Nadia Nakai

Nakai was born in South Africa. Her father is South African and her mother is Zimbabwean.{{cite web|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/entertainment/celebrity-news/2287589/8-fun-facts-you-may-not-know-about-nadia-nakai/|title=8 fun facts you may not know about Nadia Nakai|date=19 May 2020|access-date=20 March 2022|work=The Citizen|last=Sekhu|first=Michael|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=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/|url-status=live}} When she was 16 years old, her surname was changed from her father's to her mother's.{{cite web|url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/nadia-nakai-joins-casspers-record-label/|title=Nadia Nakai joins Cassper's record label|work=The Chronicle|date=20 February 2016|access-date=20 March 2022|archive-date=20 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320132001/https://www.chronicle.co.zw/nadia-nakai-joins-casspers-record-label/|url-status=live}}

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.

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".{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/sid-records/nadia-nakai-like-me|title=Nadia Nakai "Like Me" by Sid Records|website=SoundCloud|access-date=3 May 2019|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503143806/https://soundcloud.com/sid-records/nadia-nakai-like-me|url-status=live}} The following year, she was featured on the remix of Riky Rick song, Amantombazane amongst various South African acts.{{cite web|url=http://pltfrm.co.za/track-of-the-day-riky-rick-amantombazane-remix/|title=Track of the Day: Riky Rick – Amantombazane (Remix)|website=Platform|access-date=3 May 2019|archive-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303191041/http://pltfrm.co.za/track-of-the-day-riky-rick-amantombazane-remix/|url-status=dead}} As for June 2015, Nakai released her third single "Saka Wena" featuring rapper Ice Prince, following her second single, "Whatever" featuring DotCom and Psyfo.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/za/album/saka-wena-feat-ice-prince-single/971718993|title=Saka Wena (feat. Ice Prince) – Single by Nadia Nakai|website=Apple Music|access-date=3 May 2019|archive-date=17 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017075823/https://music.apple.com/za/album/saka-wena-feat-ice-prince-single/971718993|url-status=live}}

In August 2016, Nakai pre-released her single "The Man" featuring Cassper Nyovest from her EP, Bragga.{{cite web|url=http://www.sahiphopmag.co.za/2016/08/new-release-nadia-nakai-the-man-ft-cassper-nyovest/|title=New Release: Nadia Nakai – The Man [ft Cassper Nyovest]|website=SA Hip Hop Mag|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003220914/https://sahiphopmag.co.za/2016/08/new-release-nadia-nakai-the-man-ft-cassper-nyovest/|url-status=live}} Bragga was then released on 15 September 2016. In November 2017, Nakai released her critically acclaimed single "Naaa Meaan" featuring Cassper Nyovest.{{cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-life/tshisa-life/2017-11-02/-twitter-gives-nadia-nakais-new-track-a-thumbs-up/|title=Twitter gives Nadia Nakai's new track a thumbs up|website=TimesLive}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/pic-of-the-day/2018-11-07-nadia-nakai-served-mzansi-sauce-at-the-mtv-emas/|title=Nadia Nakai served Mzansi sauce at the MTV EMAs|website=SowetanLIVE|access-date=3 May 2019|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=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/|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Nakai co-hosted the MTV Base hip hop show, Yo! MTV Raps South Africa alongside television presenter Siyabonga Ngwekazi.{{cite web|url=https://www.bona.co.za/nadia-nakai-and-siyabonga-ngwekazi-to-host-yo-mtv-raps-africa/|title=Nadia Nakai and Siyabonga Ngwekazi to host Yo! MTV Raps Africa|website=BONA|access-date=3 May 2019|archive-date=20 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420202012/https://www.bona.co.za/nadia-nakai-and-siyabonga-ngwekazi-to-host-yo-mtv-raps-africa/|url-status=dead}} On 3 May 2019, Nakai confirmed that her debut album Nadia Naked would be released on 28 June 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/nadia-nakai-new-album-nadia-naked-release-date/|title=Nadia Nakai new album: 'Nadia Naked' gets a release date|website=The South African|access-date=3 May 2019|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503143814/https://www.thesouthafrican.com/nadia-nakai-new-album-nadia-naked-release-date/|url-status=live}} On 18 May 2019, "Imma Boss" was released as the third single accompanied by the album's artwork cover.{{cite web|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/nadia-nakai-imma-boss-single/|title=Nadia Nakai Drops Quotable After Another In Her New Single 'Imma Boss'|website=OkayAfrica|access-date=18 May 2019|archive-date=18 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518104643/https://www.okayafrica.com/nadia-nakai-imma-boss-single/|url-status=live}} On 15 October 2020, she released a documentary on Showmax about the making of the album Nadia Naked.{{cite web |last1=Seemela |first1=Masego |title=Nadia Nakai's doccie to premiere exclusively on Showmax next week |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-10-09-nadia-nakais-doccie-to-premiere-exclusively-on-showmax-next-week/ |website=TimesLIVE |access-date=26 November 2020 |language=en-ZA |archive-date=17 October 2023 |archive-url=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/ |url-status=live }} In May 2020, she signed a record deal with Def Jam Africa.{{cite web |author=Staff Reporter |title=Cassper Nyovest, Nadia Nakai and Tshego join Def Jam Africa |url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/cassper-nyovest-nadia-nakai-and-tshego-join-def-jam-africa-48531145 |website=www.iol.co.za |access-date=10 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }}

At the 6th ceremony of AFRIMA, she took-home Best Female Artist award.{{cite web|title=Burna Boy, Nasty C, Stonebwoy, Nadia Nakai & More Win 2019 AFRIMA Awards – OkayAfrica|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/full-list-of-afrima-awards-2019-winners-2641445187|first=Damola|last=Durosomo|date=24 November 2019|work=OkayAfrica|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923184011/https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/full-list-of-afrima-awards-2019-winners-2641445187|url-status=live}} She was awarded the most stylish performing artist at the 2020 SA Style Awards.{{cite web |last1=Mabhena |first1=Naledi |title=SA Style Awards 2020: Best and Worst Dressed Plus the Winners |url=https://savannanews.com/sa-style-awards-2020-best-and-worst-dressed-plus-the-winners/ |website=Savanna News |access-date=26 November 2020 |date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123113443/https://savannanews.com/sa-style-awards-2020-best-and-worst-dressed-plus-the-winners/ |url-status=live }}

In 2021, Nakai hosted the first season of Channel O's Gen-Z South Africa television show.{{cite web|url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/nadia-nakai-bags-second-tv-show-in-the-same-month/|title=Nadia Nakai Bags Second TV Show In The Same Month|first=John|last=Jabulani|work=Ubetoo|date=17 March 2021|access-date=10 October 2021|archive-date=10 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010171030/https://www.ubetoo.com/news/nadia-nakai-bags-second-tv-show-in-the-same-month/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Candice Modiselle replaces Nadia Nakai as the new host for Gen Z season 2 {{!}} Fakaza News|url=https://fakazanews.com/2021/10/27/candice-modiselle-replaces-nadia-nakai-as-the-new-host-for-gen-z-season-2/|publisher=Fakaza News|last=Bukola|access-date=27 October 2021|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=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/|url-status=live}} In June 2021, she left Family Tree Records to pursue her own label.{{cite web|title='I am working on my own record label': Nadia Nakai on parting ways with Family Tree|url=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/|last=Seemela|first=Masego|work=SowetanLIVE|date=16 July 2021|access-date=24 March 2022|archive-date=24 March 2022|archive-url=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/|url-status=live}} At the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards, Nakai received a nomination for Artist of the Decade.{{cite web|title=Full list of 2021 SA Hip Hop Awards nominees {{!}} Fakaza News|url=https://fakazanews.com/2021/11/02/full-list-of-2021-sa-hip-hop-awards-nominees/|last=Bukola|publisher=Fakaza News|access-date=2 November 2021|archive-date=11 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411074742/https://fakazanews.com/2021/11/02/full-list-of-2021-sa-hip-hop-awards-nominees/|url-status=live}}

In 2022, Nakai appeared on the Netflix original reality show Young, Famous & African.{{cite web|url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/young-famous-african-nadia-nakai-khanyi-mbau-netflix/|title='Young, Famous & African': Exclusive Q&A with Nadia Nakai|last=Naidoo|first=Alicia|work=The South African|date=17 March 2022|access-date=20 March 2022|archive-date=18 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318121104/https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/young-famous-african-nadia-nakai-khanyi-mbau-netflix/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.youthvillage.co.zw/2015/07/interview-with-african-rap-queen-nadia-nakai/|title=Interview With African Rap Queen Nadia Nakai|website=Youth Village Zimbabwe|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003221013/http://youthvillage.co.zw/2015/07/interview-with-african-rap-queen-nadia-nakai/|url-status=live}}

She was in a relationship with the late South African rapper AKA.{{Cite magazine |last=Maako |first=Keitumetse |title=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 |url=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 |access-date=2023-04-09 |magazine=Life |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }}

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Category:Living people

Category:1990 births

Category:South African women rappers

Category:South African songwriters

Category:South African hip-hop musicians

Category:Monash University alumni

Category:South African people of Zimbabwean descent

Category:English-language singers from South Africa

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