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Naaz (singer)

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Naaz
Naaz in 2017
Background information
Birth nameNaaz Mohammed
Also known asNaaz
Born (1998-06-08) June 8, 1998 (age 26)
Gorinchem, Netherlands
OccupationSinger
Years active2015-present

Naaz Mohammed (born 8 June 1998), known professionally as Naaz, is a Dutch-Kurdish singer. Born and raised in the Netherlands, she initially gained media attention after she auditioned for Holland's Got Talent in 2014.

Early life

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Naaz Mohammed was born in Gorinchem, but moved to Rotterdam when she was two.[1][2] Her parents fled Iraq during the Gulf War;[1] Naaz's father is a doctor, and her mother is his assistant.[3] She was bullied in school but found comfort in the words of one of her teachers. A car accident in which her parents were wounded was a turning point in her life and that of her parents; before, music was a "no-go" for them and she had to abide by a strict dress code, but after the accident, the family was more open with and accepting of each other.[1]

Career

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2014-2018: Career beginnings, Bits of Naaz

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In 2014, Naaz took part in Holland's Got Talent.

On 13 November 2015, Naaz featured in Yellow Claw and Flux Pavilion's song, "Catch Me".[4] On 30 September 2016, she released her first solo song, "Sadboy". Naaz created the songs on Bits of Naaz in her room, using a computer, a microphone, and a keyboard.[3] She recorded most of the songs in the EP in December 2017. At the time, she wasn't allowed to go to the studio because her parents did not want her to take a career in music.[3] Naaz later found a manager who persuaded her parents to let her continue a career as a musician.[3] On 18 May 2017, Naaz released her debut single, "Words". A music video was released to accompany the song on June 8.[5] On 18 August 2017, Naaz released her second single, "Can't". A music video for the song came out a week later. On 13 October 2017, she released her third single, "Up to Something". On 25 October 2017, Naaz performed "Words" on Vevo DSCVR. On 12 February 2018, Naaz released her fourth single, "Loving Love". The single entered the Dutch Singles Tip and peaked at #30.[6]

On 30 April 2018, Naaz released her debut EP, Bits of Naaz.[7] Bits of Naaz debuted and peaked at #81 in the Netherlands,[6] and its success led to her to play at Rock Werchter and various European countries; she received two Edison Awards for the EP.[1] Naaz joined Hayley Kiyoko on her European Encore Tour.[8]

2019-present: The Beautiful Struggle and Never Have I Ever

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Naaz continues to make waves in the music industry with her compelling storytelling and poignant lyricism. Her latest era marks a significant evolution in her artistic journey, showcasing her unique voice and the diverse influences that shape her music. On 14 June 2019, Naaz released the first single, "Taped", for her second EP, the beautiful struggle,[9] and the second single, "damage", in September 2019,[10] which she said was a song about "emotionally damaged DNA".[11] On 27 September 2019, Naaz released the song "it's not you it's me". On 4 October 2019, Naaz released her sophomore EP, the beautiful struggle.[12][13][14]

Naaz joined Melanie Martinez on her K-12 tour in 2020.[15] She went on her own headline tour promote her EP.[16] On 10 July 2020, Naaz released the single "Mute Love".[17] On 31 May 2022, Naaz released the single "Sad Violins", her first in two years.[18]

In January 2023, Naaz released her highly anticipated album Never Have I Ever, which dives deep into her experiences as a Kurdish-Dutch woman.[19] The album has been celebrated for its raw vulnerability, with two singles released: "Azadi" and "Daughter." "Azadi," meaning "freedom" in Kurdish, explores themes of liberation and identity, while "Daughter" reflects on the complexities of familial relationships, offering an intimate glimpse into her personal life.[20]

In 2023, she released two non-album singles: "Banara" and "Uproot." The latter addresses the harrowing realities faced by victims of domestic abuse and sex work.[21][22] In the fall of 2024, Naaz continued her artistic journey with the release of her new single, "Sirens."[23]

Awards and nominations

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Naaz has won two Edison Awards, a Dutch music award, and was nominated in two categories of the XITE Awards in 2017.[24]

In January 2020, Naaz won two awards at the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards, a music awards ceremony funded by the European Union.[25] Award winners received prizes of €10,000, with an additional €5,000 for the Public Choice award, which Naaz won.[26][25]

Discography

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Studio Albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions
NL

[27]

Never Have I Ever —

Extended plays

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Title Details Peak chart positions
NL

[28]

Bits of Naaz 82
The Beautiful Struggle
  • Released: 4 October 2019
  • Label: Top Notch Music BV
  • Formats: streaming, digital download
 —

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NLD
Tip
"Sadboy" 2016 — Non-album single
"Words" 2017 10[29] Bits of Naaz
"Can't" —
"Up to Something" 9[30]
"Loving Love" 2018 11[31]
"Taped" 2019 — The Beautiful Struggle
"Damage" —
"It's Not You It's Me —
"Mute Love" 2020 — Non-album single
"Sad Violins" 2022 — Never Have I Ever
"Azadî" —
"Daughter" —
"Barana" 2023 — Non-album singles
"Uproot" —
"Sirens" 2024 — TBA
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

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List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NLD
Tip
"As Fun" 2018 13[32] Bits of Naaz

Artistry

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Naaz has listed Linkin Park, Lorde, and Tove Lo as musical inspirations.[33][further explanation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d School, Joep (8 July 2018). "Naaz: 'Ik heb een nogal ingewikkeld hoofd'". Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Naaz talks EP 'Bits of Naaz' and playing the NME stage at Live at Leeds". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 2018-05-01. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  3. ^ a b c d "Meet Naaz, The Singer-Songwriter Blending Dutch And Kurdish Identities". NPR. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  4. ^ Catch Me (feat. Naaz), retrieved 2021-02-09
  5. ^ "18-Year-Old Dutch Singer Naaz Celebrates Diversity In Her Debut Video "Words"". The FADER. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  6. ^ a b Hung, Steffen. "Naaz - Loving Love". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  7. ^ Mohammed, Naaz. "Bits of Naaz Review".
  8. ^ "Hayley Kiyoko". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  9. ^ "TURTLENEK | NAAZ - Taped". TURTLENEK. 2019-07-01. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  10. ^ "Premiere: Naaz - "damage :(" | Wonderland Magazine". Wonderland. 2019-09-19. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  11. ^ "Muziek maken van omgevingsgeluiden? Naaz zorgt voor een nieuwe sound" (in Dutch). NPO Radio 1. 8 October 2019.
  12. ^ "From Linkin Park to 'the beautiful struggle,' Welcome to the Life of Naaz [Q&A] / Ones To Watch". Ones To Watch. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  13. ^ "Naaz shares intriguing 'Bits Of Naaz' EP". diymag.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  14. ^ "Premiere: Naaz - "damage :(" | Wonderland Magazine". Wonderland. 2019-09-19. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  15. ^ "Melanie Martinez + support: Naaz | 3/2 | Forum Karlín". goout.net. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  16. ^ "Naaz Gigography, Tour History & Past Concerts – Songkick". www.songkick.com. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
  17. ^ "Naaz – Music Moves Europe Talent Awards". Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  18. ^ "Naaz returns with the empowering "Sad Violins" [Video]". EARMILK. 2022-05-31. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  19. ^ "Dutch singer to open for Lana Del Rey's surprise Ziggo Dome show after WhatsApp plea | NL Times". nltimes.nl. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  20. ^ "Song of the day: Azadî by Naaz". JINHAGENCY News. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  21. ^ Naaz – UPROOT, retrieved 2024-11-03
  22. ^ "Naaz - 'Uproot'". The Daily Music Report. November 27, 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  23. ^ Sirens !, 2024-11-01, retrieved 2024-11-03
  24. ^ Wilgenburg, Wladimir van (2020-01-16). "Dutch Kurdish artist wins two prizes at Music Moves Europe Talent Awards". Kurdistan 24. Archived from the original on 2020-01-19. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  25. ^ a b Amter, Charlie (2020-01-18). "Italy's Meduza, Dutch singer Naaz Among Winners at Music Moves Europe Talent Awards". Variety. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  26. ^ "Flohio, Meduza and Girl In Red among Music Moves Europe Talent Awards winners". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  27. ^ "Naaz - Loving Love - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  28. ^ "Naaz - Loving Love - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  29. ^ "Naaz — Words". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  30. ^ "Naaz — Up to Something". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  31. ^ "Naaz — Loving Love". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  32. ^ "Naaz — As Fun". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  33. ^ "From Linkin Park to 'the beautiful struggle,' Welcome to the Life of Naaz [Q&A] / Ones To Watch". Ones To Watch. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
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