South African singer-songwriter Peleka Lwana, popularly known as Nia Pearl, might have dropped her sophomore EP Nia Lo today; however, the Queen of Gems is one who needs no introduction. Since her debut single “Liberty” in 2017, the Eastern Cape star has been a familiar face in the amapiano realm throughout the early 2020s, featuring in works from the likes of DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, and Kelvin Momo, among others. Known for her soothing vocals, honeyed delivery, and intimate songwriting, the New Money Gang crooner has her sights set on greatness.
Born in a home of eclectic music taste, Nia described her upbringing as being a conducive hotbed to the development of her musical palette. Being a girls’ girl was not the only heirloom she inherited from her older sisters but also their love for old school R&B and soul. In addition to being a child of God thanks to her father who is a preacher, Nia espoused some of his favourite acts in the game, and she further deepened her knowledge in music by taking a liking to her mother’s preferred musicians as well.
“Growing up, I was influenced a lot by my parents and my sisters. As the younger sibling, everything my sisters were listening to at the time, which was music from the 90s, was Brandy, Mariah Carey, and Boyz II Men – basically all the fun music that was popular during that era. I was also exposed to older sounds like Dolly Parton, who my mother also loved and used to listen to a lot back in the day. My dad used to listen to a lot of Dobie Gray and Marvin Gaye, and to this day I still go back to listen to all these artists for inspiration.
“During my teens, I started being a jazz person, listening to a lot of Billie Holiday and that kind of music. So, my inspiration when it comes to making music is very vast, including many sounds and genres,” Nia said.
Nia Pearl | SUPPLIED
Pearl touched on the release of her latest EP dropping on the 13th of September 2024. Aptly titled Nia Lo, the project features production from the like Kelvin Momo, Mas Musiq, and Stixx – names Nia singled out as being her choice producers in the making of the EP.
Nia presented her collection as “an ode to life” meant to depict the chiaroscuro of life by telling her life stories in song form. With life being an unknown journey to most and an invitation to scale hills and valleys, Nia Pearl spoke of her album as functioning as a companion, something that will hearten the listener to cherish life whilst also giving comfort when needed.
“My EP makes me very happy because when I think about every song that makes up the project, it’s exactly what I intended on doing. My intention was to tell the story of my life, my career, the challenges I’ve faced in the music industry, and how life has been difficult and good all at once. The EP is my way of saying here we are now, back here with an EP that I think is timeless, in my personal opinion. I believe it’s music that people will relate to and be able to come back and revisit in the years to come. It’s meant to feel like a hug to you. It’s meant to motivate you and encourage you to pray. Listening to it will make you want to dance and live life,” she said.
Nia Pearl | SUPPLIED
Nia also revealed that as a prayerful woman who relished quietude, music was the perfect medium to communicate her feelings. The EP, to Pearl, was her way of sharing a piece of herself with her followers.
“I am a very serene person, and I don’t talk much. I let my music speak for me. I love quietness, family, God and praying; this EP is my way of letting the world see who Nia Pearl is because people are familiar with me through the features I’ve done. So, this is my way of introducing myself and allowing my supporters to get into my head,” she said.
Speaking on the rollout of Nia Lo, she shared her excitement over the prospect of a forthcoming music video. While she conceded that it was still in incubation, it was with palpable elation that she revealed this piece of information. Nia expressed that her next move was to increase her visibility and create enough motion for fans she was felt she was depriving by being on the sidelines for too long.
“There’s definitely a music video coming out, although we are still brainstorming what kind of visuals we’d like to go with and what story we want to tell. It’s one thing I’m pretty excited about because I haven’t had anything out on TV since appearing on DJ Stokie’s “iPiano eSoweto” with Daliwonga. I also have more features with other artists dropping soon from their projects. For me, I just want to be more visible for the people that want to hear more from me but haven’t been able to because I haven’t been present enough,” she said.
Nia Pearl | SUPPLIED
Apart from the influences she adopted from her family, Nia looked over her shoulder to the times she used to give renditions of songs from iconic Mzansi acts such as the one and only Ma Brrr, Stimela, and SA’s “First Lady of Song” Sibongile Khumalo. Much of everything she did and knew now, she admitted, was stenciled from the artistry of legends who paved the way for her.
“I used to cover a lot of songs in the past. After graduating from music school, I used to do a lot of corporate gigs while also covering a lot of songs by Brenda Fassie, Stimela, and Sibongile Khumalo – that kind of thing. Even now, when I create my own work, I feel like my brain automatically and unintentionally draws a lot from that music. Sometimes when I listen to my own music, I’ll be reminded of a Leta Mbulu song I used to listen to because of her smooth, silky, and velvety voice. And that’s the way I love to sing as well.”
Nia Pearl also sang the praises of her contemporaries within the amapiano space.
“I also do draw inspiration from the artists we have in the country right now, artists who are doing incredible things and are amazing songwriters. I’m talking about people like MaWhoo and Babalwa M, who I’ve had the opportunity to work with and continue to motivate me,” she said.
Nia Pearl | SUPPLIED
With the rapid ascension of amapiano in the music space, the genre peaked during the 2019 – 2021 period after years of bubbling under in the fringes of entertainment and art. During that time, the music industry experienced a sudden power shift as amapiano usurped the attention of the masses, taking its place as not only the most commercially viable genre in the country but South Africa’s hottest commodity in the global exchange of musical knowledge. Nia credited open-mindedness while remaining true to oneself as the number-one thing musicians ought to master in the ever-shifting climate of the music industry to avoid getting relegated to the back of the pack.
“I think it’s important to be open-minded as a creative. I understand that we are individuals, and we have a certain brand we want to push, but it’s crucial to go with the times. For example, seven years ago, there was no amapiano. We had other genres that were huge in the country like Afropop, kwaito, and hip-hop. And there are people who were artists then who are now artists in the amapiano space, like myself. I found myself doing amapiano four years ago and in that space, amapiano became a huge part of my life.
“It’s important to know yourself, your essence, and what you stand for because then it will be easier for you to move with the times. You know, letting life and the music take you to new places without you forgetting who you are. I mean, I grew up listening to a lot of soul and jazz, and you can hear those elements in the music I do now in amapiano because that’s who I am and the person I was is still there,” she said.
Nia Pearl | SUPPLIED
Of all the tracks she’s released, Nia cherry-picked “Makubenjalo” as her favourite, a tribute to her mother and most loyal cheerleader.
“Most of the songs I’ve done are close to me, but the one I love the most is “Makubenjalo”, which is a song I wrote as an ode to my mother. It’s basically a prayer to God asking Him to keep my mother around until I succeed. My mother lives to see me happy and growing in my career. From day one, she’s been supportive, and I’d love to take her to see the world. That is what the song is about,” she said.
An ever-learning apprentice to the craft, Nia tinkered over the idea of expanding her musicianship beyond amapiano and also taking some steps back to re-explore the Afrosoul turf.
“I studied contemporary music, so I have a naturally versatile ear. I’d like to explore a lot. I can’t wait to go back and make Afrosoul. I’d like to explore Afrobeats, Afro-jazz, and some pop music. Some soft rock and indie music. And I’m at a point where my network is not only growing, I’m meeting new artists outside the piano circle, so I’m excited to see what will come out of that,” she said.
