Does Naira sound familiar? It’s the currency for Nigeria. As corrupt as the country is she’s made a greater, more positive meaning to the word. “It took me awhile to find a name. I wanted something that had a ring to it and was some way, shape, or form connected to my heritage. I took it a step further so it can truly represent who I am and what I’m trying to do with my music. It means Nigerian American I Represent Africa.”
With no comparisons just yet, her inspirations are reminiscent of legendary African greats and their rich musical sound. “Fela Kuti is a voice that extended to all of Nigeria, to the human struggle. Angelique Kidjo is so prolific to me. Huge Sade fan as many will find out!”
The first of three preludes to her new album Fearless: The Art of Letting Go is The Colour of Love. In this collaborative project, production from herself and Atlanta’s soul minded J. Haze helped Naira express what many can not over a fused Sade instrumental and original composition. Not just anyone can do Sade. “I have so much respect for her and I had to tap into the depth that Sade represents. I made a point to be in sync with how classic and classy Sade is. With everything I did, I made sure it touched me and touched someone else.” Motivating cuts like “Pathway” and “Ode to Isabelle” reach out to those in different struggles, vocally encouraging listeners to keep pushing.
Her sound unifies afropop, blues, hip hop, and soul. Her upbringing is the base for her musical creations but she’s found muse in artists like Boog Brown, Jean Gray, and J Davey that are doing what she does just as well. “I was raised traditionally like a Yoruba girl. All the cultural upbringing I exude. It’s not how I sound, it’s who I am. Mash them up.”
In the past, Naira’s performed onstage. Quite the thespian, she’s done a couple scripts here and there since her high school years. In “Pathways,” an upcoming indie film with guest appearances from the entire Atlanta music scene, Naira plays the disliked other half of the main character. “In the movie I play his girlfriend, she’s a troublemaker and no one likes her. They said they knew I was perfect for the part even though I’m the complete opposite.”
Getting the buzz up is the most important thing for Naira right now. She’s into videography, doing visuals for her fan base and tacking on some new tasks that will get her music out to the people. “Under Vantage Point Pictures I’m really getting into videography. I’ve directed a couple videos and I look to do some short films before the end of the year. Visuals are 100% of a marketing tool right now. People don’t watch TV anymore, they are watching their computer screens and the streets I’m hitting the streets and giving people something they can hold.”
Something like a differenter, staying relevant is all about recreating yourself as an artist consistently while being spunky and silly of course. The remaining preludes to the album are two concept based collections and through the numerous projects she’s been cramming for the last year and a half, she’s still thrusts her elbows on the table with fists in her cheeks and a big smile. “Following TCOL is my freestyle CD, See Me See Trouble. The Force of Gravity mixtape deals with that same storyline. We all are fighting against it so we can spread our wings and fly.”
See Me, See Trouble
Download The Colour of Love here.
Check out Naira's official website or tweet her @iamnaira
