More than 8 years since Nadia Nakai broke into the rap scene, she finally dropped her debut. Titled Nadia Naked, this full body of work could be a make-it-or-break it case for Nadia’s music career.
It should be stated that Nadia signed to the right label that doesn’t prioritise radio airplay, so there is no need to censor herself. This suits her raw style of expression and doesn’t subject her to that label polish aimed to optimise airplay.
Because of the time it took her to release a debut album, we got to know Nadia from dropping music, and not through the music. A debut album is a chance for an artist to paint their story, it’s an origins piece if you will. The process for making this one is said to have taken three years in the
making. And the result is packaged into this 17-track piece of work. Topics touched on here range from business moves to heartbreak and self esteem.
The production and song arrangement is on point. The 2-minute intro is followed by a tribal sound on Africa, giving the album an easy start. We get what is about the only raga-influenced (besides the hook for Big Pun) style of rap she has been known to dabble into. Then it’s off to the races from Imma Boss onwards. Based on the emotion in the sound and content, Amai would've also done well as a second track, even third.
Tempos increase gradually and decrease in the same fashion. The dominating sound is a rappidy-rap bouncy kind of hip hop, with a sprinkle of potential strip club bangers. Again, there isn’t as much of a raga influence as some may have expected to hear. One of my expectations was that Nadia would
shy away from actually rapping. But that is not the case, the verses take a longer format.
We get to hear a level of hip hop slang like she has never shown before on the 90s style boombap joint On The Block which is hard AF. The delivery on this one is exceptional from both Nadia and Khuli. Not holding back, she delivers three verses, leaving Khuli to wrap it up on the fourth. Her delivery sound natural. Throughout the album, Nadia’s verses paint a picture of her as a Hip Hop scholar. The track Rap Bitches draws inspiration from the late Nipsey Hustle's Rap Niggas. And the growth in rap technique also has to be noted as evident on Kreatures and On The Block.
Naked in this sense means more raw and uncensored than vulnerable. Nadia still maintains a strong thuggish demeanour even when getting personal like on Darkness defined. The only display of what could count as vulnerability can be heard on Love, where Nadia let's her guard down more and talks about battling the emotion of love directed at a person who doesn't reciprocate. The inclusion of Naaa Mean was a great decision. It hits differently when put together with the other songs on the album.
If this was indeed a reintroduction… Consider yourself reintroduced, Nadia
