Nadia Nakai’s real name is Nadia Nakai Dlamini. She was born to a South African father called Mr. Kandava and a Zimbabwean mother named Mrs. Dlamini. Ever since the rapper burst into mainstream success, her nationality has always been a topic of debate, with most people considering her to be a full-fledged Zimbabwean even though her father is a South African.
Nadia Nakai’s Bio
- AGE: 33 years old
- BIRTHDAY: May 18, 1990
- BIRTHPLACE: Johannesburg, South Africa
- BIRTH SIGN: Taurus
- ETHNICITY: South African-Zimbabwean
- FATHER: Mr. Kandava
- MOTHER: Dlamini
- SIBLINGS: 1
Nadia Nakai Was Born and Raised in South Africa
South African TV personality and rapper Nadia Nakia was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on May 18, 1990. She is 33 years old currently. Nadia was raised in Johannesburg and also spent part of her formative years in the city.
She completed her elementary studies in a Johannesburg-based school. She attended the renowned Fourways High School in Johannesburg for just one year and subsequently moved to Kenya to further her high school studies.
Upon finishing her studies in Kenya, she returned to South Africa and was admitted to Monash University, Johannesburg, to study marketing, communication, and media studies.
What Is Nadia Nakai’s Full Name?
Nadia Nakia’s full name is Nadia Nakai Dlamini. Her original/birth name was Nadia Nakai Kandava. She switched her surname from ‘Kandava’ to ‘Dlamini’ at the age of 16.
‘Dlamini’ is her mother’s name, and she has not openly come out to explain why she abandoned he father’s name for her mother’s.
Nadia Nakai’s Nationality: Where Is She Originally From?
Nadia Nakai is South African by birth. She was born in South Africa to a South African father by a Zimbabwean mother. She supposedly identified as a full-fledged South African until the age of 16, when she changed her surname, thereby accentuating her Zimbabwean heritage.
The rapper is considered a Zimbabwean and not a South African in the entertainment industry, even though she believes otherwise. This could be a result of the change in her surname.
Nadia Nakai’s Parents
Nadia is the daughter of Mr. Kandava and Mrs. Dlamini. Apart from the fact that the two hail from South Africa and Zimbabwe, respectively, further information about their lives is not accessible to the public.
It appears the rapper’s parents have been separated for a long time. There is no record of their relationship, including how, where, and when they met and what exactly led to their divorce.
Who Is Nadia Nakai’s Mother?
Nadia Nakai’s mother is Mrs. Dlamini. She was born in Zimbabwe, and the two share an amazing mother-daughter relationship.
Mrs. Dlamini, who is fondly called ‘Mai Nadia’, has been supportive of her daughter’s career from day one. In April 2023, the rapper was left emotional after her mother and little brother’s message was played for her during an interview with Previdar magazine.
In the audio record, Mai Nadia promised to love her for the rest of her life even though she might not always be with her physically.
Nadia Nakai’s Father
Kandava is the name of Nadia Nakai’s father. His birthplace, lineage, and current whereabouts are all unknown.
The South African-Zimbabwean TV star has never talked publicly about her father or revealed his complete identity. In addition, nobody is currently aware of the nature of her relationship with him.
She is a Talented Rapper and TV Personality
Nadia began her career as a TV personality in 2011 after graduation. In her bid to explore the TV industry, she featured on SABC1, Battle Stations (seasons 1–3), and also presented and anchored the daily show – Daily Planet on PRTV.
She also attended various events such as SAMA’s; Metro FM awards; MTV EMAs in Spain; and MTV awards) where she interviewed A-list guests. Her popularity soared after she won the Mixtape 101 competition on the e.tv hip hop show Shiz Niz.
Nakai eventually had her career breakthrough in 2013 following the release of her first single, “Like Me”. The rapper, whose flourishing career was inspired by Kenyan-born female rapper Nazizi, began to fully focus on her music career three years later.
So far, she has released over 10 hit single songs, collaborated with several notable local artists such as Riky Rick, Da L.E.S, Okmalumkoolkat, Londie London, Gigi LaMayne, Priddy Ugly, and Maggz in over 8 projects, and also released an EP titled Bragga (2016).
Nadia’s music career saw a great deal of success after she joined Capper Nyovest’s record label Family Tree. Her debut single with the label “Money Back” was well received and also became a soundtrack for numerous shows/ adverts such as MTV Base and S.A’s ETV soap, Rhythm City.
As a host, she has hosted several star-studded events, including the red carpet special for MTV Africa at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards, Yo! MTV Raps South Africa (co-host), the MTV Base hip hop show (co-host), the first season of Channel O’s Gen-Z South Africa television show, and many others.
Nakai’s hit single with Nyovest, “Naaa Meaan” (released in 2017), remains one of her most prominent works as a rapper. The project not only placed her as the first local female hip-hop artist to have over 1 million views on YouTube, but its music video also earned her so much fame and awards.
The Zimbabwean-South African star parted ways with Family Tree Records in June 2021 following her decision to pursue her own record.
Nadia Nakia has found Much Success Since she Debuted
Nadia has had enormous success as a rapper and a TV personality. This is evidenced by the number of records to her credit, her enormous net worth, the awards she has received from several nominations, and the extraordinary degree of visibility she enjoys both inside and beyond the nation.
Her sheer hard work as an entertainer has earned about six prestigious awards, including the Music Artist of the Year at the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards, Best Female at the South African Hip Hop Awards, Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa, and Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop at the All Africa Music Awards.
Nadia Nakai is also a reality TV star. She is a cast member on the Netflix original reality show Young, Famous & African. She debuted on the show in 2022.
The late AKA‘s partner has graced the covers of elite magazines such as Hype Magazine, Glamor, Candiland Trend Report & The Plug, as well as Club X.
