INTERVIEW: NELLA
Interview BY Gracey Mae
Nella! You're an incredible Afro-Fusion artist. You effortlessly blend different genres and really make them your own. Listening to you, we hear Makossa, Pop, R&B and Afrobeats. What was the soundtrack of your childhood?
If I had to pick one song, it would be from a Cameroonian artist called Ndeti Eyango, whom I grew up with. The song is called ‘You Must Calculer’, and it's actually one of the greatest Makossa hits from Cameroon. My music palette was also eclectic because my parents listened to all types of genres; Blues, Reggae, Makossa, Bikutsi, or even Afrobeat. My dad loves Fela Kuti.
You live in the States but you were born in Cameroon, where there are the Anglophone and Francophone regions. How does your heritage influence your music?
It's a huge part of me. Growing up in Cameroon, I had a hard time settling into my identity, because my parents were both Francophones but my paternal grandmother is Anglophone. The cultures differ a little bit. My parents chose to send me to an all English school in a French speaking town so I always felt very awkward. I think the music has helped me find my way. I'm very comfortable with my French side but because I studied in English, I'm also very comfortable with that. I'm able to navigate from one to the next. Sometimes my brain has a hard time catching up because I could be speaking one word in French, and I switch to English in the next second. You’ll see that in the music as well, where I am placing multiple words in my lyrics, I go from English to French to Pidgin to my native tongue.
What language do you dream in?
I dream in French.
That’s pretty cool! It's rare that we come across female Afrobeats artist in the Diaspora. How have you found it making music for the Continent while being based in America?
The part where I make the music is what I enjoy the most, because anytime that I have the ability to create, I'm in a happy place. I can escape and be in my little bubble. The hard part is that I sometimes feel like I'm on an island, due to the fact that I am here in the US. I definitely yearn to connect with other artists, although they may not be based here, the culture lives in my heart. I try to remember that when I'm creating.
Do you find music therapeutic?
Very therapeutic. I wrote most of the songs during difficult times of my life. When I had to remind myself of who I was, of some of the dreams that I had, the commitment that I made to myself when it comes to pursuing my dreams and my goals, the friendships that I've lost, the times when my mental health was really down in the gutter. My music is my special place and if I can do it for the rest of my life, I would love to.
What's your first memory of music?
It would be my dad always singing in the shower and being a very good guitar player. He always played us songs when we were sad. My dad worked in a different city so we would have to travel sometimes for a long period of time to go see him. My mum couldn't be there because she was working in another city so every time she left, we were very sad. My dad would pull out his guitar and make up a song that would make us feel better. I think those were the first times that I associated safety and comfort to music. When I decided that I wanted to pursue music later, I felt like there were so many challenges in my life. I always had to hustle for basic things like food, having a home or a shelter so I always pushed back my aspirations of being an artist.
Was that struggle more of an internal feeling that you had to explore a more academic path, or was it external; family and friends saying that you should pursue something else?
It was both. In all African families, you have three paths; you're either an engineer, a lawyer or a doctor. Artistry is not necessarily valued in my country Cameroon. Maybe if I lived my entire life in Cameroon, where we were a little bit more comfortable, I would have probably had opportunities to pursue music but we relocated to a new country where we started from scratch. Seeing how hard it was for my parents to hustle, I just did not want to break their hearts. I said, “let me give them what they want, then when I'm in a better financial situation, I will do my best to go full steam ahead with my dream of becoming an artist”.
When you look back on your journey, how would you describe it in three words?
You can do anything! That's four but be who you are. Listen to your inner voice!
So inspirational. Let's get into your brand new song. ‘Danda Kidi’. You've said boldly on your social media that it's more than a title, it's a mindset. Tell us more.
The ‘Danda Kidi’ mindset isstaying in the game. Staying focused andrealising thatthe most important thing is making the right steps in the right direction, no matter how small they are. Slowly but surely, you will get to your goal. When I hear that song, it's like I'm in the trenches and I need a beat in the back of my mind to keep me going. It’s like I’m in the ocean and I have to take a deep breath before I plunge. Once I'm in the water and I'm pushing through, I just keep hearing that Danda Kidi, “Keep going. Don't stop, you'll get there”.
Do you have an example where it felt like you were in the ocean?
Yes, I think I'm only making my way out in this specific area now. I spent a lot of time not living my life the way that I wished. It's only when I started writing about a year ago that I felt like I could take a breath. For a long time, it felt like I couldn't breathe but I was functioning. It definitely affected my mental health. I was a functional, anxious being. I felt like there was much inside of me that I needed to release because I had been living my life differently, I hadn't been 100% myself. Being an artist is a huge part of who I am so for those years, I felt like I was underwater. I could see and I could hear but I couldn't feel.
You made it out on top like you always do! You've always been innovative. Let's go back to high school and talk about launching a Hip-Hop club.
Dance has always been part of my family. My mum was an exceptional dancer and she's a big part of why I'm doing this. She also had the chance of pursuing that path but she ended up being academic. We always danced at home and it didn't matter which genre. Hip-Hop, Makossa, Bikutsi. When I moved from Douala to LA, I went to James Monroe High School. They did not have any after school clubs which was weird to me; in my old school in Douala, we had so many programmes and I was l in a dance club. So it was like, “We have to do something to help take us off the streets”. James Monroe was in an inner city area where there was a lot of gang violence. A lot of perverse activities that kids were unfortunately getting exposed to. That was one way for myself and my friends to do more positive activities. Thankfully, the school co-signed and we created our first club. We were the first Hip-Hop club. We put up the first concert - a talent show - even after I left the school, it continued. It was really cool.
You gave back then. You’re giving to us now. You have a song called ‘Jeje’ which in Yoruba means slow. Is it better to go fast and alone or slow and together?
In the little years that I've lived in life, I don't think everything is black and white. I think it depends. The most important thing is learning how to pivot whatever route you choose. Sometimes it's better to take your time. Sometimes it's good to recognise when to really pounce on an opportunity and push. Of course, collaboration is always welcome because multiple minds are better than just one. Learning how to pivot would actually get you very far.
Words of Wisdom! When we look at you, your fashion sense is insane! You effortlessly fuse elements of Africa (whether it's the colours, the beadwork, the jewellery) with striking silhouettes that are definitely more futuristic and more Western. Who is your inspiration?
I have so many. There's not one. The reason why you see so many elements in my style is because there are so many women that I admire. If I had to name two, they would be Tiwa Savage and Tiana Taylor. I like what those ladies are doing.
I can definitely see both Ts in you. I also see you really embracing more natural hairstyles. For any black girls that are still on that journey of embracing their hair and their roots, what would you say to them?
I would say do what makes you feel happy. I'm not one to say, don't wear your 30 inch, 613 weave. If that makes you feel happy, you wear it but know that your hair is beautiful. You're as beautiful when you're wearing a weave as you're when you're wearing your natural hair. We're normalising our texture in 2025 and it's just as beautiful. We do it better, whatever we choose to do.
Honestly, truer words have not been spoken. If you were going to be speaking to 13 year old Nella, what would you say to her?
I would tell her to recognise her worth and to be proud of herself, to know that she's enough and that everything that she needs is inside of her.
What a star! What else does 2025 have in store for Nella?
2025 is definitely going to be the year of realisation, amen! I am working towards releasing my EP. It’s very nerve wracking but freeing as well. I can't wait to share that with everyone.
Lovely! Do our readers get an opportunity to see some of this music live in person?
I am working towards that. I enjoy performing and I enjoy singing in general. When that opportunity comes, I hope everybody enjoys what I created and can see it live so that's something that's in the pipeline.
I love that. Thank you so much for joining us on Tirade World. Do you have a message to your friends, and your family?
I want to thank you for your immense support, that's what keeps me going. I am more than excited to share this new project with you, and I would love for you to continue to walk with me throughout this journey so that we can grow together.