South London born Neo-Soul artist Nia Smith has always been real with her fans, but this era is her most vulnerable yet.
Known for her brutally honest lyrics that resonate deeply with her fanbase, Nia’s music has been speaking to us since she blew up thanks to her cover of Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor” last year. Now she’s finally dropping her EP, “Payback Is A Dog”, marking a new era that Nia told us is, “bold, vulnerable, and raw.” Here’s what happened when we linked up with Nia to find out more.
Congrats on your upcoming EP, “Payback Is A Dog.” What are three words you’d use to describe this next era?
“Bold, vulnerable & raw.”
What’s the main message you want listeners to take away from this EP?
“You’ll never lose out from choosing yourself, love comes in many forms and it all starts within <3”
You’ve described “Payback Is A Dog” as quite an emotional project, inspired by “feelings of betrayal, anger, loss and rejection.” Why do you think you want to be more vulnerable with your fans in this next era?
“I think I like to keep a lot of things private and when I share music it’s not just about me. It’s about the fans and what they relate to and what from their life fits into it. I had a fan message me about Tough and how it helped them at school, that was such a lovely moment.”
If you could link up with anyone in the music industry who would it be?
“If I could link up with anyone in the music industry, it would have to be Lauryn Hill! I feel like she has so much wisdom to share, not just about music but about life as a whole. She’s someone who’s navigated the industry in her own way and stayed true to herself, and that really inspires me. Of course, making music with her would be incredible, but honestly I’d value just sitting down and having a real conversation about faith, about life, and about what it all means beyond the surface of the industry.”
What do you love most about being in the music industry right now?
“There’s a lot to love about being in the music industry, even with its challenges. At the core is creating something real and having it connect with people, that impact is special! You also get to collaborate with other creatives and grow through every experience, whether it’s in the studio or performing. And beyond that, there’s a real freedom in shaping your own sound, identity, and expression, while doing something you genuinely love.”
What do you think the music industry needs to work on/change?
“I really wish the music industry would put more meaningful support in place for young artists’ mental health. It’s such an important conversation, especially now when being an artist isn’t just about making music anymore…it comes with constant pressure to promote yourself, stay relevant, beauty standards…meet expectations from every direction. That added weight can be overwhelming, and a lot of us end up putting huge amounts of pressure on ourselves just to keep up. Proper support systems would make a real difference in helping artists stay grounded and actually enjoy creating.”
You’ve become pretty well known for your style, as well as your music. Who would you say are your biggest style inspirations right now?
“I’ve definitely developed a real love for fashion over time, and I care a lot about what I wear and how it reflects me as an artist. A lot of my style is inspired by men’s clothing…tailoring, structure, and silhouettes. However I like to balance that with more feminine touches to make it feel personal and expressive. It’s about finding that mix where I feel both comfortable and confident!”
“Right now, I’d say I’m really inspired by Veneda Carter! Her ability to blend streetwear with a polished edge feels effortless, and I love how she makes bold choices without it ever looking overdone.”
What’s been the most surreal moment of your career so far?
“I think one of the most surreal moments for me was seeing how many people showed up to my set at All Points East last year. It was really heartwarming! There are so many artists people can choose from, so to see that many people turn up for me meant a lot and made everything feel real.”
“Another big moment was releasing my first song, especially because it was so personal. Realising I’d actually put it out into the world was surreal, and even more so seeing how many people connected with it and found their own meaning in it.”
