This week Ryan Smith caught up with Nadia Smith who has racked up 20, 000 listens online…
IN THE last 12 months, Cape Town-born Nadia Smith has picked up thousands of listens for her music on music-sharing website Soundcloud.
This week, the 18-year-old hopes to get back to recording, and capitalising on her increasing reputation locally.
“I have been singing for years – at maybe the age of 10 I started singing in choirs, when I was in school at Scotland, St Paul’s in Irvinestown, Integrated Primary School and then St Fanchea’s,” explained Nadia, who moved to Fermanagh in 2000.
“Last year I was at my friend’s house and we put up a video on YouTube of me singing – and a lot of people saw it.”
One of those people was local music producer Joel Johnston, who told her that he’d be interested in getting her voice on tape.
“It was a great thing to happen, he did so much for me,” said Nadia.
“So we started doing recordings – we got in touch with rappers in America too and that’s how it all got started.
“The first one was one that I’d always wanted to sing, Beyonce’s 1+1 – and we did a rap of Little Kim’s, and I did my own cover of Nicki Minaj’s Super Bass.
“Joel actually wrote a song called ‘Growing Apart’, and we both had our own little part in it that we had to write.”
Collectively, the six songs have amassed close to 20, 000 views – which has delighted Nadia.
“We put them out gradually – the Beyonce one was the biggest. It gets me really excited – and makes me very happy,” she added.
And, Nadia hopes to get back to recording soon.
“I’m hoping to get some recording done this week – and when Joel comes back at Christmas we’re going to get more recordings done.
“I think Soundcloud is great – people get a chance to share their music, share their songs – and I think it’s great for getting your music out there.
“So I’m looking forward to the next few months.”
