RAPPER AND poet Nadirah Sabreen Seid aka Nadirah X unleashed her single Nobody’s Coming, at the start of this year, a stirring project featuring singer Olaf Blackwood.
Following her last album INK (2011) with executive producer Dave Stewart from Eurythmics, Nadirah X was destined for further global success. Indeed, the album gained much traction across the globe and saw her work with acts like Mick Jagger and Annie Lennox.
In truth it has been a long hiatus, but it is the life of a musician.
The Voice was granted an interview with Nadirah X to talk about working with Dave Stewart, working with legendary names, staying present and of course that new single and video.
VOICE: Before discussing your great new video release, let’s talk about the great names you have worked with and of course working with Dave Stewart from the iconic Eurythmics?
Nadirah X: I was introduced to Sly Dunbar (Sly and Robbie) by Jamaican singer/ songwriter Andy Livingston. I went on to record two singles, a remake of Denise Williams’, Silly (1997) and Reggae Buss with Shakira, Innocent Kru. Andy then introduced me to Steven Ventura who began managing me.
Steven helped me get performances across the island with stable mates Camar Flava, Kafinal (Jeff Wellz) and Sambo. Abijah was also instrumental in bringing awareness to me as an artist. He would call me on stage during his performances. I went on to become a winner of Caribbean Music Expo (CME).
It was after anchoring a performance at Chris Blackwell’s Island Village in Ocho Rios, Brian Jobson introduced me to Dave Stewart who was in the audience-It was a life changing moment.
VOICE: Let’s talk new single and your collaboration with Olaf an amazing singer-how did that hook-up occur?
Nadirah X: When you are in Jamaica all artists meet at some point! My friend Kafinal hit me up and said “Nadz you and Olaf link yet, you both in LA” I said “who” he was like “yeah man you know him” well he refreshed my memory because Olaf had a different name back then. He reconnected us via phone and it was very organic.
Olaf is a funny, intelligent guy so it was easy, like family, you know. Fast forward 3 years later I had an idea one night for a song. I sent it a producer called Ned Douglas and he sent me back a track, and I recorded the song.
I shared some of the tracks for my project with Olaf and he hit me back, said he’d like to do a take of the chorus for Nobody’s Coming. I was like sure, yes. Well, he elevated the song without a doubt and captured the emotions and essence of track. His voice and energy are incredible.
VOICE: And tell us about the video and who was behind it?
Nadirah X: An amazing collaborator and friend of mine Rillah directed the video. We had a different concept at first but in the end, we stripped it down. I think we captured the intimacy and the conversational vibration of the song.
VOICE: The track is hugely inspiring….
Nadirah X: The song is about emancipating ourselves spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. To critically think about what we’ve been equipped with. We have been taught to rely on something outside of us. We escape human responsibility. Really, judgement and joy are said to be after this present time. I just want us to start going deep in ourselves, saving ourselves, finding God in ourselves, and healing ourselves. “Nobody’s Coming to save us, we are saviours of we.”
VOICE: Lastly, what are you working on and what can we expect?
Nadirah X: I am working on the Never From Nowhere album written and produced by myself and Ned Douglas. We have some amazing features coming as well including Chali 2Na (Jurassic 5).
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