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“Who are you really?” This is the question that is being posed to the listener when digesting Nadirah Naima’s music. Whether the message is light and fun or daringly deep Nadirah Naima utilizes lyrics, cadence, tone, and melody to hold up a mirror to herself and society. As a songwriter and Alternative R&B practitioner, healing through sound is imperative to Nadirah. Nadirah is a South Jersey native currently she lived in Miami for 12 years and is currently residing in Atlanta. Raised in a Muslim household, first introduction to music was at birth when her father gave her the middle name “Naima” after a John Coltrane song. She is heavily influenced by the music her jazz aficionado father and her Hip Hop and R&B loving mother. Nadirah’s father has curated and produced jazz concerts in the Tri-State area for top acts in New York such as Stacey Dillard, Tim Warfield, and Dezron Douglas. She would often attend concerts as a child. With mixed musical vibrations whirling around her home ranging from Miles Davis to Mobb Deep, Nadirah Naima’s ear was trained to appreciate a wide range of sounds which created her unique voice.
Growing up Nadirah struggled with embracing her voice. It was much more distinct than the voices of the other girls that sang in her school choir and would often time stick out. During her private music lessons her teacher would try to instruct her to blend her voice in with the others. Nadirah hated the idea of sonically blending in with anyone so she began finding love in the quirks that Billie Holiday, Erykah Badu, Sade and Lauryn Hill had in their voices. This gave her more confidence and encouraged her to write more poetry and songs about her feelings and existential issues.
She wrote her first song in kindergarten as a tribute to her teacher that went on maternity leave. She was selected to sing in All South Jersey choir after her music teacher encouraged her to audition. While studying music theory she also played the flute for several years.
In Autumn of 2021 Nadirah Naima released her first single “Yesteryear”. The song carries a dark undertone balanced with dreamy and ethereal melodies, making the perfect combination necessary to express the stages of ego death. Her single “Free” was released in July of 2022, along with her first ever music video that she co directed. Free embodies the emotions of loving ones full self and affirming self acceptance. With the help of her team, Nadirah produced and curated her first listening party that was sponsored by Pernod Ricard. Working in the studio with Zoey Dollaz on an Afro-Beat song was also a first for her in 2022. She is grateful to have been featured on The CW Network’s “The Connect Show South Florida” as Stichiz’s music pick of the week. Being mentored by legendary Hip Hop Emcee Wise Intelligent from Poor Righteous Teachers and sharing the stage with talent such as Aj McQueen, Sunshine Anderson and Trina has allowed Nadirah Naima to sharpen her skills and blossom into a more prolific artist. Her song “Feel No Fear” is an affirmation of courage. Nadirah is looking forward to releasing her first EP this year, as well as building her audience.
