Nadia Nakai Kandava (née Dlamini; born 18 May 1990),is a Zimbabwean-South African rapper and television personality.
Early life and education
Nakai was born in South Africa. Her father is South African and her mother is Zimbabwean. When she was 16 years old, her surname was changed from her father’s to her mother’s.
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”. 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.
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.
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. On 3 May 2019, Nakai confirmed that her debut album Nadia Naked would be released on 28 June 2019.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.In May 2020, she signed a record deal with Def Jam Africa.
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.
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 Awards 2016 Herself Music Artist of the Year Won [29]
Metro FM Music Awards 2016 Baddest (Remix) (with AKA, Fifi Cooper, Rouge & Gigi LaMayne) Best Remix Nominated [30]
Do I Like I Do (Remix) (with DJ Sliqe, Riky Rick, Reason, L-Tido, Kwesta & Flabba) Nominated
South African Music Awards 2018 Naa Meaan (feat. Cassper Nyovest) (Directed by Family Tree) Music Video of the Year Nominated [31]
2021 Nadia Naked Best Hip Hop Album Nominated [32][33]
South African Hip Hop Awards 2019 Album of the Year Nominated [34][35]
Herself Best Female Won
MVP/Hustler of the Year Nominated
2020 Nominated [36][37]
40 Bars (featuring Emtee & DJ Capital) Directed by Kaykayribane Best Video Nominated
More Drugs (featuring Tshego) Directed Allesio Bettocchi & Jilten Ramlal Won
2021 Herself Artist of the Decade Nominated [38]
All Africa Music Awards 2019 Nadia Naked Album of the Year in Southern Africa Nominated
Herself Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa Won
Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop Won
SA Style Awards 2021 Most Stylish Performing Artist Won
Basadi in Music Awards 2023 Hip Hop Artist of the Year Won
Discography
Studio album
Studio album
Title Extended play details
Nadia Naked
Released: 28 June 2019
Label: Family Tree Records
Format: Digital download
Extended Play
Extended play
Title Extended play details
Bragga
Released: 15 September 2016
Label: Family Tree Records
Format: Digital download