Nyanda
{{short description|American singer-songwriter}}
{{Use Jamaican English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Nyanda
| image = Nyanda Janelle Thorbourne, 2014 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Nyanda, in 2014
| birth_name = Nyanda Janelle Thorbourne
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|4|15}}
| birth_place = Kingston, Jamaica
| genre = Reggae, dancehall, reggae fusion
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Singer
- songwriter
- rapper
}}
| years_active = 2004–present
| label = Cat Music,[https://www.protv.ro/divertisment/cel-mai-bun-dj-al-americii-markus-schulz-s-a-casatorit-cu-iubita-romanca.html Cel mai bun DJ al Americii, Markus Schulz, s-a căsătorit cu iubita româncă] Tropic Electric, BlackLion Music, Pink Scorpion
| associated_acts = Brick & Lace, The Kemist, Akon, Wisin & Yandel, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Scherzinger, Arash, F.eU
| website = {{URL|www.officialnyanda.com/}}
}}
Nyanda Janelle Thorbourne, better known by her stage name/mononym Nyanda, is a Jamaican-American singer and songwriter from Kingston, Jamaica. Nyanda is a member of the R&B/reggae duo Brick & Lace whose debut album, Love Is Wicked, was released through Geffen / Kon Live in 2007 and featured the chart-topping single "Love Is Wicked".
In February 2013, Nyanda released her first promotional single, "Trouble",{{cite web|title=Trouble by Nyanda|url=https://soundcloud.com/officialnyanda/nyanda-brick-lace-trouble|website=SoundCloud}} after announcing that she would be pursuing a solo career in music.{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Richard|title=Brick & Lace Disbands|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Brick--amp--Lace-disbands_13651841|work=The Jamaica Observer|date=February 19, 2013}} Her first official single, "Slippery When Wet", was released in September 2013.
Early life
Nyanda Thorbourne was born to an African-American mother and a Jamaican father in Kingston, Jamaica.{{cite news|last1=Samuels|first1=Natasha|title=Brick & Lace's Sexy Roots Music|url=http://wemagonline.blogspot.com/2008/04/brick-and-laces-sexy-roots-music.html|work=The Jamaica Observer|date=April 8, 2008}} She has 3 sisters, Tasha, Nailah and Candace Thorbourne.{{cite news|title=Jamaican Songwriting Team get JLo Hit|url=http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20120706/ent/ent4.html|work=The Jamaica Star|date=July 6, 2012|access-date=November 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711193228/http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20120706/ent/ent4.html|archive-date=July 11, 2012|url-status=dead}} Nyanda went to Campion College High School during which time her group Brick & Lace was formed. After graduating High School Nyanda studied Marketing at Miami Dade College and then Advertising & Theater at the University of Miami. The name "Nyanda" is a Swahili word which means "plains".
Career
=Brick and Lace (2006–2012)=
Nyanda's career in music started as a member of the pop/reggae group Brick & Lace. In 2006 Akon signed the group to Konvict Muzik{{cite web|title=Konvict Muzik|url=https://www.linkedin.com/company/konvict-muzik|website=LinkedIn.com|publisher=LinkedIn|accessdate=August 22, 2014}} / Geffen Records and released their debut album, Love Is Wicked in 2007. The album spawned four charting singles – "Never Never", "Get That Clear", "Bad to di Bone" and their biggest hit, "Love Is Wicked", which was listed for 97 weeks in 7 different charts.{{cite web|title=Love is Wicked|url=http://acharts.us/song/26779|website=aCharts.com|accessdate=November 22, 2014}}
=Solo career (2013–present)=
February 2013 marked the launch of Nyanda's career as a solo artist with the release of her promotional single, "Trouble". Produced by Black Lion, "Trouble" is a remix of Taylor Swift's multi-platinum single "I Knew You Were Trouble" which fuses reggae, dancehall and pop music.{{cite web|title= Perez Hilton – Trouble |url=http://perezhilton.com/2014-09-29-nyanda-trouble-taylor-swift#.VHOeRovF-Sp|website=PerezHilton.com|publisher=Perez Hilton|accessdate=November 24, 2014}} "Trouble" entered UK Music Week's Top 30 Urban Club Charts in Week 7 (2013){{cite web|title= Chart Pack – Trouble (Week 7, 2013)|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/static/images/assets/3098/5687_MWDigitalEdition22.02.13.pdf|website=MCV|publisher=Music Week|accessdate=November 24, 2014}} and remained in the charts for 7 Weeks,{{cite web|title=Chart Pack – Trouble (Week 10, 2013)|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/static/images/assets/3154/5765_MW%20chart%20Pack%2015.03.13.pdf|website=MCV|publisher=Music Week|accessdate=November 24, 2014}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|title=Chart Pack – Trouble (Week 13, 2013)|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/static/images/assets/3261/5922_MW%20Chart%20Pack%2005.04.13.pdf|website=MCV|publisher=Music Week|accessdate=November 24, 2014}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} peaking at No. 15.{{cite web|title=Chart Pack – Trouble (Week 9, 2013)|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/static/images/assets/3134/5738_MW%20ChartPack%2008.03.13.pdf|website=MCV|publisher=Music Week|accessdate=November 24, 2014}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Nyanda's first official single, "Slippery When Wet", was initially released as a free download through SoundCloud on March 8, 2013.{{cite web|title=Slippery When Wet by Nyanda|url=https://soundcloud.com/tropicelectric/nyanda-slippery-when-wet-radio?in=tropicelectric/sets/nyanda-slilppery-when-wet|website=SoundCloud}} "Slippery When Wet" entered UK Music Week's Urban Club Charts in Week 27 (2013){{cite web|title=Chart Pack – Slippery When Wet (Week 28, 2013)|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/static/images/assets/3721/6710_MW%20Chart%20Pack%2019:07:13.pdf|website=MCV|publisher=Music Week|accessdate=July 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202013520/http://www.mcvuk.com/static/images/assets/3721/6710_MW%20Chart%20Pack%2019:07:13.pdf|archive-date=December 2, 2014|url-status=dead}} and remained in the Top 30 for 5 weeks,{{cite web|title=Chart Pack – Slippery When Wet (Week 31, 2013)|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/static/images/assets/3804/6877_MW%20chart%20Pack%2009.08.13.pdf|website=MCV|publisher=Music Week|accessdate=July 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202013524/http://www.mcvuk.com/static/images/assets/3804/6877_MW%20chart%20Pack%2009.08.13.pdf|archive-date=December 2, 2014|url-status=dead}} peaking at No. 13.{{cite web|title=Chart Pack – Slippery When Wet (Week 29, 2013)|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/static/images/assets/3753/6774_MW%20Chart%20Pack%2026.07.13%20.pdf|website=MCV|publisher=Music Week|accessdate=November 26, 2014}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It was licensed and officially released later in the year by Cloud 9 (Benelux), Magic Records (Poland & Bulgaria) and Tropic Electric / InGrooves (Rest of the World). "Slippery When Wet" Won the Award for Best Reggae Song at the 2014 Lipstick Radio's Indie Music Awards.{{cite web|title=2014 Indie Music Awards Winner – Nyanda|url=http://amusednow.com/blog/2014-indie-music-awards-winner-nyanda-best-reggae-song/|website=www.AmusedNow.com|publisher=Amused Now|accessdate=November 20, 2014}}
In August 2013, Nyanda released the electro fueled house track,{{cite news|last1 = Sithole|first1 = Siyabonga| title=The Ten Best...House Tracks This Summer|url=http://www.citypress.co.za/entertainment/10-best-house-tracks-summer/|work=The Jamaica Observer|date=February 19, 2013}} "Cool & Deadly"{{cite web|title= Cool & Deadly – EP by Nyanda & F. eU DJ|url=https://music.apple.com/es/album/cool-deadly-ep/695106153?l=en|website=iTunes|publisher=Apple|access-date=November 26, 2014}} with South African DJs Euphonik and Fresh. "Cool & Deadly" was considered a South African Summer Anthem in 2013{{cite web|title= Euphonik Does It Again |url=http://www.soulcandi.co.za/news/euphonik-does-it-again/|website=Soulcandi.com|publisher=Soul Candi|accessdate=November 24, 2014}} as it climbed to No. 28 on South Africa Airplay Charts and reached No. 1 on 5FM's Top 40. The music video for "Cool & Deadly"{{cite web|title=Cool & Deadly Official Video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm_slpAzrvg|website=YouTube|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=November 26, 2014}} was done documentary style, with all footage being taken from Split Seconds, a 5-part TV series on Channel O showcasing the fast-paced look at Fresh and Euphonik in Miami during 2013's Winter Music Conference.{{cite web|title= Split Seconds Returns |url=http://channelo.dstv.com/2013/06/split-seconds-fresh-euphonik-miami-takeover/|website=channelo.dstv.com|publisher=Channel O TV|accessdate=November 24, 2014}}{{cite web|last1 = Mdaka| first1 = Rifumo |title= Feedback Musiq: Cool & Deadly" – F.eU ft. Nyanda Video |url=http://fdbq.co.za/2013/12/07/new-f-eu-ft-nyanda-cool-and-deadly-video/|website=channelo.dstv.com|publisher=Channel O TV|accessdate=November 26, 2014}}
=Bloodline=
In 2010, Nyanda and her sisters formed the songwriting team Bloodline. They have written songs for Kelly Rowland,{{cite news|title=Kelly Rowland Hits The Studio with Songwriting Team Bloodline|url=http://hamadamania.com/2014/03/21/kelly-rowland-hits-the-studio-with-songwriting-team-bloodline/|work=Hamada Mania Music Blog|date=March 21, 2014}} Christina Aguilera, Nicole Scherzinger, Leah LaBelle and Arash. In 2012, she co-wrote the gold-certified, chart topping single "Follow the Leader" by Wisin & Yandel featuring Jennifer Lopez.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
Philanthropy
=Reach a Hand Uganda (RAHU)=
In February 2014, Nyanda was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for Reach a Hand Uganda.{{cite news|last1=Mandela|first1=Winnie|title=Brick n’ Lace Nyanda for Kampala|url=http://www.busiweek.com/index1.php?Ctp=2&pI=540&pLv=3&srI=65&spI=103&cI=22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923195455/http://www.busiweek.com/index1.php?Ctp=2&pI=540&pLv=3&srI=65&spI=103&cI=22|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 23, 2015|accessdate=November 17, 2014|work=East African Business Week|date=February 10, 2014}}
Discography
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Single ! Album |
|---|
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| "Rodeo Wine" |rowspan="6" | Non-album singles |
| "Young & Alive" (with DJ LBR) |
| 2016
| "Keep Me Up All Night" (with Ripstar) |
| rowspan="3" | 2015
| "The Way U Love" |
| "All My Love" |
| "Put It on Me" |
| 2014
| "I Love Sax" (with Black Lion) |
| rowspan="3" | 2013
| Slippery When Wet EP |
| "Cool & Deadly" (with Fresh and Euphonik as F.eU) |
| "Trouble"
| Promotional single |
==As featured artist==
=Non-singles=
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Song ! Album |
|---|
| rowspan=3 | 2015
| "Cinnamon Roll" (feat. Dionne Renée){{cite web|title=Cinnamon Roll by Nyanda feat Dionne Renée|url=https://soundcloud.com/tropicelectric/cinnamon-roll-nyanda-feat-dionne-renee|website=SoundCloud}} | rowspan=3 | Black Lion Reggae Invasion Vol. 1 |
| "One More Time" (with The Kemist){{cite web|title=One More Time by Nyanda & The Kemist|url=https://soundcloud.com/tropicelectric/the-kemist-nyanda-one-more-time|website=SoundCloud}} |
| "Footprints" (feat. Assassin){{cite web|title=Footprints by Nyanda feat Assassin|url=https://soundcloud.com/tropicelectric/footprints-nyanda-ft-assassin|website=SoundCloud}} |
| 2014
| "I Won't Take You Back" |
==As featured artist==
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Song ! Artist ! Album |
|---|
| rowspan=2 | 2015
| "Mine Tonight" | Burna Boy (feat. Nyanda) | On A Spaceship |
| | "Dangerous"
| Pachanga (feat. Nyanda) | La Era Positivo |
| rowspan=2 | 2014
| "Superman" | rowspan=2 | Arash (feat. Nyanda) | rowspan=2 | Superman |
| | "Ma Bala" |
| 2018
| |"Wokie Wokie" |Mr P (feat. Nyanda) |Wokie Wokie Single |
=Songwriting credits=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Song ! Artist ! Album |
|---|
| rowspan = 2 | 2013
| "Club Saved My Life" | Wally Lopez featuring Brick & Lace and J Balvin |
| "Shot Gun"
| Brian Cross featuring Leah LaBelle | Pop Star – The Album{{cite web|title= Pop Star – The Album by Brian Cross |url=https://music.apple.com/es/album/pop-star-the-album/599769763?l=en|website=iTunes|publisher=Apple|access-date=November 23, 2014}}{{cite news|title=RV Pop Music Reviews|url=http://rvpopmusic-reviews.blogspot.com/2013/06/brian-cross-innocence-alex-gaudino-la.html|date=June 16, 2013}} |
| rowspan = 3 | 2012
| Wisin & Yandel featuring Jennifer Lopez | Líderes |
| "Around the World"
| Lotus |
| "Grenade"
| Vincenzo featuring Brick & Lace |
| rowspan = 2 | 2011
| "Say Yes" |
| "This Time" (Sidney Samson Remix)
| Kizzo featuring Bloodline |
| rowspan = 2 | 2009
| "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" | A. R. Rahman and The Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger |
| "Swat"
| rowspan=14 | Brick & Lace |
| rowspan=12 | 2007
| "Get That Clear (Hold Up)" | rowspan=12 | Love Is Wicked |
| "Never Never" |
| "Don't Stop" |
| "Take Me Back" |
| "Why'd You Lie" |
| "Love is Wicked" |
| "Boyfriend" |
| "Push It Up" |
| "Buss A Shot" |
| "Mr. Officer" |
| "My Apple" |
| "U and Me" |
| rowspan = 2 | 2006
| "Move Tonight" |
| "Nice 2 Meet U"
| Frank n Dank featuring Brick & Lace |
| rowspan = 2 | 2005
| "Tonight" | rowspan = 2 | Brick & Lace |
| "Make Me Wanna Get Naughty" |
Music videos
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|www.officialnyanda.com}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Jamaican women rappers
Category:Jamaican people of English descent
Category:Jamaican people of Jewish descent
Category:Reggae fusion artists
Category:Jamaican reggae singers
Category:21st-century Jamaican women singers
Category:Singers from Kingston, Jamaica
Category:American women singer-songwriters
Category:Singer-songwriters from Florida
Category:21st-century American women singers