Singer Nina David! Riding on her dream to divadom #GBB

I am not crazy for fame and money. For me, music is a passion, it was my dream to become an artiste, to sing, dance and inspire millions of people

Nina David is without doubt one of the sonorous R&B singers gradually stamping her foot in the entertainment industry. Popularly known as Nina Da Diva, David started singing at a tender age of seven and by 14, she had penned her own songs.

However, after exploring the modeling world and cat walking on the international stage, the tall, sexy and soft-spoken artiste whose face is popular with Delta soap stepped back into her childhood dream – music in 2008 with her debut, Sisi Eko and Sugar Daddy. In this interview, Nina Da Diva talks about modeling, music, and other issues.

Excerpts:

Background

I am from Nnewi in Anambra State. I am the fifth child in a family of six. I have four brothers. Two years ago, I graduated from University of Lagos where I studied Business Administration. I am what you call a career chic and also a goal getter. I was once a model and actress.

Now, I am involved in music, big time. I have the fear of God, and I am a very focused easygoing lady. I don’t have a crowded personality. I live a very quiet life and I mind my achievements. Growing up I had a good up bringing.

My mom did a good job to raise me to become the woman that I am today, despite my music. I remain that young woman well brought up in the fear of God by my mother. My growing up was a lesson that schooled me to be who I am today.

Foray into music

My passion for music started when I was a little girl of seven. I started writing songs at 14 but because I liked modeling a lot, I sort of slowed down a bit, but then professionally I started recording in 2008.

Inspiration
Toni Braxton inspired me into music.

I am not crazy for fame and money. For me, music is a passion, it was my dream to become an artiste, to sing, dance and inspire millions of people. I always fantasized about it. Whenever I watched Toni Braxton’s performance, I always felt highly inspired.

So, yeah, music started for me as a dream and as money and fame go with it, I am ready to ride and of course, there is no way that I would choose a career that wouldn’t pay me. So, at the end of it all, money is still the main target that matters.

I always advice people to choose a career that they are happy with because happiness is the key and when you get paid for doing what you like doing, its such a blessing. There is no better way to explain it.

My music

Owu Mi Lori was a musical video shot in South Africa by Godfather Records. In it I featured one of the best rappers, Macawz.

The musical video is currently enjoying airplay on Channel O, Sound City, STV and other television channels. Owu Mi Lori literarily means ‘making my head swell’. People ask why an Igbo girl like me chooses to do music in Yoruba.

The truth is, I am not a Yoruba but then whatever language I feel would flow well on a beat I would use it. My music is not to divide but to bring people together to dance to good sound. Right now, I have a couple of freshly recorded songs in Igbo language. So, for me, it is basically entertainment, no sentiment. Music is universal.

Challenges

I am the key person in my label known as FM Records (Flash Money Records). The only challenge I am facing is being overtly involved in my projects.

I am involved in every single thing that has to do with Nina David, from my beats to my lyrics to my concepts, style and so on.

Despite that I have got the best people to do all that for me, I still find myself getting so involved when I am supposed to chill and let my team work. I guess it is that way for me because I started my life as a model years ago, which took me international. There, I had just myself doing it all, on my own.

So, I guess I am just a workaholic. I find it challenging because I don’t really get that much of a chill time like that but then I am hoping that this year, as my team grows stronger, I can learn to chill for a bit and let them work.

Memorable day
It was the day I modeled on Valentino Rossi’s power bike, the world champion in Italy. I felt very special seating on his bike because I have special love for power bikes. Another was when I represented Gambia at the 19th Miss Model Of The World in China. It was a great experience for me because it exposed me in a lot of positive ways, having to tour around different cities and experiencing their cultures.

And the day I recorded my debut song in the studio was special to me too.