Nakia

Nakia, an influential queer artist in the Austin music scene and beyond, has been capturing hearts with his commanding and soulful voice worldwide for over 20 years. He has shared stages with legendary performers such as Alejandro Escovedo, Sharon Jones, Willie Nelson, BB King, and The Muppets. Nakia is deeply respected for his contributions to the local music scene and his community service.

Nakia’s recent musical endeavors showcase his versatility and evolution as an artist. In 2022, he released an EP with five unique versions of his song “Unstoppable,” including Grammy-winning Dave Audé remixes, each accompanied by its own music video. 2023 saw the release of “Thrill-O-Matic,” a genre-blending single co-written with renowned songwriters Andy Stochansky and Jamie Hartman. The song’s innovative mix of pop, rock, and soul, along with its high-profile production team, has garnered significant acclaim, becoming the second most played local song on Austin’s Sun Radio.

Nakia’s upcoming album marks a bold new direction with an 80s synth-rock influence, showcasing his multifaceted talent as a writer, performer, and producer. The lead single, “Signal,” dropped on May 21st and the official music video was released on June 26th. He’s currently performing the songs live with his new band during a Tuesday night July residency at Sagebrush in Austin.

Nakia lives in Austin with his husband of 22 years, Robert, and their Bouvier des Flandres, Baker. He continues to inspire with his musical versatility, community leadership, and relentless creativity.