Next Wave #693: Nadia Rose

Fearless, frank, and fierce...

You could say that Nadia Rose has always been destined for big things. Her family noticed her talent from an early age, sending her to BRIT School. Nurturing her creativity through drama schools, and her unwavering sense of self-belief, she was always set for stardom.

But for Rose, it wasn’t until her grandmother sadly died that she realised the time to make use of her gift was now. “This time last year, my grandma passed. I was doing music but the drive wasn’t there. Things were happening but they were slow and this was like a slap in the face… If I’m not doing this for myself I needed to do it for her.”

Family is obviously a significant driving factor for Rose. Cousin Stormzy has also been a supportive figure in her life. “He’s always been helpful even away from music, in music. Him as a person, he’s just always been very helpful and throughout this journey. He’s given me advice. We’ve had conversations, we’ve gone back and forth.”

It comes as no surprise then what’s inspired Rose’s new track ‘SKWOD’, having nothing but praise for her closest. “Basically I haven’t done this alone. Getting to where I am right now from where I was before, it wasn’t just me. It was family and friends, partners, everything. Close people to me who made this what it is now.”

Nadia is not one to prescribe herself goals, but the MC is gaining accolades she never dreamt of – in May, Rose was signed to Sony Records/Relentless Records. This was never part of the plan for the Croydon native: “To be honest, it was never something I really cared about. I was just creating, that’s all I do. That came along and it was right for me.” It’s clear. Rose is in this for the love of music.

Although she’s just hit the big time, Rose is well aware of the nasty side of music. Recently she tweeted, “I love music. I hate the industry”. Stifling individual creativity seems to be her biggest peeve. “The industry either tries to portray you as something that you are not, or wants you to be something you’re not.”

The 22 year-old is going into this armed with knowledge. Citing the Spice Girls as an inspiration, she’s part of a movement of female artists that are lighting up grime right now. Asked if she’s ever felt disadvantaged by grime’s male-centric nature, she says: “Not for me, no.” But more than that, Rose is barely perturbed by the norms of the industry and genre she’s walked into, proving she’s arrived ready for her ascent.

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Words: Nikita Rathod

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