The Opener is The FADER’s short-form profile series of casual conversations with exciting new artists.
Naïka has an omnivorous vision for the future of pop. The French-Haitian singer built a dedicated following over the past five years thanks to her genre-melding twist on global pop music, informed by her upbringing as a “third-culture kid” who grew up all around the world (the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Kenya, France, and more). Now, she’s poised for a jump to wider stardom thanks to her upcoming debut album ECLESIA, due out February 20.
Naïka has always drawn on R&B and world music to expand what pop music is and means, but her latest shows particular finesse. Whether she’s singing in French, English, or Creole -- and whether she’s head over heels, unbothered, or exasperated by men/imperialism/the universe -- on ECLESIA she’s poised and assured.
That cool confidence is easily apparent on singles like “MATADOR,” where her vocals flit through a copse of impassioned guitar and pulsing drums, and “ONE TRACK MIND,” which reconfigures a Haitian konpa beat into a more approachable backdrop for Naïka’s anti-manchild manifesto.
I’m especially fond of the lovelorn groove underpinning “BARELY BARELY” and the semi-satirical day-in-the-life anthem “WHAT A DAY!,” where Naïka contemplates the banal suffering beneath the surface of our privileged Western lives.
ECLESIA is out February 20, with tour dates in Europe and the U.S. scheduled for the spring. The FADER caught up with Naïka to chat about the first CD she bought, the hidden depth in her song “MATADOR,” and a childhood favorite movie she recently rewatched.
What’s the coolest thing to do in your hometown?
I don’t really have a hometown because I moved so much my whole life lol, but if I were to consider Miami as my hometown, I think the coolest thing to do is go to Calle Ocho in the evening and listen to live music while eating Cuban food and a yummy coffee.
Tell us about the first album you bought and why.
The first album I bought was Black Eyed Peas Elephunk. What a record! I was a kid, and I went to a music store with my dad, and he let me pick only one CD to buy. I loved the Black Eyed Peas so much at the time, and elephants are also my favorite animal, so it felt fitting hahaha
What was the last movie you watched, and give a short review.
I love watching chick flicks to unwind and forget about what is going on in the world, and the last movie I watched was The Hot Chick by Tom Brady, hahahah. It was one of my favorite movies to watch as a kid, and it has so many good catch phrases.
When you’re not making music, how do you spend your free time?
Mmm it feels like my whole life revolves around music lol, but outside of that, I really love spending time with my friends and family and also I love escape rooms
What’s the best thing you’ve bought for $100 or less?
my toothbrush
Tell us about your favorite tattoo OR your favorite accessory.
My favorite tattoo is the little heart on my back because my friend did it for me in my living room. He did it with a stick and poke and it was such a nice memory.
Describe the best concert you’ve attended.
Stromae. It was the first time I went to a concert alone too and it was the best time.
What’s the last thing you wrote in your notes app?
It’s the setlist for my upcoming show.
Show us the last meme you saved to your phone.
What’s a motto you think everyone should live by?
Treat others how you want to be treated
Explain a lyric of yours that people misunderstand.
My newer song “MATADOR” has a very deep and layered meaning to it that I don't think everyone fully catches onto. The song has a lot of metaphors about the system we live in and how much society is at the mercy and control of it.
What’s a song you’d want to cover and why?
I think a Sade song. I get a lot of people telling me that my voice reminds them of her, which is such a huge compliment.
Best advice you’ve gotten:
Listen to your gut, it’s the universe talking to you.
Worst advice you’ve gotten
“You have to be perfect.”
What’s the ideal level of fame?
Enough to be able to make a difference.
