Nakia is an influential queer artist in the Austin music scene and beyond, captivating audiences worldwide with his commanding and soulful voice for over 20 years. He was a semi-finalist on The Voice where he quickly became the fan-favorite of season one. He has shared stages with legendary performers such as Alejandro Escovedo, Sharon Jones, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, and The Muppets.
Nakia is deeply respected for his contributions to the Austin music scene and his dedication to community service. When the pandemic hit, his commitment to his community shone brightly as he played a pivotal role in creating emergency relief for Austin’s musicians and venues. His tireless advocacy earned him the title of “Local Legend” from Matthew McConaughey.
Nakia has written with some of music’s biggest writers including Chris Seefried, Aris Archontis, and the late Lamont Dozier. Nakia’s recent musical endeavors showcase his versatility and artistic evolution. In 2022, he released an EP featuring five unique versions of his song Unstoppable, including Grammy-winning remixes by Dave Audé, each accompanied by its own music video. In 2023, he released Thrill-O-Matic, a genre-blending single co-written with renowned songwriters Andy Stochansky and Jamie Hartman. The song’s innovative fusion of pop, rock, and soul—paired with a high-profile production team—garnered significant acclaim, becoming the second most-played local song on Austin’s Sun Radio, where Nakia is now on the air as a DJ four nights a week.
Nakia’s highly anticipated new album, Signal, is set for release on May 30th. Drawing inspiration from 80s synth-rock, the album showcases his multifaceted talent as a writer, performer, and producer.
Nakia lives in Austin with his husband of 23 years, Robert, and their Bouvier des Flandres, Baker. He continues to inspire through his musical versatility, community leadership, and relentless creativity.
Today, Glide is offering an exclusive premiere of “Say Goodbye One More Time,” a bittersweet, nostalgic track that explores the longing to hold onto fleeting moments just a little longer. With shimmering synth textures, sharp guitar, heartfelt lyrics, and an anthemic chorus, Nakia delivers a song that captures the universal ache of parting ways. The song finds Nakia drawing inspiration in 80s greats like Bryan Ferry, Tears for Fears, and Peter Gabriel, making this track a perfect companion for late-night drives and reflective moments. At the same time, there is a modern pop sound to this song that makes it transcend being classified as simply a throwback tune. Longtime followers of Nakia may be surprised at how different this tune sounds compared to the soul music he is known for, and ultimately it feels like a freshly original approach for this veteran talent.
“‘Say Goodbye One More Time’ is definitely one of the more modern-sounding tracks on the album. It’s an angry breakup song — about betrayal, lying, getting stabbed in the back by someone you trusted. Sonically, it pulls from that 80s vibe with influences like Tears for Fears and The Police, but there’s also a darker, more current feel that leans into artists like Post Malone and Lana Del Rey. It’s meant for those late-night drives where you’re still turning everything over in your head.” – Nakia
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