Nailah Blackman

Background

Nailah Blackman is a Trinidadian singer-songwriter, born on December 2, 1997, who is famous for her Soca music. She was born into a musical family in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, and grew up influenced by the sound and art of the musical traditions of juice and calypso. Garfield Blackman, also known as Lord Shorty or Ras Shorty I, her grandfather, established the Jamoo musical style and is credited with establishing the Soca as a means of rejuvenating calypso music. Abbi Blackman, her mother, is a prominent calypso performer. Blackman is the niece of Avion Blackman, a Christian Reggae artist residing in Los Angeles, and Nehilet Blackman. At four years old, Blackman began singing frequently; two years later, she joined her first calypso competition.

Her professional career began when she was 11 years old. Her sound is shaped not only by the vocal but also by diverse instruments like the guitar and keyboard. Blackman played ‘Runaway Train’ for the Pixel Play exhibition of the film “Towne” in 2016. Her national profile improved because of that performance, which helped build anticipation for the album’s release in 2017. On the song ‘Workout,’ Blackman partnered with internationally successful Coca actor Kes Dieffenthaller; it was a hit during the carnival. As of 2017, Trinidad continued to be a popular destination. Blackman reached the final of the 2017 Soca Monarch International Competition thanks to her song ‘Workout.’ With the official release of ‘Workout’ and collaboration with Dieffenthaller, she carved a reputation for herself during the Trinidad Carnival season in February 2017. Blackman released ‘Bailah Mami,’ produced by Anson Pro Soverall, in 2017.

‘O’Lawd Oye’ and ‘Badishh,’ the latter featuring Jamaican dancehall singer Shensee, were among Blackman’s most popular songs released in 2018. She released her first E.P., “The Reel,” in August 2019, which featured the hit ‘Sweet & Loco.’ She has never been married or had children.