NABIYAH BE’s world has always been infused with storytelling in its multiple forms: dance, poetry, performance and music. A third-culture kid at heart, her projects reflect the internationality she was born into; from the richness of Brazilian culture, the influence of the Caribbean and its protest songs to the extensive well of inspiration of Black and folk American history. The New York Times describes her voice as “spellbinding” and her presence as one that imbues a “transparent innocence”, a quality the artist brings into all mediums she embodies. Nabiyah’s versatility has led her to become the first Black Brazilian woman to win a major American theatrical award and to originate roles in major American TV Film and theater productions such as Simone Jackson in Amazon Prime’s Daisy Jones and The Six, the villain Linda in Marvel’s Black Panther, the original Off-Broadway Eurydice in the Tony Award winning folk-opera Hadestown, and Erika in the Off-Broadway hit School Girls; or The African Mean Girls play, for which she won a Drama Desk award.
As a singer-songwriter and music producer, Nabiyah Be is drawn to themes that investigate generational bonds, mysticism and folklore. Her lyricism and vocals evoke the spirits of early soul and jazz American singers as well as of MPB pioneers of the Tropicália movement, such as Caetano Veloso and Chaka Khan. Rhythmically, Nabiyah translates African inspired patterns and electronica into the backdrop of nylon string guitars reminiscent of Brazilian music, rhythm & blues, soul, and jazz; all with a somewhat modern twist.
On stage since age 5 and touring internationally with her father - reggae musician Jimmy Cliff – since age 7, Nabiyah spent her formative teenage years in hometown Salvador, Brazil, working as a background vocalist for distinguished Brazilian artists such as Daniela Mercury and Carlinhos Brown as well as acting and producing alongside a local theater company. In her early days in New York City, Nabiyah performed in venues like the Apollo Theater, S.O.B’s and Rockwood Music Hall, while simultaneously building a name in the theater community.
Her latest musical collaboration is with Latin Grammy nominated artist and current Brazilian Minister of Culture Margareth Menezes, in the song QUERERA. As Daisy Jones and The Six promises to be one of the most expected miniseries of the year, Nabiyah Be is preparing for the release of her debut musical project.
