Being noticed by Billboard’s Editorial Director after uploading a debut song on Soundcloud (“Wolf And I”) isn’t an everyday thing for an independent artist, but when you combine a distinctly ethereal and powerful voice with visual lyrics that instantly pull you in — it makes perfect sense for self-described “left of pop” singer-songwriter Naïmah (also written Naimah). With a seemingly effortless approach and organic/electronic arrangements, her style pays homage to a long legacy of Black musicians in country, rock, soul, and pop music. Fittingly, her music was featured on Beats by Dr. Dre’s “Flowers for Black Women” on Apple Music alongside powerhouse artists like Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, and Solange. Her songs “Born To Be A Fighter” and “Before It Hurts” are featured in CW shows and featured on numerous Spotify editorial playlists showcasing weekly pop, indie, and emerging music around the world.

Her newest song, “Whose Side Are You On?”, is gaining major traction in Europe and the rest of the world thanks to heavy rotation on radio stations. The traction was such that less than a month after its release the song charted on the World Indie Music Top 100 Charts (#19), the Euro Indie Music Chart (#16), and the US Weekly Syndicated Top 20 Countdown Show. The lyric video directed by Naïmah and designed by Greg Fisk reached over 12k views on Youtube within the first 2 weeks of its independent release. In 2016 she was a winner in the International Songwriting Competition and in 2022 she made the semi-finals. Among a long track record of performances, she has performed for Stevie Wonder and was an invited guest to the White House during President Obama’s administration.

Underneath the surface of hooky melodies and approachable productions are lyrical stories with content of a thinker, an observer, and an artist to watch.