Nnena is tired of love games — and she’s not afraid to call them as she sees them in her debut music video, “Lovesick.”
The Cleveland-born, first-generation Nigerian-American musician is the first official artist signed to famed director J.J. Abram’s Bad Robot Record Label, and upon first listen of her latest track it’s easy to see why. Her rhymes are swift and smooth, but lyrically remind the listener that the truth still hurts. "Lovesick" is essentially the opposite of a love letter to a former romantic partner who almost always came up short when it mattered most.
“Nnena’s a powerhouse artist,” J.J. Abrams tells Teen Vogue of his first signee. “[She’s] daring, insightful, and brilliantly talented. We couldn’t feel prouder to be working with her.”
Nnena’s confident rhymes float over the track’s mellow beats — a style reminiscent of some of her biggest inspirations such as Lauryn Hill, Brandy, and Lil Kim.
“‘Lovesick’ is every woman’s breaking point,” Nnena says. “I want my music to tell a story that anyone can relate to and feel normal again.”
The accompanying music video for “Lovesick,” directed by JD Dillard, is as equally intimate as the song’s lyrics. The video from the recent graduate showcases scenes of Nnena arguing with her partner, having her mother braid her hair as she looks back and analyzes her former relationship, and making multiple outfit changes as she works to build herself back up post romantic fallout.
It’s sexy and visually exciting, including a particularly interesting scene in which Nnena performs for herself.
Though the song reflects on a failed relationship, the narrative Nnena is pushing forward is anything but downtrodden. Performing for a couple of years now, alongside artists like WS Boogie, Mayorkun, and Trinidad James, Nnena has garnered a fan base that loves her authenticity, soulful voice, and style. Her music is motivation for young women to learn from the mistakes in love and move on wiser than before.
“I still can’t believe that this is happening for me,” Nnena says. “This is something I have been praying for forever; since I started my music career. Going through this journey while in the process of graduating was so hectic. Especially in the middle of doing my practicum! But what’s for me is for me and nothing will get in my way.”
We couldn’t agree more.
