Nadia Nakai Kandava (né Dlamini; born 18 May 1990), is a 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.
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. In 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.
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. 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. 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. 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 as part of an affluent group of "A-list media personalities."
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 +AwardYearRecipient(s) and nominee(s)CategoryResultRef.Zimbabwe Achievers Awards2016HerselfMusic Artist of the YearMetro FM Music Awards2016Baddest (Remix) (with AKA, Fifi Cooper, Rouge & Gigi LaMayne)Best RemixDo I Like I Do (Remix) (with DJ Sliqe, Riky Rick, Reason, L-Tido, Kwesta & Flabba)South African Music Awards2018Naa Meaan (feat. Cassper Nyovest) (Directed by Family Tree)Music Video of the Year2021Nadia NakedBest Hip Hop AlbumSouth African Hip Hop Awards2019Album of the YearHerselfBest FemaleMVP/Hustler of the Year202040 Bars (featuring Emtee & DJ Capital) Directed by KaykayribaneBest VideoMore Drugs (featuring Tshego) Directed Allesio Bettocchi & Jilten Ramlal2021HerselfArtist of the DecadeAll Africa Music Awards2019Nadia NakedAlbum of the Year in Southern AfricaHerselfBest Female Artiste in Southern AfricaBest Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip HopSA Style Awards2021Most Stylish Performing ArtistBasadi in Music Awards2023 Hip Hop Artist of the Year
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
Singles As lead artist + List of singles, showing year released and album name 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) "Naaa Meaan"(featuring Cassper Nyovest) 2017Nadia Naked "Money Calling"(with Frank Casino) 2018 "Yass Bitch"Nadia Naked "Imma Boss" 2019 "Kreatures"(featuring Kwesta & Sio) "40 Bars"(featuring Emtee & DJ Capital) 2020 Nadia Naked (Deluxe)
As featured artist + List of featured singles, showing year released and album name 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) "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) "Crazy"(Spectacular and DJ Naves featuring Floda, Nadia Nakai and DJ Tira) 2017Isaga Lam(Miss Pru DJ featuring LaSauce, Gigi LaMayne, Nadia Nakai and Londie London)Uh Huh(Priddy Ugly featuring Nadia Nakai) 2017Zonke (Phantom Steeze featuring Sjava, AKA, Nadia Nakai, Robot Boii, Buzzi Lee and Mustbedubz)2022
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