We all have those songs that become the soundtrack to our lives, but how well do we really know the artists behind them? Meet R&B sensation Nanette and discover the story behind the music, up close and personal.
Durban-born singer and songwriter Nanette never imagined that music would be her career. Sure, she had a passion for singing, performing in church from the age of 9, and growing up surrounded by music, but being a musician wasn’t part of her plan. In fact, when she moved to Johannesburg in 2020, it wasn’t for the music scene but instead to study law at the University of the Witwatersrand.
But music’s crafty head kept peeping in, leading the star to release music on SoundCloud initially. And what started out as a hobby has led to a fully fledged career in music, releasing her second body recently—an EP dubbed The Waiting Room which follows her 2022 debut album release Bad Weather.
Nanette | SUPPLIED
“I remember while growing up in Sydenham, there was an Angelican church that would transform into a karaoke hall and host these singing nights on Sundays as a community event. And that’s where I would hear the old school RnB and all sorts of genres I didn’t know of. It was so loud that I could hear it from where I lived, and that is how I fell in love with music really,” she said.
The star, born Nanette Sphesihle Nobethu Mbili, was raised by her grandmother, which meant being exposed to her mom’s and aunt’s records of the 60s, 80s, and 90s soul music as well, which influenced her choice of sound. A natural move, if any.
“Before law school, I did a lot of theater—musicals in particular—and a lot of people would compliment my voice and would encourage me to maybe consider music. So when I moved to Joburg, I just tried it.
“I would juggle music and my studies because I was curious of what that life would be like. I knew I enjoyed music, being on stage, and all that, but I was always curious what being a recording artist would be like. There was no set plan; I just sort of dove into it,” she said.
Nanette | SUPPLIED
Nanette, the oldest of seven, describes her upbringing as lonely and being a rather curious kid.
“I grew up as the only kid at my grandmother’s house. The curious me was always trying to go to places I shouldn’t go, read stuff I shouldn’t, or even explore things that I shouldn’t. I had a very curious mind from a young age, and I was never afraid to jump into the unknown.”
Listening and writing music filled the void for her.
“I was big on writing while growing up. I remember a grade 5 teacher of mine, Ms. Smith, who recognized that talent, bought me an A5 book, and encouraged me to write some poems and all that.”
Nanette | SUPPLIED
Writing, specifically poetry, became her outlet, coupled with consuming music.
Years later, the writing has manifested into her music writing—looking inward to tell stories while also finding inspiration in others’ stories.
“Music means an escape for me; it is my world. Even if we would take away all the eternal factors that come with the music industry, at its core is the art, and that is what I bonded with even while growing up.
“Through music, I found parts of myself that I never knew were there, and I would have never known if it wasn’t for this journey.
“I want to be known as a consistent artist, a good consistent artist that kept true to herself. One who respected her craft and others who are also in the industry as well,” she said.
The music took over, dominating her time so much so that her school career suffered as she slowly uncovered what it was that she was meant to do, and that is music.
Her debut album did exactly what she intended for it, marking her place in the industry and proving to her that she is doing exactly what she is supposed to be doing. And that is music.
