Nadia Nakai Kandava is a South African rapper, television personality, and entrepreneur who has become one of Africa’s leading female hip-hop artists. She is known for her bold lyrics, fierce stage presence, and chart-topping hits. The talented rapper was the first female to win the prestigious Mixtape 101 competition and has worked with some of the biggest names in African music. Her personal life attracted worldwide attention following her relationship with the late rapper AKA.
Quick Wiki/Bio about Nadia Nakai
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Nadia Nakai Kandava (née Dlamini) |
| Nickname | Bragga |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 18 May 1990 |
| Age | 35 years old (as of February 2026) |
| Place of birth | South Africa |
| Current residence | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (South African-Zimbabwean) |
| Zodiac sign | Taurus |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | 130 lbs (59 kg) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Marital status | Single |
| Partner | Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes (deceased 2023) |
| Children | None |
| Alma mater | Monash University (Johannesburg), Fourways High School |
| Profession | Rapper, songwriter, television personality, entrepreneur |
| Record labels | Def Jam Africa, Bragga Records (founder) |
| Net worth | $1 million – $2.5 million (estimated) |
Who is Nadia Nakai?
Nadia Nakai is a Zimbabwean-South African rapper who has made a significant mark in the African hip-hop scene. Born to a South African father and a Zimbabwean mother, she grew up between South Africa and Kenya.
The artist gained national recognition after becoming the first female to win the Mixtape 101 competition on e.tv’s hip-hop show Shiz Niz in 2014.
She started her music career in the early 2010s and has since released multiple hit singles and albums. Nakai is signed to Def Jam Africa and runs her own record label, Bragga Records.
She has collaborated with major African artists including Cassper Nyovest, Riky Rick, and Vic Mensa. Her stage name “Bragga” comes from her love of the Fast and the Furious franchise, where a drug cartel leader named Bragga represented power and leadership.
The rapper has appeared on Netflix’s reality show Young, Famous & African, where she opened up about her life, career, and relationships. She is known for her confident personality, business acumen, and commitment to empowering women in the male-dominated hip-hop industry.
How old is Nadia Nakai? Age and birthday
Nadia Nakai is 35 years old as of February 2026. She was born on 18 May 1990 in South Africa. Her zodiac sign is Taurus, known for being determined, practical, and ambitious.
Nadia Nakai’s height, weight, and body measurements
Nadia Nakai stands 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm) and weighs around 130 pounds (59 kg). The rapper has a curvy build and is known for her striking fashion sense and confident style. She has black hair and dark brown eyes.
What is Nadia Nakai’s net worth?
As of 2026, Nadia Nakai’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $2.5 million. She has earned this fortune through her successful music career, television appearances, brand endorsements, and business ventures.
The rapper earns money from multiple sources including music streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Her albums and singles generate consistent income through digital sales and streaming.
She also earns from live performances, with her booking fee reportedly ranging between R80,000 and R200,000 per show.
Her partnership with Def Jam Africa provides financial stability and access to international markets. Brand endorsements with Reebok, Courvoisier, Sportscene, and Shell add to her income. Her own record label, Bragga Records, and the Bragga World app represent additional revenue streams.
Career
Early beginnings
Nadia Nakai’s journey to stardom began in the early 2010s when she appeared on e.tv’s hip-hop show Shiz Niz.
She made history by winning the Mixtape 101 competition in 2014, becoming the first female rapper to claim the title.
This breakthrough launched her into the spotlight and opened doors in the South African music industry.
Before focusing on music full-time, Nakai studied marketing, communication, and media studies at Monash University in Johannesburg. She briefly worked in advertising but soon realized her passion was in music and entertainment.
Music breakthrough
In 2013, Nakai released her debut single “Like Me” under Sid Records, owned by musician Psyfo (Sidwell). Her career took off in September 2014 when she was featured on the remix of Riky Rick’s hit song “Amantombazane.” The track became a massive success and established her as a force in South African hip-hop.
Family Tree Records era
In 2016, Nakai signed with Cassper Nyovest’s Family Tree Records, a move that elevated her career to new heights. During this period, she released several hit singles and collaborated with top African artists.
Her collaboration with Cassper Nyovest on “Tito Mboweni” became one of the biggest songs in South African hip-hop.
Solo success and albums
On 28 June 2019, Nakai released her debut album “Nadia Naked” through Family Tree Records and Def Jam Africa.
The album featured hit singles like “Imma Boss” and showcased her versatility as an artist. The project received positive reviews and solidified her position as one of Africa’s top female rappers.
In 2025, she released her second studio album “Braggacy,” which demonstrated her growth as an artist and entrepreneur.
Television career
Nakai co-hosted MTV Base’s Yo! MTV Raps South Africa in 2019, bringing her personality and hip-hop expertise to television audiences.
In 2022, she joined the cast of Netflix’s reality series Young, Famous & African, which follows wealthy African celebrities in Johannesburg. The show gave fans an intimate look into her life, relationships, and career challenges.
The rapper also launched her own reality show “Nadia: Beyond Bragga” on BET Africa, which airs every Saturday at 19:00 CAT. The series documents her personal and professional life as she navigates the entertainment industry.
Business ventures
In June 2021, Nakai left Family Tree Records to start her own label, Bragga Records. She officially launched the record label in November 2021, marking a new chapter in her career. The move showed her entrepreneurial spirit and desire to control her own destiny in the music business.
In October 2023, she launched the Bragga World app, giving fans exclusive access to her content and life. The rapper has also secured brand deals with major companies including Reebok, Courvoisier, Sportscene, and Shell.
Awards and recognition
Nakai has received multiple awards and nominations throughout her career. She won the Outstanding Hip Hop Artist Award at the Bulawayo Arts Awards and the Best Diaspora Award at the Zim Hip Hop Awards.
In 2019, she won the Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
At the 2019 South African Hip Hop Awards, she received multiple wins. She earned nominations at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) for Music Video of the Year (2018) and Best Hip Hop Album (2021). In 2022, she was nominated for Best International Flow at the BET Hip Hop Awards.
Most recently, in November 2025, Nakai received a nomination for Best Celebrity Personality at the National Film & TV Awards South Africa, recognizing her impact beyond music.
Is Nadia Nakai married? Boyfriend, dating history, and relationship status
Nadia Nakai is currently single as of February 2026. The rapper was in a relationship with fellow South African hip-hop star Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes at the time of his death in February 2023.
Relationship with AKA
Nadia and AKA started dating in late 2021 and quickly became one of South Africa’s most talked-about celebrity couples. They were open about their relationship, often sharing photos and videos on social media.
In a October 2022 interview with DRUM magazine, AKA described being in a “fantastic place” with Nadia, saying love was in the air.
The relationship brought controversy as it strained Nakai’s friendship with media personality Bonang Matheba, who had previously dated AKA.
The two women reportedly unfollowed each other on social media after Nadia and AKA went public with their romance.
Tragically, AKA was shot and killed outside a restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on 10 February 2023. The rapper was 35 years old.
Nadia broke her social media silence days after his death, writing: “My heart is shattered; this is not what our future was meant to look like. I can’t believe I said my final goodbye to you yesterday.”
Life after AKA
In the years following AKA’s death, Nakai has spoken openly about her grief and healing process. In January 2024, almost a year after losing AKA, she opened up about the gut-wrenching sadness and unbelievable grief she experienced.
She has maintained a close relationship with AKA’s daughter, Kairo Forbes, describing her as “the sweetest girl” who always wants to make sure everyone is okay.
In October 2025, Nakai revealed she would not date anyone in the entertainment industry again. Speaking on a podcast, she explained that her past experiences taught her valuable lessons about keeping her personal life private.
In January 2026, she stated she was ready to get married, showing she is open to love again when the right person comes along.
Previous relationships
Before AKA, Nadia was romantically linked to several high-profile figures:
Cassper Nyovest: There were reports of a brief romance between Nakai and Cassper Nyovest around 2013, before both achieved mainstream success.
Bandile Mbere: Nakai dated musician Bandile Mbere from 2016 to 2018 while she was signed to Family Tree Records.
Vic Mensa: In 2021, Nakai had a long-distance relationship with American rapper Vic Mensa. The pair connected on Instagram and exchanged flirty messages before meeting in person. They even collaborated on music together, but the relationship eventually ended.
Social media presence
Nadia Nakai has a strong social media presence with over 3.8 million followers on Instagram (as of February 2026) under the handle @nadianakai.
She uses the platform to share her music, fashion looks, behind-the-scenes content, and personal moments. Her posts regularly receive thousands of likes and comments from devoted fans.
The rapper is active on other platforms including TikTok, where she shares lifestyle content and connects with younger audiences. She uses social media to promote her music releases, brand partnerships, and her reality show. Her Bragga World app offers exclusive content for fans who want deeper access to her life and career.
Fast facts about Nadia Nakai
- Name change: She was born Nadia Nakai Dlamini but changed her surname to Kandava (her mother’s maiden name) when she was 16 years old.
- First female winner: Nadia made history as the first female rapper to win the Mixtape 101 competition in 2014.
- International upbringing: She lived in Kenya for about six years during her childhood and attended Fourways High School in Johannesburg before completing her education in Kenya.
- Multilingual: The rapper speaks multiple languages including English, ChiShona, Setswana, and Igbo.
- Boss nickname: Her stage name “Bragga” means “boss” and was inspired by a drug cartel leader character in the Fast and the Furious franchise.
- Reality TV star: She appeared on Netflix’s Young, Famous & African for three seasons before departing in 2025. She was reportedly not recast for season four.
- Record label owner: In 2021, she founded Bragga Records, making her one of the few female-owned record labels in South African hip-hop.
- Brand ambassador: She has represented major brands including Reebok, Courvoisier, Sportscene, and Shell.
- Reconnected with father: In August 2023, Nadia reunited with her father after 30 years apart, sharing the emotional moment with fans on social media.
- Entrepreneurial focus: In 2026, Nakai announced she is shifting her focus from club performances to entrepreneurial ventures, wanting to change how people access her content and brand.
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Wrapping up
Nadia Nakai has established herself as one of Africa’s most successful female rappers through talent, determination, and business savvy.
From winning Mixtape 101 to releasing hit albums and launching her own record label, she has broken barriers in the male-dominated hip-hop industry.
Despite facing personal tragedy with the loss of AKA, Nakai continues to evolve as an artist and entrepreneur, inspiring a new generation of African women in music.
References
- Wikipedia – Nadia Nakai
- TUKO.co.ke – Nadia Nakai’s bio
- NewZimbabwe.com – What Is Rapper Nadia Nakai’s Net Worth
- News24 – Nadia Nakai breaks social media silence after AKA’s death
- Sowetan – Nadia Nakai on parting ways with Family Tree
- IOL – Nadia Nakai launches her own label, Bragga Records
- BET – Hip Hop Awards 2022: Who is Nadia Nakai?
- TimesLIVE – Nadia Nakai embraces AI for professional growth
- IOL – Nadia Nakai nominated for Best Celebrity Personality
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