SA rapper Nyota Parker named Apple Music Up Next artist

The announcement follows the release of her 12-track album titled INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS in late March. The project is an exploration of the tumultuous journey through the human psyche. It fearlessly navigates the inner chaos that often dominates the mind, while her evocative lyrics and soulful melodies skilfully weave a tapestry of emotions that deal with mental health struggles, artistic dilemmas, and the core theme of self-discovery.

“I feel honoured to have been selected, I feel seen,” Nyota Parker told Apple Music. “Hopefully, the people who resonate with my music feel seen too, that’s what it’s all about. It’s helping me to stay optimistic for the future of hip hop and neo soul, especially in South Africa.”

As the newest Up Next artist to be spotlighted in South Africa, Nyota Parker will be featured across Apple Music’s South African Up Next playlist.

With a heritage that combines Irish and Congolese roots, Nyota Parker relocated to South Africa at the age of five, embracing the country as her new home. Splitting her time between Montreal and New York, she skilfully weaves her diverse cultural influences into her music, creating a unique fusion of hip hop, neo soul and alternative R&B.

From a young age of 11, Nyota Parker’s passion for songwriting bloomed. At 16, she took her first steps into recording, guided by mixing and mastering engineer Jay Loopz, who assisted in bringing her initial creations to life. She later triumphed in a competition to open for Nasty C and A-Reece, officially launching her musical journey.

Her debut album, Spectrum (2021), stands as a brave testament to self-discovery, chasing dreams, and defying societal norms. Nyota's music resonates with a dedicated audience drawn to her fearless and authentic artistic expression, paving the way for her to carve out a distinctive space in the music scene.