Nanette, the Durban-born R&B singer-songwriter whose soul-baring lyrics and genre-fluid sound have cemented her as one of South Africa’s most compelling new voices, has always been guided by an inner compass that points towards authenticity.

What started as a creative outlet during lockdown while studying law has evolved into an impressive career trajectory that speaks volumes about following one’s passion. Her list of achievements is already substantial: a SAMA nomination for her debut Bad Weather, chart-topping collaborations with Kelvin Momo, and high-profile features alongside Nasty C, Blxckie and Tellaman on her acclaimed follow-up The Waiting Room. Fresh off opening for UK R&B star Sasha Keable, she’s just released I’m Not Psycho, a Harley Quinn-inspired single that transforms the tired “crazy ex” narrative into a psychological thriller wrapped in her signature velvety vocals and cinematic production.

But Nanette’s path to R&B stardom was far from straightforward. Like many creative souls, she initially found herself pulled between practical expectations and artistic calling. Her journey began with aspirations in medicine before shifting towards law, but it was theatre and musical theatre that truly captured her imagination and set her on the path she walks today.

“At first, I was interested in medicine, I wanted to be a doctor but I later got interested in Law as well. However, when I was in high school, I got really drawn to theatre, musical theatre more specifically and so when it was time to apply at universities, I applied for both Law and Theatre and I got offers for both,” she shares. When acceptance letters arrived from Wits for both law and theatre, the decision felt predetermined.

As the first in her family to attend university, she chose law, driven partly by not wanting to disappoint those who had supported her journey thus far. However, the mismatch between her heart and her studies became increasingly apparent as time went on. “I was the first one in my family to go to uni, so I went and I studied law but my heart was not entirely in it and that ended up affecting my academic performance as well, which led to me being excluded from the programme,” she says, reflecting on that pivotal moment. Theatre had ignited something in her that legal studies simply couldn’t match, and despite her determination to succeed, law school felt like wearing clothes that didn’t fit. Her academic struggles culminated in exclusion from the programme, a moment that could have felt like failure but instead became liberation.

Fortunately, her family’s support remained unwavering throughout this transition. “Luckily, I have a very supportive family. So even though my academic exclusion came as a shock because my family knew me to be a high performing type of student, they were really supportive when I started pursing my music career seriously.”

It was her father who provided the perspective she needed during this crossroads moment. “You are the captain of your own ship,” he told her, “and if you let other people drive your ship, it’ll sink.” His wisdom about taking control of her own destiny rather than letting others steer her course became the turning point in her journey.

But of course the transition from law student to recording artist wasn’t without its challenges. And one of the challenges that Nanette has faced is dealing with being the youngest in the rooms she often finds herself in. “Sometimes being the youngest in the room in an industry like this is hard because that’s when the self-doubt kicks in. However, I’ve had to tell myself that I am in these rooms because I deserve to be there and that’s enough,” she says. Being the youngest person in many professional rooms brought its own set of obstacles, but Nanette’s talent and determination have consistently opened doors. Her genre-fluid approach to R&B, blending soul-baring lyricism with innovative production, has set her apart in a crowded musical landscape.

This refusal to be pigeonholed is perhaps most evident in I’m Not Psycho her latest offering that boldly subverts expectations. The Harley Quinn-inspired track takes the worn-out “crazy ex” trope and transforms it into something far more nuanced and psychologically complex. It’s a perfect example of how Nanette approaches her artistry, taking familiar narratives and flipping them to reveal deeper truths.

When asked about her trajectory and where she sees herself heading, there’s an unmistakable passion in her voice when she speaks about her music. She’s already working on new material, with both a forthcoming album and another single on the horizon.

“I hope to be touring around the world with my music and just continuing to do the thing that I am passionate about. I am currently working on a new single and a new album, which I am very excited to share with everyone soon.”

The artist who once sat in lecture halls studying contract law now crafts sonic contracts with her listeners, binding them to her authentic storytelling and emotional vulnerability. It’s the kind of enthusiasm that was perhaps missing from those law textbooks, but burns brightly when she discusses melody, lyrics, and the stories she wants to tell through her art.

Nanette’s journey from reluctant law student to celebrated R&B artist serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes the most authentic path isn’t the most obvious one. In choosing to captain her own ship, she’s navigated towards a destination that honours both her talent and her truth.

With I’m Not Psycho making waves and new projects on the horizon, it’s clear that this is just the beginning of her voyage. Her growth in the music industry is beautiful to witness, and with her drive and commitment to authentic storytelling, there’s no doubt she’s well on her way to becoming a household name.