With her new single, “Come Over”, featuring MaLi, officially out, emerging artist Nía is inviting listeners into her musical world. Blending the nostalgia of old-school R&B, the energy of South African sounds and contemporary influences, she is carving out a sound that is both familiar and distinctly her own. We caught up with the artist to talk about the musical influences that shaped her, the unexpected late-night drive that brought “Come Over” to life, and why she believes the best music never goes out of style.
It’s a warm Saturday evening, and Johannesburg is preparing for the weekend. Some are getting the fire going for a braai, while others are making plans to meet friends before heading to the Soweto Derby. For Nía, however, this Saturday carries a different kind of anticipation. It marks the release of a musical project she has been working towards for well over a couple of years.
For her, it is also another step towards introducing the world to the artist she believes she is destined to become. But the story of Nía, and the sound she is creating, begins with a drive — both literally and metaphorically.
“My work speaks for itself. I’m a trailblazer, an innovator. I’m a blend of the old school and the new school,” Nía tells IMARA. “I am an icon in the making. The world is crying for a fresh sound, and I’m bringing it with the golden influences.”
Having grown up at what she describes as the sweet spot between different musical tastes and generations, Nía credits much of her musical identity to her family.
“We grew up listening to cassette tapes in the car and vinyls in the house. We still have the vinyl player and vinyls, actually,” she recalls. “I was exposed to American R&B by my mom, from Boyz II Men to Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. My dad introduced me to local artists with different feels, from kwaito heavyweights like TKZee and Brown Dash to L’Vovo, Big Nuz and Lebo Mathosa. My uncles introduced me to jazz, while my brother introduced me to hip-hop.”
Her artistry is a culmination of these influences. Rather than simply drawing inspiration from the music she grew up listening to, Nía has continued to explore different genres and musical styles independently, investing in jazz, contemporary and classical vocal training along the way.
For her, this is where old-school soul meets new-school energy: a sound that draws from the richness of the past while finding its place in the present.
With “Come Over”, featuring MaLi, now available across streaming platforms, Nía is beginning to translate that musical identity into a body of work she can call her own. The release represents more than a new single; it is an introduction to the sound, influences and creative vision behind the artist.
The story behind “Come Over” began when Nía’s producer sent her the beat. Initially, she wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. But when the beat dropped, she knew there was something worth exploring.
“The beat dropped, it was nasty!” she grins, remembering the moment she first heard the track. “I was shocked. I literally paused the track. It was around 6 p.m., sometime around late November or early December 2019, during the festive season. I remember thinking, ‘You know what? I need to hear this properly.’ So I got into the car and decided to take a drive.”
As the instrumental played, the energy, rhythm and feeling of the track took over. It was during that drive that the concept of “Come Over” came alive. Nía spontaneously freestyled the chorus, with the melody and cadence flowing naturally.
“It flowed straight out of me. There was no overthinking it. I was almost surfing through the road and the beat at the same time. There wasn’t much traffic that evening, so I was just in my own world, just wrapped up in the instrumental.”
There was just one problem: when she got home, she couldn’t remember what she’d created. After unsuccessfully trying to recreate it, the melody returned to her about a week later. She immediately recorded herself humming it, and from there, the lyrics gradually came together.
The writing process wasn’t without its challenges. While the initial verse came relatively quickly, overcoming writer’s block and filling in the gaps took approximately two months and two weeks.
A hip-hop feature felt like the natural next step, and when MaLi came on board, he brought an additional energy to the track, giving it the extra dimension Nía felt it needed.
“Somewhere between the road, the beat and that feeling of just wanting to move, the words ‘Come Over’ came alive. The rest is history.”
