Nakia

Nakia is a genre-bending queer singer and songwriter who has been a beloved member of the Austin music community for over 20 years. Known for his electrifying performances and soulful, bluesy vocals, he has led bands like His Southern Cousins and Blues Grifters and was a semi-finalist on the first season of The Voice on NBC. Nakia has performed worldwide, sharing stages with legends like Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Sharon Jones, and The Muppets. Now fronting his new band, The Never Not Now, Nakia returns with Signal, his first full-length album of originals in over a decade, out May 30th. Drawing inspiration from the cinematic rock of Peter Gabriel and Tears for Fears, the synth-driven drama of Depeche Mode, and the raw emotional storytelling of Bruce Springsteen, Signal blends lush keyboards, soaring melodies, and heartfelt lyricism. From pulsing, atmospheric soundscapes to big, stadium-sized hooks, Nakia’s unmistakable voice takes center stage in this bold new era. Whether commanding a festival stage or an intimate club, Nakia’s music is a powerful force—timeless, passionate, and undeniably real.