Meet Nanii Acosta | Singer/Songwriter/Vocal Storyteller

I was born and raised in New Jersey – South Jersey to be specific. I also have roots from the Dominican Republic and the southside of Virginia. These influences have played an enormous role in my music and how I navigate life experiences. As an Afro-Latina, I always try to bring aspects of Latin and African American culture into my music – whether it be the instruments or the language. My goal is to give fans an authentic view of Nanii Acosta.

Well, aside from being a working woman, I am fortunate to be a singer/songwriter. I’m consistently writing new music and developing creative ways to engage with my fans. As my music is based on past experiences or emotions that I have endured, it is important to provide my supporters with art that’s relatable. It’s important for me to provide balance in my life that way I’m able to deliver on all levels.

One of my proudest moments was releasing my first EP, The Golden Hold Vol. 1, in 2020. Creating that content was a learning experience. Those moments taught me song development and how to create music without losing sight of myself. I’m grateful for that journey as I prepare for my next body of work. My goal is to be released by the end of this year.

Challenges

My greatest challenge is knowing what music is meant for the world and what lyrics should remain in my journal. The music process is my creative release. However, there are certain things that I’m still reflecting on, and it’s important for me to not rush any process. With this challenge, I learned to ask essential questions like,“What have you learned?” or “What are you going to implement next so that you don’t repeat that again?” These questions have helped me decipher what’s ready to be heard and what’s still in the cooking stage.

Lessons

The first lesson would be to surround yourself with knowledgeable people you can trust. Success is not a one person mission, and it takes a team to win. If anything, it relieves the pressure of the what this industry demands and contributes to your overall confidence. You can rely on the fact that there’s someone in your corner truly rooting for you. Another lesson would be to not be afraid to take the first step. You never know what’s on the other side until you try.

The pandemic has truly changed the type of activities people enjoy, but that won’t stop us from exploring the Big Apple! When my best friend is visiting the area, I want to rediscover New York with them as we try every experience and cuisine. Immediately after dropping off the luggage, we’re going to one of the endless food spots for great food and drinks, especially if it is Black owned. Some good spots to check out are Bamboo Walk, Black Nile, or Rustic Tavern. We’ll venture throughout Brooklyn for street/park festivals, skating, escape rooms, ax throwing – you name it! I am also a big museum buff, so we have to visit interactive exhibits at the Whitney Museum of American Art or Brooklyn Museum. Hopefully, best friend will be there the first Saturday of the month as the Brooklyn Museum hosts a live function with music, performances, and fun. We would enjoy night life and meet new people as we continue to connect and create a staple in the city. By the end of the week, New York will be at the top of her list as one of their favorite experiences.

Shoutout to my family and my manager, Will, for being supportive of my dreams. They continuously believe in me and are the driving force in my success. They provide unwavering support, constructive critique, and motivation. Their dedication to my career keeps me grounded and reminds me we have come so far, yet still have more to achieve.