Nappy Nina challenges genres and expectations of form by pushing boundaries and redefining the essence of her craft. With her unique and dynamic delivery, she captivates audiences on stages across the globe, solidifying her position as an artist whose music cannot be ignored. The Oakland-raised emcee honed her craft in the vibrant music scene of her hometown before moving to Brooklyn. During her stay in NYC, the artist started the indie record label Lucid Haus and released her debut album, The Tree Act, in 2019. Fast forward a few years and a couple of critically acclaimed projects later, Nappy Nina teams up with producer SWARVY for their recently released collaborative project, Nothing Is My Favorite Thing.
“Groundhog Day” is a hypnotic stand-out from Nothing Is My Favorite Thing. The way Nina’s effortlessly smooth flows soar over the neck-breaking tempos from SWARVY’s drums creates an enticing sonic juxtaposition that doesn’t take away from the head-spinning wordplay. As always, Nina’s songwriting is potent and purposeful. The artist is not known for wasting her breath, using every moment of your attention to detail, her worldly view, and thought-provoking observations. “Groundhog Day” captures Nina at a creative yet confusing moment in the young legend’s life. She reflects on the steps taken to get her to this point while pondering the missteps, creating an attention-grabbing narrative that is vulnerable, personal, and relatable. While Nina allows thoughts to roam free, SWARVY is hard at work blending nuanced jazz elements to give “Groundhog Day” its ethereal feel of levitation. The production elevates Nina’s sentiment to new heights as the duo showcases their natural chemistry. “Groundhog Day” is an anthem just waiting to be uncovered as Nina and SWARVY piece together a terrific closer to one of the most underrated releases of 2024.
