Aya Nakamura is a multi-platinum pop star with 25 top ten singles in France and over 20 million social media followers.
On July 26, a prominent French singer stole the spotlight at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony. Aya Nakamura, the most streamed French artist globally, captivated the audience with her performance.
Nakamura delivered her hits “Pookie” and “Djadja,” backed by the band from the Order of the Republican Guard.
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“Aya speaks to many of our citizens, and she absolutely deserves her place in such a significant event,” French President Emmanuel Macron told The Guardian.
The details of her performance were kept secret until the ceremony, with the artistic director neither confirming nor denying her participation for months.
Who is Aya Nakamura?
Aya Nakamura, born Aya Danioko, hails from Mali, a former French colony. She grew up in the Paris suburbs and became a naturalized French citizen in 2021. Her stage name comes from a character in the TV show “Heroes.”
Nakamura, the eldest of five siblings and a mother of two, has become a global sensation. She is known for her unique blend of pop music that incorporates French slang, West African languages like Bambara, as well as French, Arabic, and English.
Aya Nakamura’s Musical Style
Nakamura’s music combines various linguistic influences, creating songs that resonate with a diverse audience. “You don’t understand, but you sing,” she told The New York Times. Her passion for music is deeply rooted in her heritage, as her mother was a griot, a traditional African storyteller and singer.
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Popular Songs and Achievements
Nakamura is a multi-platinum pop star with 25 top ten singles in France and over 20 million social media followers. Her songs have been streamed seven billion times. In 2023, she made history by selling out three Paris concerts in just 15 minutes.
One of her most famous songs, “Pookie,” references the slang term “poucave,” meaning “traitor” or “rat.” Her breakout hit “Djadja,” released in 2018, has been streamed about one billion times and became a feminist anthem.
The song “Djadja” addresses a man spreading false rumors about a woman. Nakamura created the term “djadja” to represent a disappointing figure she once admired. The song has inspired feminist protests, with its lyrics appearing on banners and signs.
Aya Nakamura made history by becoming the first French female artist to top the Dutch charts since Edith Piaf in 1961. She also triumphed at France’s Les Flammes awards in April 2024, winning female artist of the year, pop album of the year, and international star of the year. She dedicated her awards to “all black women,” highlighting the challenges faced by black artists from economically disenfranchised Paris suburbs.
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Nakamura’s remarkable journey and powerful music continue to inspire and resonate with fans worldwide.