By: Yasmin Hassan, Staff Writer
With ‘90s hip-hop and 2000s R&B tunes, Vancouver-based femme group NADUH “fill the industry thigh gap” with their unique, old-school inspired spin on the genre. Listening to their music reminds me of hearing my big sister’s playlists back in the early 2000s. Their music is filled with influences from the “Spice Girls, a dollop of Warren G and Nate Dogg, and a dash of TLC.” Their 2022 album, HOMIESEXUAL, is “umami for the ears” with its chromatic blend of modern reverbs and retro synths. It’s imbued with “empowerment,” “queerness,” and “spirituality.”
“Our music expresses this through exuding elements of soft but hard, calm but cheeky,” said Jenny, AKA the group’s “Daddy,” in an interview with The Peak. Each member has their own persona, with Rolly being the “magical fairy godmother,” Larisa being the “local celebrity,” Taraneh the “chef Boii,” and the “lover baby,” Giorgi. Immediately upon hearing their music and seeing their style, I could recognize the Y2K inspiration — I love how they bring a sense of nostalgia in a contemporary form through their style.
Mesmerized by their beats, I wondered what was essential for the NADUH sound. “Harmonies on harmonies, you won’t hear a NADUH track without them,” Jenny told me, explaining that the “saucy chords are at the core of [their] production.” NADUH perfects their blends with “punchy drums, funky or phat bass, and obviously soulful vocals.” Their song “MYSOGINISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS” stuck out to me with its mellow lofi loops and lyrics that explore being objectified, like being asked to smile, and how the girls are just over it!
“Harmonies on harmonies, you won’t hear a NADUH track without them.” —Jenny, 1/5 of NADUH
The group uses their music “to heal the axis of masculine and feminine,” as told to them by Venus, the goddess of love. Jenny said the group’s sound acts as “a sweet balm, kissing the souls of listeners while they open their hearts to unity, love, and levity.” Staying true to their divine goals, the group says Venus gave them no choice but “to heal the gender divide” within themselves and the world “by creating with a more feminine touch” and re-writing “the industry ‘standard.’”
Coming from Vancouver, Jenny tells me about how the city’s music scene is still on the rise to being recognized globally, and that repping home base is their “shot to put Vancity on, and show the world our city is chock-full of talent.”
Catch NADUH at the Official Pride Party Aug 4. Make sure to watch out for their new single “THROBBY,” expected to release by the end of summer, and follow them on Instagram for updates, @its.naduh!
