IN CONVERSATION WITH NANETTE MBILI, SINGER & SONGWRITER

South African Singer-songwriter Nanette Mbili—better known as Nanette—hails from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Following her high school graduation in 2020, Nanette took to cultivating a career in music, while studying towards a law degree. Shaped by a childhood immersed in the sounds of Whitney Houston, Brandy, Janet Jackson, and Beyoncé, Nanette's songwriting carries a therapeutic essence. Her deeply expressive and cathartic approach to R&B creates the perfect haven for raw emotion and soulful storytelling.
During South Africa's lockdown, Nanette channelled her creativity into writing and producing her debut project, Bad Weather, which was released in 2022. The album made a striking entrance, debuting at number 10 on Africa's Apple Music chart. Bad Weather has left a lasting mark on the South African R&B scene and earned Nanette a prestigious South African Music Award (SAMA) nomination for Best R&B Album in 2023. In December 2022, Nanette collaborated with Amapiano producer Kelvin Momo, appearing on “Imfula” and “Fool Me” from his album, Amukelani—and both tracks charted at number 1 on Spotify, YouTube Trending and Apple Music charts. Nanette solidified her position as one of South Africa's most exciting musical talents in 2024 with the release of her sophomore project, The Waiting Room. The album showcases her versatility and boundary-pushing artistry, blending elements of R&B, hip-hop, and Amapiano. Featuring standout collaborations like "Talk 2 Me" with Blxckie and BGRZ, and "Tonight" with Nasty C and Tellaman, The Waiting Room cements Nanette's reputation as a trailblazer in the contemporary R&B music scene, captivating audiences with her innovative sound and heartfelt storytelling.