Nadia Nakai on cyber bullying: If it happens again, I'll still be hurt

Nadia dishes on her new album and TV gig

15 May 2019 - 07:00 By Kyle Zeeman
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Nadia Nakai has faced the Twitter firing squad on occasion.
Nadia Nakai has faced the Twitter firing squad on occasion.
Image: Instagram/Nadia Nakai

Nadia Nakai had a bumper 2018 and says this year will be even better with a new a TV gig and album on the way, if only she can shut out the haters.

Nadia is the co-host of MTV BASE's massive hip-hop show YO! MTV Raps, which aims to bring the best in features, interviews and music from the world of hip-hop.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Nadia said she was honoured to be part of the show.

"I jumped at the chance to be part of the show because I think women in hip-hop need to be given a greater voice. I know the impact that hip-hop heads have on the industry and I want to showcase that."

Nadia is a big authority on the industry having been in the game for a minute.

But with the fame has come a lot of scrutiny, with the star sometimes facing trolls from the Twitter firing squad.

She explained that while she has learnt to have a thick skin, the hate still hurts.

"I don't think I have totally got over it. I think I fool myself a lot, to be honest. I have been preaching self-worth, because if I don't it can affect my music. I have gone through a lot of media slashing and cyber bullying, I can't say it has made me a better person.  I think if any of it happened again, I'll still be hurt."

She said she was able to overcome those dark days by surrounding herself with good people who could see her worth.

"You need to find people who see the value in you when no one else does. People who feel you are worth it and will pass through this stormy period."

Nadia will be hoping the response to her debut album Nadia Naked, which drops on June 28, will be positive.

The much-anticipated album has been in the works for several years and has hit numerous delays.

"It got to a point that all I wanted was for it to be released. I would meet with (record label boss) Cassper (Nyovest) and beg him for us to release it. But when it was finally given to me, I couldn't believe it. We went in for a strategy meeting and suddenly I had a release date. I went through so many emotions, from shock to disbelief to anxiety. I am really nervous."


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