Meet Nadia Tagoe | Singer-Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nadia Tagoe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nadia, why did you pursue a creative career?
At a certain point, pursuing an artistic career felt non-negotiable to me. My first hobby was visual art, starting with comic strips and evolving to portraits, I felt constantly pulled to draw pictures, to recreate the world through my eyes. I began singing at 10, mostly in musical theatre productions, and quickly became obsessed, even though I had no idea I’d return to music later as a singer-songwriter. Growing up I wanted to be an astronaut, comic book artist, teacher, screenwriter, in that order. I was completely all over the place. Deep down I think I wanted to explore, create, and tell stories. But as I got older it became harder to identify as an artist. I was worried about money and scared that if I didn’t commit to one clear path I would never have a stable career and never be able to build a life that I could be proud of.

The problem is, what I was running from eventually caught up with me. My quest to become one-track minded made me deeply unhappy. I got a scholarship to a film school for screenwriting. It fascinated me but something didn’t fully click, and the thought of moving to LA to chase that dream terrified me. I decided to be an adult and get a “real job”. I bounced through hospitality and retail before landing an admin role that became a stable career as an executive assistant. It gave me security, but it also made me feel like I was drifting further from myself each day.

After the pandemic I took a leap and decided to pursue a working holiday in Australia, realizing I had nothing to lose. That’s where I reconnected with my artist self. I started performing, realizing how much I missed singing. Before I knew it, songs started pouring out of me. It’s scary at times, especially without a formal background in music, but I’m realizing that the fulfilment I get from following my soul’s direction feels like the reason I’m alive. My path might evolve one day but for now I’m being called to music, and for the first time the question of “what should I be doing?” feels answered.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I make soulful pop music, with influences of blues, jazz, and R&B. I have a deep and powerful voice, I sing from the depths of my soul, so while my music might cross genres, the vocal storytelling is what anchors everything together. I’m incredibly proud of my debut single Daydreams, which came from a place of deep pain but has really resonated with listeners on streaming, radio, and at live performances. I’ve since released a follow-up single, Imaginary Girl, and I’m excited to keep releasing new music in the months ahead.

I’ve gotten to where I am by learning by doing (taking action even when I wasn’t ready) and by being open to learning from others. I’m becoming a better performer by performing often, watching myself back, and constantly refining. Humility has been key for me: asking questions, staying curious, and learning from those who have been in the industry longer than I have. It’s been incredibly validating to connect with people who believe in me and want to share their knowledge, and I hope to pay that forward as I grow.

It hasn’t been easy. I still have a day job, and sometimes it’s hard to make ends meet, but investing in my art has been one of the most powerful choices I’ve ever made. I started out performing covers at open mics, asking people to play with me, and devoting real time to writing. The biggest challenge early on was not understanding how music could actually become a career. I’ve realized that I can only truly fail if I stop trying – if I let fear or other people’s beliefs dictate what’s possible.

I’ve learned that being an artist requires significant self-reflection and courage. I want people to know that I believe in living life like a shooting star – shine bright and bold before it burns out. I hope to leave this world knowing that I faced my fears and showed up as the strongest, freest version of myself. I think when we dare to be bold, we connect more deeply to our humanity, and we show up better for others too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m Canadian and have had the pleasure of showing a couple of my Canadian friends around LA! I adore LA and could never get bored exploring it. I’m not ashamed to admit I enjoy some of the touristy things too. I’d start by taking them hiking in Griffith Park or biking along the boardwalk to Santa Monica Beach at golden hour. LA has a great contemporary art scene so we’d spend a day gallery hopping around Culver City or visiting one of the museums like the Broad, The Hammer, or LACMA. For food I’d insist on In N Out and Swingers Diner at least once, and dinner in Koreatown (I’m a big fan of BCD Tofu House). For live music I’d take them to Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood, they showcase emerging artists in an intimate setting. I’ve been fortunate to perform there myself, and it’s one of those special LA gems that captures the spirit of the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to composer Simon Victor Linsteadt, whose support at the start of my music career made a world of difference for me. Simon produced my first two singles and helped me understand the fundamentals of the music business, which has truly set me up for success. When I first started writing original music, I was scared to record or even share it publicly. Simon encouraged me to take that leap and record my debut single during a time of deep self-doubt. His insight and generosity have opened my eyes to the many ways an independent musician can thrive. I’m deeply grateful for his guidance and friendship as I continue to grow as a musician.

Website: nadiatagoe.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notbadia

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/nadia-tagoe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579103363182

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@notbadia

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@notbadia

Image Credits
MJ Bednarek Scorpio Biz Photography Infinite Shadows Photography