EXCLUSIVE FLVR RADIO INTERVIEW WITH NOMINA

"Nomina is living proof that the power of words and music cannot be compartmentalised. This power is not limited by genre or style. The German singer-songwriter from Botswana with the [...]

Bulilima’s finest, Nomina making waves abroad

„Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Correspondent
Nomina’s music videos on internationally acclaimed MTV Base and hearing her music blazing radio charts in the United States, one cannot believe that she is a girl who grew up in the thicket of Tjankwa in Bulilima district.

For Pamela Nothando Bhulu who uses the stage name Nomina, growing up from being a village entertainer to gracing airwaves in Europe and the US is a dream come true.

From a young age, she always told her family and those around her as they sat around a bonfire that she would one day go to Europe and make it big there. By then, this sounded like a dream with most dismissing her ambition as daydreaming.

But as the Kalanga phrase Nlomo unolowa (umlomo uyaloya) attests, her words indeed came true when she was invited by her best friend, Linda Assimwe to join her in Germany.

With her musical dream slowly being fulfilled, a hard-working Nomina quickly took up lessons in the German language. She also had a business degree from a university in Botswana.

Hidden in her closet was the idea to pursue her musical journey that started way back in the village.

The name Nomina, according to the musician, means: “I found myself”.

She says the name is also an embodiment of how versatile she has evolved as an artiste.

With the help of veteran broadcaster Ezra Tshisa Sibanda, Saturday Leisure recently caught up with the singer and storyteller who has already taken the international stage by storm.

Nomina’s music fuses RnB, Soul, Pop and delicate electro-beats with emotional depth, lyricism and an immaculately expressive vocal-style. This shows she is not limited by genre or style.

The Germany-based singer-songwriter who once stayed in Botswana, is giving audiences a new, international, fresh and vibrant sound that is laced with African rhythms. Those that have sampled her works say she is the greatest Kalanga musician of this generation.

Speaking to Saturday Leisure, Nomina took this reporter down memory lane and said her journey to Europe was one that was a long time coming.

“I come from koTshankwa, koBhulu. I stayed there till I finished my Grade 7. My parents worked in Botswana so I used to spend holidays with them in Gaborone. I finally joined them for my high school and relocated to Germany when a friend invited me.

“Since then, I haven’t looked back and have been pursuing my music career here,” Nomina said.

The charismatic performer has generated a powerful buzz around her due to her distinctive song-writing. She has often been compared to artistes such as Sia, Alicia Keys and Lira.

Starting out with a music band in Botswana named Desert Crew, Nomina has worked with Germany-based hip-hop bands among them Wailing Trinity, Later Accoustic Aduo and Roots Worries.

The singer’s recent single I Still Stand has shown without a shadow of doubt that she is destined for international superstardom.

She said her debut album that will be titled I Found Myself will take people on a journey of passion, fun, misery, pain, hope and love.

Following the phenomenal success of her singles Amadlozi and Fetish Daddy, which attracted millions of views on YouTube, it is crystal clear that Nomina’s talent, passion and unique cross-cultural sound and style speaks powerfully to the hearts and minds of those listening across the globe.

“Amadlozi held position one on the US Radio urban charts for weeks after its release and the video was featured on MTV and MTV Base. Fetish Daddy is playing on BBC, Phoenix FM and many other major radio stations globally.

“With my innate ability to fuse the bold and beautiful as one, my music dives into thought-provoking and highly relatable emotions,” said the songstress.

Nomina said she seeks to help, heal and unite people through her music.

With her first singles Mamaland (2016) and Don’t Cry Africa (2017), Nomina has already gained millions of fans in the global village if the views to her work on YouTube are anything to go by although being in a foreign land has not been all that rosy.

“Staying in a foreign country is not easy at all as there are so many challenges which are mostly cultural differences including racism at some point. It’s a long process to adapt, but I tried to fit in where I could.”

While trying to adapt to the new country, Nomina said the huge expectations from people back home have also had a strain on her.

“On the other hand, I’ve also had to deal with high expectations from people back home who believe that being in such a foreign country is being in some kind of paradise. Well, I must say it’s a struggle to be a foreigner, but if you have genuine goals and you strive for more, you might find support along the way,” she said.

Fortunately for her, her strong character has seen her being made an ambassador of World Peace Berlin in association with the United Nations. Not forgetting her countrymen, she is using this role to improve the lives of her countrymen as she is mooting ways to alleviate hunger.

“As a UN Ambassador, I’ve a project I’m working on. We have 17 sustainable goals for the UN, so I decided to start with hunger meaning stopping hunger in Zimbabwe. I felt like I had to start in Zimbabwe especially in Plumtree, where I was born.

“So I am still working on this project with World Peace Berlin with the hope to fulfil it in association with Sizo Health organisation in Bulawayo.” – @mthabisi_mthire.“

Link to article

NOMINA BRINGS NEW VIDEO FETISH DADDY

“I want peace in my home…”

This lyric by Botswana-born singer and songwriter Nomina has been stuck in my head all day. The words are from her brand new single, called “Fetish Daddy”.

No, don’t grin like that, it’s not that kind of song. Rather, in spite of its name, it’s a surprisingly grim track that deals with abuse, and a modern sort of slavery. “Fetish Daddy” is a song that explores the fine line between love and bribery, with a view toward the sexual and emotional exploitation of young women.

And it all revolves around the above lyric, which Nomina sings over and over, in her haunting, slightly sultry voice. Her lyrics, paired with a powerful music video, tell us why so many women get trapped in situations they don’t desire.

It’s exactly this want for a peaceful home, and for safety, that leaves them vulnerable to sexual predators. The beginning of the video, in which an older, opulent man sticks a wad of bills into a young girl’s hand, showcases that exactly.

The video, which is gloriously realized, catches the faint look of surprise on the girl’s hand, but also immediately the delight that she’s filled with at seeing the money. This invokes themes of poverty, of a life spent dreaming of things you can’t afford, which sadly, is a reality for many of us.

Immediately, the man wins over the girl’s trust. And he clearly doesn’t deserve it. Later, we see him go home to another woman who waits for him, and just after he hugs her, he slaps a female employee on the butt, causing the disgust of his girlfriend.

The reason why I talk so much about the video is that it works so well in combination with the song itself. The lyrics paint the picture of what goes on inside these women’s minds, and how they get to be in such situations.

As for the voice, Nomina has such delicacy, such secret fragility, combined with this unknown, surprising strength. It makes her the perfect person to sing this, as she can easily voice both the innocent, naive victim, as well as the girl who escapes this hell.

Link to article: https://musicexistence.com/blog/2020/07/01/nomina-brings-new-video-fetish-daddy/

Nomina Brings New Video “Fetish Daddy”

Music

June 30, 2020 Evelin

Nomina Brings New Video “Fetish Daddy”

It’s fairly rare for a musician to create a song that is both catchy, as well as meaningful, yet Botswana native Nomina manages to do just that. In her latest tract, appropriately entitled “Fetish Daddy” Nomina sings about a very real, very disturbing reality. Yet she does so in such a way that you can’t tear yourself away from the music.

It’s a clever method to raise awareness, by combining it with an attractive piece of music.

“Fetish Daddy”, as the name suggests, is a song about sexual abuse, and particularly about older men preying on young, vulnerable women. Set against the backdrop of lively Afro beat, “Fetish Daddy” leaves the listener with mixed feelings.

On one hand, we’ve got the tune itself, where everything, from the rhythm to the beats is happy, and seems positive. But then, you have the complex lyrics, which raise a serious question.

Naturally, the fine way in which Nomina’s beautiful, serene voice, and the music combine only adds to the appeal of the tune.

Last of all, there’s the music video itself which is… disturbing. It documents the experience of being a young woman in this situation. The video starts with interposing shots of Nomina herself singing beside a pool, and then shots of a young schoolgirl being picked up by an obviously older man, who then gives her money, and the girl delights in it.

It is that scene alone in the video that makes the viewer cringe, and that’s exactly what a powerful artist like Nomina wants you to do.

Nomina, who is the official ambassador for “United Nation World Peace Berlin”, has a long history of putting out songs that carry great meaning, and that raise awareness about delicate issues.

Her tracks “Don’t Cry Africa” and “Mamaland” both received tremendous success and shot Nomina to worldwide attention and fame. And now, she returns, with a new cause, perhaps more pressing and more important than ever.

Cloudy On The Other Side – NOMINA, AMBASSADOR OF THE UN WORLD PEACE BERLIN, OPENS UP IN OUR INTERVIEW

Nomina, you have just released your new single ‘Fetish Daddy’, which is available worldwide. The YouTube video has already over 1m views.

1. Did you expect such a positive vibe?
I was hoping for a positive vibe of course, but I didn’t expect it to happen this fast.

2. What were your intentions for writing the song “Fetish Daddy”?
My intentions were to write a song, that is not merely to entertain, but to tell a story, send out a message and draw attention to a real issue of sexual abuse and of girls and women being forced into relationships and acts that they do not desire, but also manages to be a fun song to enjoy listening.

3. Have you encountered negative feedback because of the sensitive topic of the song yet?
Yes, at times, some people didn’t want to identify themselves with the topic of the song „Fetish Daddy“ because the song addresses a tabu theme. Most people do not want to be confronted with such.

4. You are performing at the Worldpeace Day in Berlin this year! How did you get into the event?
Yes I’ll be performing at the World Peace Day-Berlin this year because I’ve been appointed as the ambassador of the UN World Peace -Berlin, representing Germany internationally.

5. Are there any memorable moments on stage so far that you want to share with us?
Yes, the time when I performed with the roots warriors at reggae in Wulf, Germany and pulled the crowd, without us having rehearsed.
The other time when I performed at a charity Gala in London, where by I had to keep on repeating the high notes in order for people donate more money for charity.

6. You grew up in Botswana. Are there any African elements that you usually incorporate into your songs?
Yes I grew up in Botswana. I like to fuse modern music with traditional Southern African elements that is why I also work with some producers ( beat makers) from Botswana so I do not loose touch with my roots. I was born Zimbabwe, so both countries have an impact on my my African elements.

7. You currently live in Germany. Are there any plans for you go back to Botswana someday?
Germany has become my home and am proudly German, though Botswana will always remain my home too since I grew up there, So yes I love both counties and wouldn’t mind living in either one of them.

8. You also write your own songs. At what age did you write your first one?
I started writing lyrics and melodies at a very tender age as soon as I was able to read & write. I think at the age of 8, i’d use text books as lyrics and make a song out of that.

9. Do you remember the first line of your very first own written song?
Yes „Every time am wondering i look at you and me, Sometimes when I look up the sky I imagine you and me by the waters of the sea so come back and do me right coz you know I’d never do you wrong, Come back coz you know we are right for each other…etc.

10. By what music were you influenced when you grew up?
I listened to a lot of gospel music, RnB, Soul, Kwaito, Reggae and many more.

11. Do you play any instruments? If so, which one was your first one that you learned to play?
My instrument is my voice. I can play a bit of percussion though.

12. Since you are writing your own songs, can you explain your creative process?
Usually, an idea crosses my mind and i record it on my phone so I do not forget the idea. I then find some time to write the lyrics and the melody, if I feel like I am ready then I record the whole idea on garage band and send it to my producer who then creates a suitable beat or instrumentals based on my melodies. We work together till we are both happy with the results. After this I go to a professional studio and record the song. At times it’s vise versa, I receive a beat and I write the lyrics and create melodies to it.

13. What are the principles of songwriting for you?
It is important to have an idea and an imagination of the story you want to tell. Don’t bother about the structure of the song first. Put down on paper whatever you feel at that moment. All will fall into place later on.

14. Is there a hidden message in your songs?
Not really because I want people to understand the story behind my song.

15. What do you think are elements of a hit single?
Oh thus a difficult question, I guess. I think it is not easy to tell if a song can be a hit or not because they are so many great songs out there but they are not necessarily hits, but on the contrary, I believe a hit song has to have a catchy tune, which most people can relate to.

16. Who is producing your songs?
I produce most of my songs with Orchidan Waworka based in Germany, but I also work with some producers like Rekesh Dukaloo from Holland.

17. How would you describe the music you typically create?
It is a blend of electronic composition, with African tribal special sounds. It´s something quite unique, I think. It is a sound that doesn’t necessarily have a specific genre although I would describe it as future experimental Afro Pop with house-electro elements and at times reggae elements too. I like to fuse modern music, like (Pop/ RnB) with traditional Southern African elements. It could be in the form of instrumentals and/or just using my African languages like Setswana, Ndebele or Kalanga, as well as English. I always try to push the African sounds upfront to give them emphasis.

18. If it wasn’t for your music career, what would you wanted to become growing up?
An actress or tv presenter.

19. You released 5 singles so far, which of your songs do you personally feel is your best one and why?
Mhhh.. I love all my songs, I don’t think it’ll be fair to choose, I feel like each song has it’s own character, so that makes it a bit difficult to choose the best. What I have realised though, is that my voice has definitely improved within these last 3 years.

20. What part of making music do you find most creative and why?
Working on a song idea and watch it develop into a full great song and of course writing video scripts, being at set playing the role or character you imagined. I’d say the creation and production process is the most creative for me.

21. To break into the music business can become demanding. What do you find most challenging as an artist?
The thing is, everybody wants to sing nowadays, wether talented or not, the market is packed with great music and very bad music, so to really make it as an Artist you need to work hard on your self and your talent. You have to be outstanding and recognizable, be patient and a bit of luck might do too. You must be strong to hear that NO so often, take in criticism. The often changing and updates of digital platforms is also a big challenge especially if you’re an independent Artist, it is a forevermore learning process.Oh not to forget the financial challenging part, music production, music promotion, marketing etc all this need to be financed.So it is a very big challenge for many up coming artists.

22. If you could bring back any musicians from the past to work with, which one would you choose and why?
That would be Miriam Makeba and Aaliyah. These two because I feel like, if their music were to be fused, then something similar as my music would emerge. Just a thought. I love the kind of music each of them made, very different. Mariam Makeba had this typical African sounds while Aaliyah did con-temporal RnB.

23. You have planned an album release called „I FOUND MY SELF” in 2020. What is the main message and the story for this one?
Nomina means „I’ve found myself.“ I was a teenager when I lost both my parents so I’ve been aware of my mission and that is to motivate disadvantaged people, give them hope, hence my slogan „ Inspiring For Change“
Thus why my Album takes us on a journey through passion, fun, misery, pain, hope and love. On the album I share my soul with the world.

24. Germany is one of the largest music industries in the world. What do you think about the German music market?
It is great that Germany is one of the largest music industries in the world, since I live in Germany now, it is an opportunity for me to test the market and try to establish my music career also in Germany.

Thank you for your time and good luck with the release!

Link to article: https://cloudyontheotherside.claudiaerecords.com/blog-postsfeatures/new-single-release-by-nomina-fetish-daddy

VOAZIMBABWE – Coronavirus Devastates Zimbabwe Musician

Pamela Nothando Bhulu, a Zimbabwean musician based in Germany, says most of her shows have been cancelled in Europe. She says this will devastate her life. The artiste, popularly known as Nomina, sings R&B fused with Afrojazz. (Video: Nomina)

Link to article: https://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/coronavirus-affects-zimbabwe-musician/5329931.html

Utshaya Kuzwele uPamela ‚Nomina‘ Bhulu Odabuka eZimbabwe

LONDON —

Kuhlelo Woza Friday silentombazane esakhulayo uPamela Nothando Bhulu owazakala kakhulu ngegama lakhe lokucula Nomina, ocula ekwele Germany.

UNomina udume okwamagama kwela Majelimani njalo ungene ngodumo olukhulu.

„Mina ngazalelwa ePlumtree eTshangwe lapho okuphuma khona ugogo umama ka mama. Eskolo ngangise Tshankwa Primary School ngihlala logogo ngasengisiya eGaberone ngaya hlala lemuli yangakithi, umama lobaba wami ophuma eBotswana. Ngasengisiya ke eMogoditshane Junior School and then afterwards ngaye Ledumang Senior School.

“Kuthe ke abazali sebebhubhile ngasengisiya eGermany lapho okuhlala khona umngane wami esasifunda sonke eLitumang and then ngasengisenza ke iA levels and then ngaya ecollege ngebusiness and then ngasengisiya ke eUniversity eAachen.“

Umculo wakhe uwupheka ekhonale eMunich. Igama elithi Nomina waliphiwa ngubani ?

„Igama lami uNomina elokucula ngaliphupha and l just liked the idea. Angikabi le album ephandle okwamanje but ngile ialbum which is ready for now. Senga releaser amasingles angu 5. Ngaqalisa ngo ‘Mamaland’ iremix yengoma kaYvonne Chaka Chaka then kwalandela ingoma yami engayibhalayo ‘Dont cry Africa’, ‘Baby love’, ‘Amadlozi’ which featured by abanawami, my brothers from Botswana and then kwalandela ke okwamanje u’Fetish Daddy’.

Nomina uqale esemncane ukucula kukanti umama wakhe wamenza wabalomdlandla wokuthi athande ukucula.

„Umama wami she is the one who influenced me ukubana ngibengumuntu oculayo ngoba umama wayethanda ukuhlabela kakhulu. Ngiyacabanga ngama weekend we would watch ama church choirs kuTV. She was really supportive of me ukubana ngibe ngumuntu ohlabelayo. Ingoma zami ngizama ukubana zibe lemessage so, nxa umuntu engalalela uDont cry Africa its about hope and then uBabie Love layo its about dealing with loss and then uAmadlozi its about amasiko ethu ukubana singawakhohlwa and then okwakathesi uFetish Daddy is about sexual abuse eyabantwana.”

Umculo wakhe ukuze udume kangaka kukhona abanye asebenza labo ukupheka loluluju.

„Ngisebenza labantu abanengi abaphumemazweni atshiyeneyo eAngola, Cameroon, America, Holland, Zimbabwe, Botswana. Yah so uproducer wami laye uvela lapha eGermany. Kuhamba kahle nje, kusocial media Dont Cry Africa did very well, Mamaland also and then Amadlozi laye okwamanje over 500,000 views on YouTube uFetish Daddy one million views on YouTube so l think l am doing quite fine ofcourse there is room for more.“

Ngomunye wabaculi beZimbabwe obukelwa lokulalelwe ngabantu abanengi kumakhasi okuzilibazisa, kusocial media. Tshiya umlayezo kubalaleli ungakahambi Nomina.

„Try and assist us to grow ngoba really imusic layo at the end of the day is business ngoba u have to invest a lot of money in the production. Abalaleli labo nxa bethanda ingoma basisapote ngokudownloader ingoma kumbe bastreame kumbe baye kuYouTube ba-subscribe and so on. So my songs they are there kumadigital stores onke and then kusocial media ngiku Facebook as Nomina and then Instagram Nomina_music.“

Kuhle ukubona abantwana bakithi bephakamisa igama leZimbabwe phetsheya ngemsebenzi emihle. UNomina usezingeni eliphezulu kwezomculo nguye ebesilaye kuhlelo Woza Friday.

Link to article: https://www.voandebele.com/a/zimbabwe-pamela-bhulu-germany-music-artiste/5359517.html

XTTRAWAVE – Music Review: Nomina – Fetish Daddy

Nomina’s genre mishmash on her latest single “Fetish Daddy” covers electronic and dance elements with reggae rhythms, synth melodies, and the closely mic’d intimacy of her pop vocals. It makes it a mellow tune that isn’t so much indefinable as it is endlessly identifiable, cross-sectioning myriad mainstream-leaning and definitively underground music with African roots. Nothing the artist is doing is new, per se, but the way in which she does it feels fresh and appealingly unique. To this fun and enjoyable song, Nomina brings a gift for mystical songwriting and hazy atmosphere that elevates the production above mere novelty.

On “Fetish Daddy” Nomina highlights on the never-ending appetite of men preying on vulnerable women. As she suggests, this song is about ‘adults who misuse their social status and power to oppress the less privileged and or underage children.’ For some, being a sugar daddy sounds like a pretty sweet deal. Since more and more sugar babies have taken on sugar daddies to make some extra cash, it’s clear being a ‘sugar baby’ – on the other end of the deal – can be pretty damn lucrative. This is the dream for many guys: no-strings attached sex where you live out your wildest kinks and fantasies.

But then there is the dark side of it which bears a significant hidden cost. That is the sexual violence. It still is shockingly common in our society and the impact of sexual violence goes far beyond any physical injuries. The trauma of being raped or sexually assaulted can be shattering, leaving you feeling scared, ashamed, and alone or plagued by nightmares, flashbacks, and other unpleasant memories. From these unfortunate experiences, the world suddenly doesn’t feel like a safe place anymore. You no longer trust others. You don’t even trust yourself. You may question your judgment, your self-worth, and even your sanity.

But Nomina’s softly luminous voice, carves out a refuge where love and happiness finds solace in each other. Her ability to turn on various sonic and thematic dime offers a fighting chance to blossom away from the persistent troubles of sexual violence. And it usually comes in the form of your self-worth and long-term happiness. This isn’t me preaching some moral high ground. In reality, it sounds like a bolstering of defenses—strong and unapologetic from such a singer to stand your ground and be mindful.

Watch: Nomina – Fetish Daddy

Follow Nomina: Facebook | Instagram

Link to article: https://xttrawave.com/music-review-nomina-fetish-daddy/

VINEMA UK – UK MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERE: Africa’s Queen of Strength and musical power ‘Nomina’ releases a colourful, beautiful and cinematic music video to accompany her ‘Fetish Daddy’ single

Let’s face it – we all love music that tells a story, but at the same time sounds really great. Whether it’s a smooth-flowing love song, a growing up story or indeed, a heavier subject, it fills you with the most incredible feeling, when told right.

One such song is Nomina’s brand new single “Fetish Daddy”, a mesmerizing track that almost forces you to sit still and pay attention. Zimbabwe-born and now residing in Germany, Nomina is the ambassador for the “United Nation World Peace Berlin”, and as such, she’s a young woman on a mission.

“Fetish Daddy” has remarkably upbeat vibes and an easy-flowing melody, almost deceivingly so, for in truth, it deals with one of the most serious and upsetting issue of our world – that of sexual abuse, something that millions of girls face today. The music video, in particular, illustrates this really well. It tells the story of a man who objectifies the women around them, treating them as little more than sexual playthings. It also tells the story of a young woman, presumably his lover, who gets tired of his sexist attitude and breaks free from him, understanding her own worth.

With its’ catchy, easy rhythm, “Fetish Daddy” is a most empowering tune. It guides listeners towards peace and breaking free, while at the same time bringing joy to their souls. What I love about this, both the song and the accompanying video, is that it’s obvious they are born out of great passion and desire to make something beautiful, but also meaningful, perhaps to help someone who is in a bad place right now.

To me, that’s equally important in the making of a great artist, not just talent. And it seems Nomina has it all – looks, a smooth, mesmerizing voice, ample talent, as well as great vision and a good heart.

But then, Nomina was never one for ‘easy’ pop songs. Having finished a business studies degree, she turned her attention towards her true passion – music, and conquered the hearts of millions of listeners with hits like “Mamaland” and “Don’t Cry Africa”.

And now, she’s putting the finishing touches on her debut album, which I must say I definitely look forward to, as this young woman has great potential in the music business, in my opinion.

Link to article: https://vinema.co.uk/uk-music-video-premiere-africas-queen-of-strength-and-musical-power-nomina-releases-a-colourful-beautiful-and-cinematic-music-video-to-accompany-her-fetish-daddy-single