Nadia Nakai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nadia Nakai
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Photo on a preview of MTV Shuga Down South in 2019
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Nadia Nakai Dlamini |
| Born | 18 May 1990 South Africa |
| Origin | Johannesburg |
| Citizenship | |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 2011–present |
| Partner(s) |
AKA
(died 2023) |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts |
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Nadia Nakai Kandava (née Dlamini; born 18 May 1990), is a Zimbabwean-South African rapper and television personality.
Contents
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.
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". The following year, she was featured on the remix of Riky Rick song, Amantombazane amongst various South African acts. 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. Bragga was then released on 15 September 2016. In November 2017, Nakai released her critically acclaimed single "Naaa Meaan" featuring Cassper Nyovest. 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.
2021–present: TV shows
In 2021, Nakai hosted the first season of Channel O's Gen-Z South Africa television show. In June 2021, she left Family Tree Records to pursue her own label. At the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards, Nakai received a nomination for Artist of the Decade.
In 2022, Nakai appeared on the Netflix original reality show Young, Famous & African.
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.
Personal life
She was in a relationship with the late South African rapper AKA.
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe Achievers Awards | 2016 | Herself | Music Artist of the Year | Won | |
| Metro FM Music Awards | 2016 | Baddest (Remix) (with AKA, Fifi Cooper, Rouge & Gigi LaMayne) | Best Remix | Nominated | |
| 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 | |
| South African Hip Hop Awards | 2019 | Herself | Best Female | Won | |
| 2020 | 40 Bars (featuring Emtee & DJ Capital) Directed by Kaykayribane | Best Video | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | Herself | Artist of the Decade | Nominated | ||
| All Africa Music Awards | 2019 | 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
Extended Play
| Title | Extended play details |
|---|---|
| Bragga |
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Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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| "Naaa Meaan" (featuring Cassper Nyovest) |
2017 | ||
| "Money Calling" (with Frank Casino) |
2018 | ||
| "Imma Boss" | 2019 | ||
| "Kreatures" (featuring Kwesta & Sio) |
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| "40 Bars" (featuring Emtee & DJ Capital) |
2020 |
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certification | |||
| "Amantombazane Remix" (Riky Rick featuring Okmalumkoolkat, Maggz, Kwesta, Ginger Breadman, Kid X, Nadia Nakai and DJ Dimplez) |
2014 | RiSA: Gold | |
| "Do Like I Do Remix" (DJ Sliqe featuring Riky Rick, L-Tido, Kwesta, Reason, Flabba and Nadia Nakai) |
2015 | Injayam, Vol. 1 | |
| "Sugar Free" (Tumi featuring Nadia Nakai) |
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| "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) |
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| "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) |
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| Uh Huh (Priddy Ugly featuring Nadia Nakai) |
2017 | ||
| Zonke
(Phantom Steeze featuring Sjava, AKA, Nadia Nakai,Robot Boii, Buzzi Lee and Mustbedubz) |
2022 |
