A deep dive into Nanette Mbili's cathartic creative process

“I’m very big on integrity in my art. I’m very big on not doing something that I feel will compromise the integrity of my art,” says rising R&B singer Nanette Mbili.

Durban-born singer and songwriter Nanette Sphesihle Nobethu Mbili describes her creative process as deeply healing, one that allows her to uncover, process and reflect on life.

“My creative process is very cathartic. When I write music, the intention is always to be as real as I can and to tell stories that will either heal me and help me reflect, or heal others and help them reflect,” she says.

Mbili’s fast-growing career was born during the uncertainty of lockdown. She explains that the isolation she experienced played a significant role in shaping her debut album, which earned her a nomination for Best R&B at the South African Music Awards in 2023.

“Bad Weather happened at a very awkward time. It was the peak of lockdown, we weren’t allowed to go to many places. That level of isolation and being in my head more than usual influenced how the album came together and how it sounded. I spent a lot of time with myself during that process. I was also in my first year of varsity when we went into lockdown.”

After completing matric in 2020, Mbili pursued a law degree alongside her music career, one that has already brought her notable success, recognition and collaborations.

Her collaborations span multiple genres, from hip-hop features with the likes of Nasty C on Tonight, Blxckie and BGRZ on Talk to Me, to amapiano projects such as Kelvin Momo’s Amukelani. Despite moving across genres, Mbili maintains a strong sense of self.

“I think my identity belongs in each and every one. That’s why it feels so seamless for me. I do love R&B and hold it very dearly as my champion genre, but I’m a lover of music in general,” she says.

A consistent thread in her work is integrity, something she admires in the powerhouse artists who inspire her.

Legends such as Whitney Houston and Beyoncé, known for both their vocal excellence and precision, have influenced her approach to her craft.

It is a standard Mbili has consciously woven into her own work.

As her career continues to grow with over two million streams on her latest EP, Painfully Happy, Mbili hopes to make a lasting impact both locally and internationally.

“I can only hope that I’ll make my mark in South Africa and beyond. I want to be one of the artists who not only champions our music, but also our history, our fashion and our traditions,” she says.