Exclusive | Nadiya Talks Her Latest Mixtape 'Summer Nights'
“The more I learn about myself and the world, the more I’m motivated to create. Not just for myself but because I want to share that feeling with others.”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is R&B singer Nadiya! Nadiya hails from Chesapeake, Virginia and at the age of 20, this artist that carries a seasoned voice. She is currently a junior at the University of Mary Washington where she is studying Computer Science and Music Technology. Nadiya released her mixtape Enlightenment last year and followed with a joint mixtape called Summer Nights this year!
I promised my family a bachelor's degree at the minimum. But when doing homework or I’m not making music, I love writing/journaling, reading, or watching some type of cartoons. I’m also really into meditation and yoga. I’m a very contemplative person and I love learning new things about life. My main goal in life is to do what I love, see the world, and have happiness.
Nadiya is an up and coming artist that has an excellent catalogue of music already at an early age and is showing no signs of slowing up!
We talked with Nadiya in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING MUSIC AND HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
Nadiya: I wrote my first song at about six, but I’ve only recently started putting music out the summer of my freshman year of college. I just kind of got tired of waiting for an opportunity to put myself out there and started recording on my own in my closet at home. Music has been my thing since I can remember. I don’t come from a crazy musical family, but it's just always been something I felt like I needed to do.
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
Nadiya: I’m influenced by tons of people, too many to count. My biggest influences you can maybe hear in my music are probably Amy Winehouse or Jhene Aiko. My all time favorite musician is definitely Frank Ocean. He writes the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard and I have so much respect for him. If I could ask for anything, I would want to just be there with him during his process of creating.
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
Nadiya: This is a really good question that I honestly have never thought about before. I think a collab with JID, Blood Orange, or J. Cole would be crazy.
What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
Nadiya: My favorite song I wrote would have to be “Love is Right Here.” I love the meaning behind it, like telling someone you don’t have to look far because I’m right here to love you. I love the idea of giving love to someone because I have the ability to. Also, I’m a big fan of the harmonies in the chorus. My next favorite would be “U Care.” The process of that song is my favorite. I remember just getting the idea and hammering it out in like 3-4 hours, and writing as I go. The songs that just naturally happen like that are always the best.
What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
Nadiya: I've been doing more collaborative stuff this year with other artists, but I plan on getting another solo project out in the next few months. If you want to check out one of the collaborative projects I worked on this summer they’re here:
Nadiya - Summer Nights
How do you generate new ideas for your music?
Nadiya: I have to have a beat that speaks to me but there’s no crazy process behind it. I kind of just feel it really. I always want my music to represent me authentically, so writing is just me expressing myself and how I feel in the moment.
What motivates you and how do you define success?
Nadiya: The more I learn about myself and the world, the more I’m motivated to create. Not just for myself but because I want to share that feeling with others. I think that would be the definition of my own success, being able to reach as many people I can and being able to spark some sort of inspiration in others and be what my favorite artists were for me for others.
How would you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
Nadiya: I think my music can be described as smooth, soft, maybe sweet R&B. I’m sure anyone whose spoken to me would agree that it’s pretty much a painted picture of who I am. I think what separates me from other is my openness to different sounds/feelings. I want to continue to open myself to many more sounds and types of music.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Nadiya: Not exactly. I believe that most artists are successful because they have something new to offer that others don’t, something that can separate them from others.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
Nadiya: Everyone that I love is an inspiration to me. I learn so much everyday from the people in my circle and that pushes me to do the things that I love which is create. However, of course I definitely want to do this for my family and my future family. Whenever I think about that, there’s always inspiration.
In your opinion, who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Nadiya: Definitely Beyonce. She has built everything she has mainly with just her talent which is something I can respect. Her fanbase is a prime example of just how influential she is and how she will continue to remain successful while her legacy carries on. There’s no denying that.
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Nadiya: I try to be as uplifting as possible. We all go through shit, I, out of anyone, can definitely understand that. I try to relate to every emotion cause at the end of the day we’re all going through different varieties of the same thing. We all want the same thing. We all want to be happy. A big part of my music is just the process of learning life as I go and that encompasses all different types of emotions.
What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Nadiya: My dreams are still in the making. Being in school, I have to make sacrifices all the time whether it be to study later and write now or vice versa. I would say that moving away from my family would definitely be the biggest sacrifice I would make just because I’m such a big family person.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Nadiya: Definitely hearing the end product is my favorite. I’m always like “ Wow, I really did that shit.” Feeling the result of what you yourself created is a feeling that you can’t really compare to others. I probably feel the most discouraged if I’m not getting the results I initially heard in my head before recording. Ultimately, it always works out in the end.
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Nadiya: It might sound crazy but I don’t really like to think too deep into the future. I don’t like to have giant expectations for the way my life pans out, I’d rather let things run how they should. I would say that the only real goal I have for the next few years is moving from the east coast to the west, which I think ultimately would benefit me and my music.
What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Nadiya: I for sure don’t have all of the answers to this life, but I would encourage others to stay true to who you are first. There’s a lot of people doing things for the wrong reasons- trying to be like someone else, ultimately not benefitting their true self. I don’t think that’s cool or helpful. It takes a while to really find yourself- I’m still deep in the process, but if you dedicate everything to finding out who you really are, that’s when everything falls into place I believe.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
Nadiya: I’m still pretty young, I just turned 20, so I expect my music to grow and change along with me. This is all a process as I’m still trying to find myself so I appreciate any and everyone who appreciates me as an artist.
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