Episode Transcript
[00:00:03] Speaker A: Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the royalty room. Today we have a super, super, super special guest right here in LA. I want to welcome miss Nailah Blackman.
[00:00:15] Speaker B: Hi.
[00:00:16] Speaker A: Thank you so much for coming. I know you're super busy, super booked all over the world.
[00:00:23] Speaker B: Thank you for having me.
[00:00:24] Speaker A: Absolutely. What brought you to LA this time?
[00:00:27] Speaker B: Well, I originally came to LA for Hollywood carnival, and I had to pop over to New York and then pop back because, you know, this week is BT, so there's a lot happening in the city, and I felt like if I didn't want my trip to end, so I was like, let's go back.
[00:00:45] Speaker A: I love that. I love that.
So I'm mad one. I didn't even get the memo that carnival was happening.
[00:00:53] Speaker B: Oh, really?
[00:00:53] Speaker A: I guess I was sleeping under a rock. The past couple of years, it went right over my head, so I got stuck in the traffic. I live right, like, close by the area, and as soon as I saw somebody's costume on the corner, I was livid. I was like, there's no way that I missed my moment. How was it?
[00:01:12] Speaker B: I didn't actually go to the carnival itself, but I did go to the main event. I performed at the main event, and it was energetic, to say the least. I was so happy. I mean, it's been a while since I performed in LA, so coming back, being able to touch base with my fans here was pretty cool, especially the caribbean diaspora is not very large here, but they're mighty and they really know how to party, so.
[00:01:44] Speaker A: That is definitely something that we can agree on.
How does it feel? I know there's, like you said, it's not very many folks from the islands out here, but, like, how is La for you? When you come here, do you feel like we need more, like, food places or more events? Like, what is it like for you?
[00:02:06] Speaker B: What I love about LA is one the weather, right? But especially when you come along this time, because, I mean, I know this is supposed to be, like, a hot place. That's what they say, but it was cold. It was, you know, it gives cold sometimes. And I'm like, isn't it supposed to be like a sunshine state kind of vibe?
[00:02:25] Speaker A: Honey, they lied to me, too.
[00:02:28] Speaker B: So, you know, I come in my little strappy straps and I'm like, but today's good. And for the whole week, it has been fine. I love La for the creativity that is here. I mean, as a creative, whenever I come out, it's always to do, like, a studio session, have, like, writing. Like, that kind of vibe is just for me, like, I love that about hair. It's just so saturated. You can't, you cannot create something cool and unique. And California was actually the first place that I visited outside of the first time I came to America. This is where I came. I mean, I stayed in Orange county when I was a little girl, so, like, I really knew it to be like, a place where I come and I create and I have fun.
I also love the food as well, too, because I like to eat clean. I like to eat vegan sometimes. I'm not vegan, but I like to eat vegan sometimes. So there's a lot of, like, health restaurants, which is really good for me. So I get to be, like, picky. I'm a picky eater, so I get to be picky.
[00:03:30] Speaker A: Okay. So we have some, some good things to say about LA. This is refreshing to hear while I'm in it sometimes. It's just like the only thing people do out here is complain about being out here.
[00:03:42] Speaker B: Oh, really?
[00:03:43] Speaker A: Yes. And it's mostly, you know, the people that came from out of town or from the east coast, but even the people that are from La complain about the people coming to LA. And it's just like, this is the place.
[00:03:56] Speaker B: This is the one place I find that to be a little bit different because I've spoken to a lot of industry people, people in the acting industry, producers, and I kind of want to get a sense of, like, what it's really like because, you know, right now I'm still based in Trinidad, so I was like, I want to get a sense of, like, do you really like it? And I've only heard positive things about it, really. I really only, I love that. I've only heard positive things, but I have to say there's a dark side. It is kind of dangerous and I didn't know that, so I learned that.
[00:04:27] Speaker A: Yeah, as long as you have a good team around you, like, that's, you know, in the industry in general, no matter what city or area, as long as you have a good team around you, you're good. But I feel like if you come to LA, you don't have that team and you don't have that guidance and direction. It is easy to get lost or swallowed up or taken advantage of. That's actually, like, the one reason I came to LA to do entertainment law is because my little sister, she's a choreographer and it was like almost immediate.
If you don't know about the industry and you're out here by yourself, it's like, it's a lot of pitfalls that you could slip into on accident.
[00:05:09] Speaker B: Well, I'm definitely not alone. I have a fantastic team.
[00:05:12] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:05:15] Speaker B: My manager and producer, Anson, at the head of it, is just. He's sick. He's like a sniper with everything, working super hard. And now I'm recently signed to big money records, and I'm super excited. Whoa, money. The entire team have been so great to me thus far, and we've been working on crazy records, doing fantastic stuff. So it's only a matter of time, you know what I mean? And obviously hard work.
[00:05:44] Speaker A: So that is honestly so exciting. Congratulations.
[00:05:48] Speaker B: Thank you.
[00:05:49] Speaker A: How does it feel to be a caribbean artist coming into a new label like this?
I feel like you guys don't get enough credit and enough love, at least this far in Florida. Growing up, everybody is from some island somewhere, whether it's the Puerto Rico's dominican republics or Barbados. Trinip. But I feel like the west coast is just so far away, it's a little bit disconnected.
[00:06:23] Speaker B: I think that coming from the islands, there are not a lot of opportunities. That's one thing that I would like to change with my career. I would like to pave the way for a caribbean musician and artist, because, I mean, the good part about America is that there's just so much opportunity. What you do with that opportunity is up to you, and that's how you tell your story. But for me, I feel truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to make it this far, to go further, because it's super important.
If you have a good sound and you have a good image and you have your mind right, the sky's the limit out of the Caribbean. There's so many talented artists. When I tell you there's talent everywhere, but as it seems now with social media and the world, it seems like if there's talent everywhere, you know what I mean? But when you get to come out into the world, see how people work, see how they work together, see how it's not. It's not as complicated as it seems or as it used to be. You know, it's a lot more simpler. And it's just about putting in the work, putting in the efforts, and letting music flow through you. And that's what I try to do with my music, so that the only thing. The only thing is left is for people to receive my music, you know what I mean? And I think I'm in the position for people to do just that. So.
[00:07:56] Speaker A: Yeah, well, I'm excited because just being in your presence, like your aura is just so positive. Like, I feel like you're glowing through the camera, like, literally through my eyes right now, and I feel like that's exactly what comes through with your music. So we need more of that. Thank you. And you just released a new record in May. Yes. Pressure, pressure, pressure, pressure.
[00:08:24] Speaker B: I'm so excited about this song because I think for a while now, like, even before being signed, I was trying to find a fusion. I come from Trinidad and Tobago. I come from soca music.
My grandfather is the creator of soca music. And it's something that, you know, Soca has not crossed borders and cross genres because it's something that caribbean people get. We breathe, feel this music. This music gives us life. But for some reason, we've hadn't had. We haven't had consistent crossing of borders with this music. And I was my manager, my producer, and I, we've been working on a sound that.
That can make the music cross borders. So, pressure is one of those records where it's soca, but it's kind of afrobeat and it's kind of pop, and it's kind of r and b, maybe. Like, it's just a fusion sound that sounds new, sounds fresh, but so familiar. Like, so familiar. The producers of this track is still team salute out of London from Ivory coast. They did such an amazing job on it. Even all the writers on the big money that worked on this song with me, like, it's such a. This song, it's really pressure. You're gonna have to listen to it. You're gonna have to. It's a feel good. It's one of those, like, summer songs that really make you feel, like, sexy and flirty, but then, like, that's what we need.
[00:09:56] Speaker A: Yes, ma'am. Sexy and flirty. Saul, you might have to drop it so she can hit the move. She was already ready for it.
[00:10:02] Speaker B: You could also just, like, not have a k. I think a lot of times, life kind of weighs us down sometimes. Like, we're just going. We're just kind of, like, in the zone, like, paying bills going. But sometimes you just need to take a moment and, like, put down your window and just, like, stick your head out the window a little bit and then just let the waves. That's what this song feels like.
[00:10:25] Speaker A: You know what? Okay. You know what that just gave me in my head?
[00:10:29] Speaker B: What?
[00:10:29] Speaker A: It gave me Alison Hines. Oh.
[00:10:33] Speaker B: You know, some truth.
[00:10:35] Speaker A: Listen, I told you, I'm really from Barbados, and it's all okay.
But that's, like, literally what it gave me. Like, that song was just such a female empowerment. Like, we outside and.
[00:10:45] Speaker B: Yes, girl, I was thinking about that song just 30. That's crazy that you mentioned that. It's really that empowerment song, as you say.
[00:10:52] Speaker A: Yeah, I love it. I love it. And it just came out at the height of the summer, La. I want to say it got warm just a couple of weeks ago. It's been cold this entire year. So me, you know, I'm not from the island, but I'm from close enough. I just miss the warmth so bad. And it's finally here. So I feel like this is the perfect time.
[00:11:14] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:11:14] Speaker A: BT awards. We're out here for the BT Awards. We had. Summer in LA has been hot. Not just the weather, just started getting hot. Like, we have this whole Kendrick world takeover, world domination. We had juneteenth, all the events, then we had carnival, and now we have bet awards. So you're out here for the awards, and just not too long ago, you were the best international artist recognized by the BET Awards.
[00:11:43] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:11:44] Speaker A: First of all, congratulations on that. I know it was years ago, but that's huge.
[00:11:48] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:11:49] Speaker A: What is it? What does it mean to you to be back for the bet words again? This is.
[00:11:53] Speaker B: I think this time around, I'm feeling, like, so back then when I was nominated, I felt like if, wow, why am I here? Like, this is crazy. Like, I literally dropped, like, three songs. And, I mean, they were doing amazing, obviously, but I was, like, so, like, overwhelmed by all the attention now being back. I mean, I just went to a BT event last night that was honoring a producer named Killer B that I'm working with.
[00:12:20] Speaker A: Get out. That's my friend. I love him. I was supposed to be there. Really?
[00:12:25] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:12:26] Speaker A: I've been in court this week, so I wasn't like, I sent him a message. I was like, I bought three tickets because I really wanted to support you, but I'm not gonna make it. I'm so sorry.
[00:12:34] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:12:35] Speaker A: He's amazing, though.
[00:12:36] Speaker B: Being out here in front of all these people, like, in all these circles, producers, songwriters, actors, like, I really have honed in on who I am and my artistry, and I'm like, this is where I'm supposed to be. You know what I mean? I'm super excited to be going to the next level, to be in the rooms that these amazing things happen in. So bt, I'm here. I'm ready, period.
[00:13:06] Speaker A: She said she's here.
As far as, like, you mentioned, killa B, you have a lot of great collaborations as well. What has been your favorite? I project to collaborate on so far.
[00:13:19] Speaker B: Ooh, wow. My favorite project. Wow.
[00:13:24] Speaker A: Or person to work with or idea.
[00:13:30] Speaker B: You know, I've worked with so many people, but definitely one of my favorite people to work with has been kes.
Kes out of Trinidad Tobago. And I would say alekoone Gould. I did two songs with Kev, my first song ever, workout, and then I did a second one on my album, technique. Timeless. Really amazing song. And I also did two songs with adequate as well. We did a song together on Walshrifia's album called Outside, and then we did a second one on his album called Age Baby. And that song. Song did amazing.
That was number one in Nigeria and in even other african states. And it was one that really was a good collab. I think he and I have a really good blend in terms of our voices. So.
[00:14:25] Speaker A: Yeah, so I honestly wanted to ask you about that. I've been getting a lot of people, because a lot of people like to group the islands as one thing, one sound, one play, but they're also doing it with grouping the Caribbean with the afro beats, like, as if it's just one big thing, and it's absolutely not.
[00:14:54] Speaker B: It is not. But what I would say about that is that I'm not opposed to them grouping it like that. But I do want to differentiate the difference. The reason why I'm not opposed to it is because, you know, caribbean music is african music, essentially. We are african people that were taken from our home, brought to the islands. We were mixed with indian, Chinese, Lebanese, this that. We boiled down a pot, but we still kept our essence of home, of Africa. And then we made something new. We made calypso, where calypso is still african music. We made soccer, we made reggae, we made dancehall. But it's really still african music because, you know, it comes from us. And so when you hear african music and you hear afro beats, and then you hear dancehall and you hear soka and you hear reggae and calypso, it doesn't sound the same, but it sounds familiar, similar. It sounds like it could be grouped because we are one. And the fact that we look for reasons to divide the world is like all this division is just making us further away from each other, when we should be closer together, when we should understand that the music that are being created more and more are made based on fusion, are made based on understanding why, like, this song like this, if you think about jazz or rock or. Or alternative or hip hop or all these genres that we have out there, they were all made from people coming together from different spaces and different walks of life and creating something new. That's what SocA is. SocA is the blend of indian and african rhythms. And so I'm still going to represent for the african rhythms in Soca to say, we're still one. So if you want to group us as one, I'm not opposed to it, but we do. We are different. We are unique, and we do have our own story to tell that is much different than afrobeat artists. And I would like to tell that story one day. I would like to tell it through my music, through my life stage performance, through my choreography, through my fashion, through everything that is super important for me, because that's what they're doing. They're telling their story of coming from Africa, coming from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, etcetera. You know what I mean?
And I want to go to Africa, so I'm like, hey, pick me up.
[00:17:36] Speaker A: Oh, girl. We're going to Ghana in December, so come along. I hear it's the coachella of Ghana, so we'll be there. Lovely. It's kind of like, if you think about it, like, I'm so tired of hearing east coast versus west coast and east west coast, and then you got the south and then you got the midwest.
It's kind of the same thing. But I'm glad, like, we're talking about it on a global scale, because lately it's just been so this side versus that side. Yeah, but it's just so much bigger than that.
[00:18:09] Speaker B: It is.
[00:18:10] Speaker A: Especially in music.
[00:18:11] Speaker B: It is. But, you know, everybody always loves to represent for their city. They love to represent for their state or wherever they come from. So, for me, I will always represent for Trinidad and Tobago. Trinity to the bone, Trinity to the dead, you know? Like, I'm gonna wave the flag the whole time, but, uh, it doesn't mean I'm against somebody from another island. Yeah. You know, it doesn't mean. It doesn't mean that, you know.
[00:18:35] Speaker A: So since you've been here, have you found any, um, roti that is?
[00:18:40] Speaker B: I have not. I wouldn't. I won't. I wouldn't do myself that.
[00:18:44] Speaker A: I've been searching for five years. I haven't made it to Bridgetown. Roti, though, that's the one I've heard of.
[00:18:50] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:18:51] Speaker A: And I was in the area, and they were closed, and I was like, I've been waiting on this for five years.
[00:18:56] Speaker B: If I'm being honest. I would be scared to try Ruti from out.
[00:19:00] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:19:00] Speaker B: I would be.
[00:19:01] Speaker A: A lot of folks. Cause there's not very, very many caribbean, like, even food, like restaurants or caterers out here. I did get shout out to Dredd fresh. Amazing.
I wanna say he's from antiqua because all of his stuff has that. That type of flavor. But he catered one of my artist release parties recently, and before that, he catered my friend's daughter's birthday party. She did a one love theme, and I said, okay, this might be the best caribbean food I've had since I moved to LA. His name is Dredd fresh.
[00:19:37] Speaker B: Dredd fresh. All right. Send the pen. We'll try it out.
[00:19:40] Speaker A: I don't know about the roti. I still. I'm still searching. But he can at least the Rasta pasta, the curry, the beef patties, everything that he has to offer was phenomenal.
[00:19:52] Speaker B: Amazing.
[00:19:52] Speaker A: You might have to call him, but I also heard, you know, you're doing choreography, you're doing music, you're doing songwriting. I heard you also have some instruments up your sleeve.
[00:20:04] Speaker B: Yeah. I actually started music from an early age. I was four years old when I started singing, but when I was about 1112, I started playing the guitar.
And people don't really know this side of me, but I've played guitar for, like, nine years, actually. It's more than that now. I don't even know how old I am anymore. Am I doing that right?
Oh, my God.
[00:20:31] Speaker A: It's like, 14. Okay. At a certain age, I'm still 25.
Yeah.
[00:20:38] Speaker B: So it's been about 14 years now. And I, um.
I have a huge side of me that people don't know. I mean, I am a singer songwriter musician. Like, that is my original style that I started with. That's not the style that I launched my career with. I launched my career with soca music, which is very upbeat uptempo. But if you just want to, like, if you want to know the real Nyla blackmungesthenne, give me a guitar, and then you'll see. Yeah.
[00:21:12] Speaker A: That's beautiful. Is that something in the future we'll be seeing?
[00:21:18] Speaker B: Of course. I think it's something because that's not where I started and that, you know, like, when you start in one lane, you kind of have to, like, keep up that momentum and build on it. I didn't intend to blow up with my first soccer song. Like, it kind of just happened that way, and I was like, okay, great, I'll roll. Let's go with it. You know what I mean? That's kind of what happened. So it's definitely something I have to get back to. I will, because I have a million. I literally have a million songs. And they're not just, like, songs. They're like bangers from Smash land, you know what I mean? So I am really excited for people to see that side of me. I have teased that side of me over the years with my acoustic. My acoustic renditions of my upbeat songs, but I would say there would be no match to the songs that were written originally, like, that, you know?
[00:22:15] Speaker A: Yeah. I could picture, like, just a seat on the stage with the spotlight guitar and just singing from the heart. What would be, like, your ideal show or collaboration or spotlight to be in?
Ooh, I know. That's a big question.
[00:22:42] Speaker B: That's a big question.
Wow. So you. So the question is, what's my ideal show?
[00:22:49] Speaker A: Yeah. Like, what is the, like, the craziest vision you see for yourself? Like, is it. Is it in London? Is it at the. The specific place or with a specific person?
[00:23:02] Speaker B: I definitely would love to sell out Madison Square Garden in New York and have a really intimate moment, but then still, like, have all the drama, all the dances, all the, like, have it be, like, a full ride, like, you know, from start to finish.
And I would love to perform in France again, maybe to an open crowd, because I did the Olympia in France, and that was amazing. You know, that's a. That's a famous concert hall. It was packed to capacity, and it was. It was beautiful. But I have attended, like, events in France where it was outdoors, and it was so, so cool. I would love to perform at an event like that or perform before Coldplay. Like, Coldplay is one of those artists that I really.
I really admire that band.
[00:23:56] Speaker A: Wow, that was so left field. I love that.
[00:23:59] Speaker B: I would love to, like, open for Coldplay and, yeah, do my thing. That would be amazing.
[00:24:05] Speaker A: Wow.
[00:24:05] Speaker B: I love their style of concerts as well, you know?
[00:24:08] Speaker A: Yeah. Well, y'all heard it here first. You know, this is a place for manifestation where dreams are planted.
So I can't wait to see that happen. I can't wait to see that come to life.
I really, really do appreciate you coming and sitting and sharing this with us and everybody else for this summer. Are there any surprise, any more surprises that we can expect?
[00:24:37] Speaker B: Well, I'm definitely going to be releasing some more bangers before the summer is over.
I have two hot ones in my pocket.
I have some dope collabs coming up, so honestly, y'all just gonna have to wait and see, but it's gonna be. It's gonna be epic. I'm not gonna make you bored ever. You're gonna always have something new, something unique, and something to be like, oh, my God, you're coming from me.
[00:25:03] Speaker A: So, yeah, I honestly, I expect nothing less. Like, you are so multitalented and so diverse. We literally went from. From afrobeats to coldplay in a matter of a couple of minutes. So I can only imagine what's next. Like, I'm so excited.
[00:25:21] Speaker B: You have no idea, actually.
[00:25:24] Speaker A: I can't wait to find out.
So where can all these beautiful people find you on all platforms?
[00:25:31] Speaker B: You guys can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, nylablackmande, aka chili baby, the snack of all snacks. But, yeah, you guys can find me. Make sure and subscribe to my YouTube channel at nylablackmanofficial. I have so much amazing music coming. Y'all don't want to miss out on it.
[00:25:54] Speaker A: And I also, I'm glad you said that. I also wanted to ask you about chili baby.
[00:25:58] Speaker B: All right, so chili.
Chili baby is a snack in Trinidad, okay? And it's really like corn that they roast, and they grind down, like, dust, right? So it's like, imagine eating, like, brown dust in a pack. They put sugar in it. It's really nice. Like, kids, we love it. So it's a snack that. It's a local snack from Trinidad called chili bibi.
[00:26:22] Speaker A: And everyone wants it.
[00:26:23] Speaker B: And everyone wants it. It's really sweet. It's brown, and it's fine. It's like fine dust.
[00:26:29] Speaker A: Sweet, brown, fine.
[00:26:31] Speaker B: Come on.
[00:26:32] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:26:33] Speaker B: Come on, baby. Come on, baby. Come on. Am I not describing myself?
[00:26:37] Speaker A: No. I love that. Okay. That is exactly what I wanted to figure out. I was like, there has to be some. Some deep meaning. Yeah, I'm gonna have to try the snack.
[00:26:47] Speaker B: I'm a snack. Come on.
[00:26:48] Speaker A: Period.
[00:26:49] Speaker B: Come on.
[00:26:50] Speaker A: And when is carnival in Trini?
[00:26:52] Speaker B: Carnival in Trinidad is in February 2025. So anybody who has some free time in February, make sure just click calendar, book your flights from now because they will.
Honestly, I don't know the exact date because it lines up with Ash Wednesday and it changes every year, so we follow the calendar. So just check out for when. I should know this by now, but come for the last week before carnival. You have to experience the entire week to truly say you've been to Trinidad Carnival. You could just come for Monday and Tuesday, but it wouldn't. You won't get the full experience. You have to have the parties, you have to have the entire leading up to the road. You know what I mean? But make sure and bring all your vitamins because you're gonna need to, like. You're gonna need to keep up. You know what I mean? But, yeah. Clear schedule. Book your flight.
Come. Come to Trinidad and Tobago.
[00:27:53] Speaker A: Listen, listen. I'm ready to book my flight now. It's been on my bucket list for a long time, but now that I've met you and we've sat down, I'm.
[00:28:01] Speaker B: Gonna make it happen for sure.
[00:28:03] Speaker A: So y'all could catch us at carnival, y'all could catch her at bet weekend. Y'all could catch her on the Internet, and y'all could catch the royalty room right here at Legalqueen LA on all podcasts. And again, I know I've said it a million times, but thank you so much for being here.
[00:28:20] Speaker B: Thank you for having me.
[00:28:21] Speaker A: We wish you the best of luck in every single one of your endeavors.
[00:28:24] Speaker B: Thanks so much.
[00:28:26] Speaker A: See you guys next time. Bye.
