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Jun 28, 2021
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Aya Nakamura: Inside the Worldwide Rise of France's #1 Popstar
“My answer is that when you’re an artist, you’re supposed to evolve. Otherwise, you’re no longer living your music. I think as long as you stay true to who you are, if you’re still feeling things, you’ll always be able to put that energy back into your work… at least if you’re passionate.”
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At just 29, the singer’s hits have already travelled the world — so much so that she was the natural choice to represent Francophone music at the Paris Olympic Games.
“I wonder if I could have done the same thing if I’d been born twenty years earlier,” she reflects. “It definitely wouldn’t have been as easy… Especially because there’s something new here — a Black woman singing in a completely distinct and unapologetic style, without waiting for doors to open, speaking directly to her audience through different platforms.”
Now striking out on her own, Aya Nakamura is turning the page and launching a new chapter — with the announcement of her very first signing.
The Beginnings
Born in Bamako, Mali, Aya arrived in France just a few months later. Coming from a family of griots — West African storytellers and musicians — she grew up in Aulnay-sous-Bois, in a household where music was already part of everyday life.
“It’s kind of special, because my mother was a singer and would’ve loved to have a career. Now, I’m doing it in her place — almost like a form of redemption for her. I want to go all the way, and I hope it can inspire other women to pursue their own dreams.”
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Her real start came in 2014, when she posted her first track, "Karma," on Facebook. A fan of the TV series Heroes, she took inspiration from the character Hiro Nakamura to create her stage name.
The turning point came in 2017 with her debut album Journal Intime, now certified platinum. Freshly signed to Rec. 118 (Warner Music France) at the time, Aya Nakamura laid the foundation for the sound that would come to define her. On the track "Oumou Sangaré," she paid tribute to her Malian heritage — a connection she’s been feeling drawn to again.
“Lately, I’ve been thinking more and more about doing something like that again,” she says.
Olympic Recognition
It was in 2018 that Aya Nakamura reached international acclaim with the release of Djadja. The track topped the French charts for two consecutive weeks and quickly crossed European borders. In the Netherlands, it made history: for the first time since Édith Piaf in 1961, a French-language song performed by a woman hit number one.
That meteoric rise was solidified with the release of her second album, Nakamura, in November 2018. Driven by diamond-certified singles like Copines, La dot, and Pookie, the album became an unprecedented commercial success for a Francophone artist — certified diamond in France and double diamond abroad. Today, it stands as the most-streamed French-language album in Spotify’s history, with over 2 billion streams.
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Following up with two more albums — AYA and DNK — Aya Nakamura reached a symbolic high point on July 26, 2024, performing on the Pont des Arts for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games. Accompanied by musicians from the Republican Guard and the French Army Choir, she delivered a historic performance that drew a record-breaking 31.4 million viewers — the highest television audience ever recorded in France.
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“People keep calling it ‘iconic.’ It took me six months to truly realize what I had done. In the moment, you’re just pushing forward, head down, working hard to deliver something you’re proud of. Then, when you step back and see the impact, the controversies... it feels like a movie. In the end, I feel like I succeeded.”
On February 23, 2025, another milestone: the "Djadja" video surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube, making it only the fourth French-language song to reach that number — and the first by an African artist.
Next stop, the Stade de France (France’s biggest venue, with a capacity of 80.000 people)? “Yes, but not just yet,” she says. “I want to take my time. In France, it feels like the final step, and I still want to share more shows with my audience before experiencing that big moment.”
Beyond Borders
How can one explain such a rare ability to transcend language barriers? Aya Nakamura pauses before answering.
“I didn’t realize right away that I had an international audience — it really grew gradually,” Aya Nakamura reflects. “People would tell me, ‘You’re being listened to all over the world,’ but it was really through interacting with fans on social media and stumbling across videos that it hit me. I came across fan accounts in Brazil, in Venezuela… I also travel, and I hear my music everywhere — in the U.S., in Thailand. But I don’t create music for a specific territory. I just try to offer something I feel, and if it can travel far, all the better.”
That global dimension is also reflected in her collaborations. After teaming up with Colombian superstar Maluma for a remix of "Djadja" in 2020, she joined forces with Nigerian artist Ayra Starr in March 2024 for a reimagined version of her hit "Hypé." The track climbed to number 17 on the UK charts — a rare feat for a song sung predominantly in French.
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“I think music is energy. The tracks that stand out the most are often the ones where I express what I’m feeling as deeply as I can. People don’t just listen for the lyrics… It’s like when I used to listen to artists like Rihanna without understanding everything she was saying. What resonates with listeners is the energy I’m giving at that specific moment — and also the blend of influences that’s rooted in me and that people can feel.”
This authenticity, paired with her distinctive vocal style and a French language she’s reshaped on her own terms, has forged an instantly recognizable artistic identity.
“I don’t know if that’s what makes the music universal, but I think the honesty I bring to it, the constant drive for something new — not just chasing trends, but putting out things I’m 100% proud of and never compromising artistically — maybe that’s what connects with people. I try to follow my instincts, my creative impulses, while maintaining a high level of quality.”
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In February 2025, Aya Nakamura surprised fans with the release of "Chimiyé" — a track that marked a notable shift in her discography. Collaborating with French rapper Alpha Wann and his team (JayJay, Selman and StillNas), she ventured into previously unexplored territory, blending R&B and even elements of spoken word.
“I gave myself the challenge of making something more rap-oriented, without being a rapper,” she explains. “That’s what pushed me out of my comfort zone. I like to stand out, including with the people I work with. Some of my producers don’t even listen to my music — and that creates room to experiment. Without those encounters, I would’ve never made songs like 'Djadja' or 'Pookie.'”
Aya NakamuraMarion Gomez/Billboard France
From Music To Fashion
Aya Nakamura’s cultural influence now extends well beyond the realm of music. In February 2023, she was named global ambassador for Lancôme, marking her entry into the exclusive circle of luxury brand muses — a milestone that would open the door to a new world of opportunities.
On May 6, 2024, she received one of the most coveted invitations in fashion: the Met Gala in New York. With her appearance, she became only the sixth French musical artist to walk its legendary red carpet, following icons like Catherine Deneuve, Vanessa Paradis, Lou Doillon, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Carla Bruni.
Just weeks later, on June 23, 2024, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour personally selected her to perform her single Fly at the prestigious Vogue World Paris show, held in Place Vendôme. Dressed in a custom haute couture gown by Jean Paul Gaultier, Nakamura took part in a striking celebration of music and fashion.
“I really love fashion and the creative universe it represents,” she shares. “I’m enjoying getting deeper into it. I absolutely loved performing at Place Vendôme and being part of this blend of music and fashion. I felt completely at ease — and I found the entire production of the event to be incredibly high-quality.”
Independent Now
Alongside her growing institutional recognition, Aya Nakamura has taken full control of her professional destiny. In a bold move, the chart-topping artist has officially stepped into independence by launching her own label.
“It’s a whole different experience,” she admits. “To be honest, I’ve always felt independent — especially when it comes to creative direction. I’m deeply involved in all the strategic decisions, from choosing the singles and setting release dates to selecting the producers and crafting the visuals. Becoming fully independent gave me a new perspective on the business side. I can make all the decisions and stand by them — whether they lead to success or not. I still have a team around me and I know how to let go when needed, but being able to oversee the entire process, beyond the creative part, is something I find really exciting. It matters a lot to me.”
This commitment to autonomy has also steered her toward a new role: producing new talents.
“I’ve already signed one artist, but no one knows yet: RnBoi. He’s young, just starting out, and it’s going really well. It happened a few months ago. I took the leap — I think he brings something different.”
Popstar and Mother
Behind the icon is a young woman — and a mother of two daughters. Balancing a global career with motherhood is a daily challenge, one she meets with unwavering determination.
“To be completely honest, it’s a bit complicated with fame,” she admits. “But part of my balance comes from trying, as much as I can, to live like a normal person. I go to the park with my kids, I cook for them — those moments are precious to me. It’s not always easy, and I sometimes try to stay low-key to preserve a bit of normal life, because I’m absolutely committed to maintaining that freedom and living fully in those moments, away from the spotlight.”
Despite the pressures of celebrity, she refuses to isolate herself.
“Oh, of course I still have fun — I go out! I’m young, after all,” she laughs. “As an artist, it’s important to pay attention to that — to remember to put yourself first sometimes, too.”
This article first appeared on Billboard France.
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