This week, we’re excited to have Nalu, a versatile artist from Cape Town, South Africa, known for her soulful blend of jazz, R’nB, and acoustic soul join us for #LAChats. With roots in a family that values self-expression through art, Nalu’s musical journey has led to collaborations with prestigious institutions like Death Row Records and features in publications like Glamour and Cosmopolitan. Her latest single, “Malachite & Melanin,” is a heartfelt anthem celebrating womanhood, self-love, and spiritual wellness.

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Join us as we journey through the beginning of her career, her inspirations, her creative process and more.

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Let’s start by exploring your background and journey into the world of music. Can you share with us how your love for music began and what experiences or moments shaped your decision to pursue a career in the industry?

[NALU]: I am blessed to be born into an artistic family. I grew up listening to my parents singing around the house, with my mom playing the piano, my dad playing the trombone and my big brother playing the clarinet. Music was and is our deepest form of connection. My dad taught me how to play the guitar when I was 8 years old. We bonded over the colourful chord progressions of the Bee Gees, the Beatles and Bob Marley. I wrote my first song at the age of 10 – it was a love song about some make-believe love story. I knew then and there that telling stories through song was what my soul was called to do.

Growing up in Cape Town surrounded by strong women, how did your upbringing influence your musical tastes and the artist you’ve become today? Are there specific memories or individuals who played a pivotal role in shaping your artistic identity?

[NALU]: My family home was lit up with classical music, old school R’nB, South African Jazz, Broadway and Kaapse Klopse melodies. Every Sunday started with four-part harmonies while singing our church hymns, and ended with my aunties, uncles and cousins singing the songs of District Six at our family braais. My grandparents were iconic singers in their communities of Kensington and Schauderville. My parents introduced me to Broadway and musical theatre shows from a young age, and I fell deeply in love with the music. This amalgamation of different genres paved the way for my unique sound to come to fruition. My family’s beautiful influence planted the seeds for my artistic identity to grow.

Your journey has taken you from South Africa to Los Angeles, collaborating with Snoop Dogg’s producers at Death Row Records. How did this transition impact your approach to music, and what kind of international influences do you bring to your sound, especially in your latest single,”Malachite & Melanin”?

[NALU]: My Death Row Records experience was eye-opening. I learnt a lot – about myself, my artistry, the industry, the way others perceive art and the West Coast LA sound. My approach to music has shifted in that it’s become a lot more purpose-driven. I need to understand my ‘why’ behind every art piece; because it exists every time you create something. With ‘Malachite & Melanin’, I decided to merge my South African jazzy upbringing with the new school soul cadence. I found my flow within the beat, laced with a West Coast bass, and watched it come to life.

Now, diving into your latest single, “Malachite & Melanin,” you described it as a reflection of your spiritual journey. Could you walk us through the inspiration behind the song and how your personal growth and spiritual experiences influenced its creation?

[NALU]: I wrote ‘Malachite & Melanin’ at a time when I needed to hear it; this song brought me back to myself. I wrote it to make me feel grounded again, to rediscover my peace within the unknown. You’ve gotta trust that what is meant for you will always find its way to you. I left home for the first time and opened myself up to embrace the change within my environment. I let go and let God; letting go of that which no longer serves me and nurturing that which does. I pray that my listeners feel this communal space of healing when listening to ‘Malachite & Melanin’.

As the writer and producer of “Malachite & Melanin,” along with collaborations with Chris Gutierrez and Teane Maseko, can you take us behind the scenes of the creative process? How did each collaborator contribute to the unique sonic healing experience promised by the single?

[NALU]: This song began with a guitar riff. It’s different every time. Sometimes it starts with the guitar riff or the bass line or the poetry that turns into lyrics. I played around with some chords and the final motif came to me. I wrote the lyrics and eventually decided that I wanted to develop the instrumental with bass, drums, keys and a trumpet melody. Chris laid the bass and the drums. Teane laid the electric keys and the drums. I wrote the music for the trumpet and got it performed by Matt, a session musician. I’m truly grateful for how the different essences of each musician came together so smoothly.

The themes of the divine feminine, self-expression, and the journey to self-love are central to “Malachite & Melanin.” Why do you feel it’s important to convey these themes in your music, and how do they align with your overall artistic vision?

[NALU]: I create art to celebrate womanhood, the divine connection from my spirit to God and the intricacies of our human experience. Every human has a story and every story holds value. Self-expression through writing, journaling, prayer or conversation is important for healing and working through our emotions to come out on the other side with new insights and ideas. I let go of any shame associated with my self-expression and I want my community to feel safe and confident to do the same.

The song emphasizes both the strength and vulnerability of femininity. How do you navigate and express this delicate balance in your music, and why is it crucial to explore these aspects in “Malachite & Melanin”?

[NALU]: It’s interesting how femininity is described as that which is delicate, vulnerable and soft only. Some of my strongest, most courageous moments were driven by my feminine energy; driven by my intuition, my creativity, and my decisiveness. Femininity is powerful. Femininity is leadership. Femininity takes risks and action with grace. It moves from a place of love, not fear. ‘Malachite & Melanin’ paints a picture where tapping into your divine feminine energy allows you to reflect, become self-aware and stay grounded.

In your own words, the single encourages listeners to practice self-care, and self-reflection, and engage in a deeper exploration of who they are. How do you hope your audience will connect with these messages, and what impact do you envision “Malachite & Melanin” having on your listeners?

[NALU]: I hope that my listeners connect more deeply with themselves through this song. I hope they feel closer to their soul purpose and practice the purest form of unconditional self-love. It’s what they deserve.

You mentioned that the song brought you back to yourself. Can you share more about the personal transformation you experienced while creating “Malachite & Melanin” and how it has influenced your perspective on your artistry?

[NALU]: ‘Malachite & Melanin’ showed me that anything is possible. As an artist, all you need is commitment, consistency and an unwavering belief in yourself, your art and your future.

10.Looking ahead, what can your fans expect from your ongoing collaboration with Death Row Records, and are there specific projects we can look out for in the future?

[NALU]: I’ve got an incredibly special ‘Malachite & Melanin’ music video dropping next month! I shot it with my dear friends; directed by Ryan Hing, founder of Evolve Agency, shot by award-winning DOP, Masedi Manyane and art directed by the talented Johara Hartley. I’m excited to release new sounds and share new artistic messages in the upcoming months.

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Check out some of Nalu’s visuals here before she drops!

Featured Image(s) Source: Supplied