Feeling beautiful as a person is important.
Raised in Orange County, California, Adanna Duru remembers the struggle of identity and not feeling confident outside of her ability to sing simply because she was the only Nigerian girl. Whether it was the curiosity of her classmates about her skin complexion, the need to touch her hair, or the wonder on their faces about dark lines on the palms of her hands, Adanna was made to feel outside of the norm.
Unbeknownst to her at the time, by name alone, she was commanding a difference. To correct the mispronunciation of her name was the first iteration of her confidence. To not see herself yet identify with Hannah Montana and the Cheetah Girls as a child and make the decision to become a singer is another. To have the support of her Nigerian mother as a preteen to chase her dreams rather than force her to pursue a traditional idea of success is powerful. And because of her belief in her talent and the spaces it has taken her, Adanna has moved beyond the limited perceptions of others to champion the depth of who she is as an artist.
On her recent EP, NAPPY HOUR, and her forthcoming follow-up EP, NAPPY HOUR II, Adanna Duru showcases her vocal talent, her musical influences, her rich heritage, and her confidence in the content of her character.
NAPPY HOUR has amassed over 28M streams globally across all platforms, with standout track “Pop” receiving over 8M streams to date.
For NAPPY HOUR II, Adanna worked for the first time with producers Khris Riddick Tynes (Snooze by SZA) & Rob Bisel (produced Kill Bill by SZA)] for the single “if i was a boy ;).” They encouraged her to lean into her quirky/fun online persona on this track. Inspired by Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy" and Ciara's "Like a Boy," Adanna wanted to create a song about what women commonly go through in relationships.
Adanna has also amassed a large fanbase on social media due to her unique and hilarious content, gaining 1.5M new followers on TikTok in 2023 alone. She received co-signs on that platform from Timbaland, Ayrra Star, Bas, Alicia Keys, Ed Sheeran, among others.
Accentuating her growth as an artist--beyond the content she provides on social media-- Adanna’s vocal presence is as captivating as her vibrant personality. Each song is an homage to her musical influences and shows the range of her strengths as a singer and her awareness of how she wants music to make her feel. As a self-proclaimed R&B Afrobeat Pop artist this definition of her sound is a testament to her dynamic character and recognition of all that she represents…for herself.
The Nappy Hour EPs are not just a collection of music; they are an introduction. On these projects, you get to read the heart of an artist, similar to pages in a journal. The Nappy Hour EPs are fun, passionate, innocent, harmonic, and energetic offerings, a first look at Adanna Duru.
