Read the full interview on Flaunt.com!
Nana Fofie is your new favorite R&B artist from overseas. Hailing from Rotterdam, Netherlands, the Dutch Ghanaian rising star has an unwavering love and passion for music — which began at the early age of 5. Describing herself as “a regular girl who loves to sing and write music,” Nana is also a proud mother to her beautiful little boy Isaiah.
The singer-songwriter exploded onto the scene with her debut single on Youtube, an Afropop mashup titled “Mad Over You” which currently hails over 6.1 million views and counting. When it comes to her vibe, her style, her beauty, and her personality, there’s no one who can do it better. Her presence as an Afro-European musician is both rare and refreshing, creating her own sound titled Afro R&B blending contemporary R&B elements with her Ghanaian roots.
Plus, Nana has a rare Nicki Minaj cosign. Now, she releases her highly-anticipated new visual for “Yeno Ntem.” Flaunt caught up with Nana via email to discuss her upbringing, the new visual, goals, and more!
Where are you located? How are you holding up during quarantine?
I live in Rotterdam, but usually go back and forth to the UK. During quarantine, I’ve been a full-time mom and using this time to write a lot of songs. At the beginning of the lockdown, I invested in a home studio. Because of that I’m able to keep making music in between the cooking, cleaning and taking care of my son.
Being Ghanian, what was the household like growing up?
Our household was a lot of fun, I grew up with my older brother and sister. We used to watch a lot of movies together. It was Sister Act all day, every day. Our parents weren’t very strict on us. They motivated us a lot to explore our talents and interests, also the reason none of us really did any crazy excessive things growing up. By the age of 10 or 11, we started going to church. We’re not the traditional Ghanaian household where families go to church from an early age. Music was always present at our household. My dad was a very good singer and passed that on to me and my siblings. We’d sing a lot and write songs together. My mom was the only one who doesn’t know how to sing [laughs], but she was the best audience and always our #1 fan.
What does it mean to start your own genre, Afro R&B?
I love having my own genre, it’s really cool and challenging at the same time. It gives me an advantage, because I make the rules. I decide what is and what isn’t Afro R&B. I call it Afropé, because it’s a mix of European and African sounds, and of course different languages. I sing in English, Twi, French and sometimes even Dutch. Whatever vibe I feel like when I’m working on the song, whatever goes best with the music.
At what point did you realize music could be a career for you?
When I was 12, I performed at a high school talent show. The feeling that I got when I stood on stage and entertained people with my music was the moment that I immediately fell in love with performing and making music.
Your last single “Undeniable, who or what inspired this one?
Actually, this is a very cute story. The song was inspired by my love interest at that moment. We were in a long distance situation, which made it really complicated. When I was recording the song, we were FaceTiming. Even though he wasn’t physically in the studio, we’re still together during the process.
How about your new single “Yeno Ntem”, what inspired this new one?
“Yeno Ntem” is one of those feel-good songs. I really wanted to bring some joy and summer vibes, a song where people would want to have fun and dance to. It literally means ‘hurry up’ in Twi. I made the song last summer during my writing camp, where the vibe was completely different from now. It was hot, there were a lot of people in the studio. We had a really great time making the song and I was looking forward to performing it. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a bit longer before I can. I hope it’ll bring everyone some good, positive summer vibes during the lockdown.
What’s one thing you want fans to get from the record?
Life is short and precious. There’s enough bad and negative things going on in the world. If you have the chance, don’t take things too serious all the time. Seize the moment and have fun!
Best memory from shooting the visual for “Yeno Ntem”?
The best thing about the video to me, is the part where I FINALLY dance. I totally don’t know I had to dance, so that was quite big for me. I had so much fun learning the choreography and hanging out with the dancers on set, I really want to dance more in my future videos.
Who’s idea was it to have a dance party?
Definitely MINE!
Best part of motherhood?
The best part of motherhood is the unconditional love and hugs that my little man gives me every single day. He’s the most beautiful little human being I’ve ever seen. When I look at him, I‘m so proud and know that he is and will always be my biggest accomplishment in life. Being a mom and raising a child is not easy, but it’s the best thing in the world.
What’d you learn from opening for Nicki Minaj in Amsterdam?
This experience taught me that anything in life is possible and everything can happen as long as you believe in yourself. The fact that Nicki chose me to open up her show with 17,000 people in Amsterdam is something that I could never imagine. She’s a real one.
What are some goals for yourself at this point of your career?
Right now, I’m finishing up my next EP dropping some time in July. I still have to pick a date. After I go in full album-mode, the goal’s to drop my debut album by the end of the year. Besides that, I’m also focusing on becoming an established artist: inspiring and empowering other female artists through my music.
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