 D'OR | rowspan=8 | Herself |{{Won}} |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=12|2019
|Music Moves Europe Talent Awards |{{Won}} |
| MTV Europe Music Awards
|Best French Act |{{Nom}} |
| BET Awards
| Best International Act | {{Nom}} |
| rowspan=6|All Africa Music Awards
| Best Francophone | {{Nom}} |
| Artist of the Year
| {{Nom}} |
| Crossing Boundaries with Music Award
| {{Nom}} |
| Best Female West Africa{{cite web |last1=Damola |first1=Durosomo |title=Here are the 2019 AFRIMMA Nominees |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/here-are-the-2019-afrimma-nominees-burna-boy-wizkid/ |website=OkayAfrica |access-date=8 August 2019 |date=7 August 2019}}
| {{Nom}} |
| Best Collaboration
|"Sucette" (feat. Niska) |{{Nominated}} |
| Song of the Year
| rowspan=3 | "Pookie" |{{Nominated}} |
| rowspan=3 |NRJ Music Awards
| Francophone Song of the Year | {{Nominated}} |
| Francophone Performance of the Night
|{{Nominated}} |
| Francophone Female Artist
| Herself | {{Nominated}} |
| rowspan="2" |2020
|MTV Europe Music Awards |Best French Act{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} | Herself | {{Nominated}} |
| NRJ Music Awards
|Francophone Female Artist of the Year | Herself |{{Won}} |
| 2021
|Artist of the Year (France){{Cite web|title=Apple announces third annual Apple Music Award winners|url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/11/apple-announces-third-annual-apple-music-award-winners/|access-date=30 November 2021|website=Apple Newsroom}} |Herself |{{won}} |
| rowspan="1" |2023
|Prize for Music |rowspan="1" |Herself |{{pending}} |
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Aya Nakamura}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nakamura, Aya}}
Category:21st-century French women singers
Category:Black French musicians
Category:French people of Malian descent
Category:Musicians from Bamako
Category:Musicians from Seine-Saint-Denis
Category:Naturalized citizens of France