Her Story In The Making

We caught up with rapper Nadia Nakai to talk about her highly anticipated first album and being a woman in hip-hop

- Simamkele Matuntuta

‘I DON’T REMEMBER EVER SAYING that I wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer,’ Nadia Nakai says. And in music she definitely belongs. Nakai has grown into a force to be reckoned with, both as a an individual and an artist. She credits all that she is to her mother, who was a strong support system and great influence growing up. ‘I was raised to be an independent and Godfearing woman with strong values.’

But is hip-hop a good place to be, considering how its infamous for degrading women? Nakai says this question resonates deeply with her, because hip-hop has always been a misogynistic culture. ‘It’s good that I’m in the industry so that I can represent women instead of men telling us what they think women are all about, what we want and what we aspire to.’

This is why Castle Lite has become a huge success in the entertainment realm, pioneering projects that elevate women. From adding an extensive female line-up in Castle Lite Unlocks concert with Chance the Rapper earlier this year, to Castle Lite Herstory in August, which united emcees from all over the globe, including Nakai.