Aya Nakamura

Aya Coco Danioko, known professionally as Aya Nakamura, was born on May 10, 1995, in Bamako, Mali, and raised in the Parisian suburbs. Her musical journey began by publishing songs online, gaining early attention with tracks like “Karma” and “J’ai mal.” A turning point in her career came with the song “Brisé” and a duet with rapper Fababy, “Love d’un voyou,” which marked her first appearance on French charts. In January 2016, she signed with Rec. 118 and Parlophone, a Warner Music France subsidiary, solidifying her path in the music industry. Her debut album, “Journal intime,” released in August 2017, achieved platinum certification in France, driven by the success of her first platinum hit, “Comportement.”

Nakamura’s international breakthrough occurred with her second album, “Nakamura,” released in November 2018. The lead single, “Djadja,” topped French charts for two consecutive weeks and was certified Diamond. “Djadja” not only became a hit in France but also gained international popularity, making Nakamura the first French female artist to reach number one in the Netherlands since Edith Piaf in 1961. The music video for “Djadja” surpassed one billion YouTube views in February 2025, marking her as the first African female artist to achieve this milestone. The album also featured the successful single “Copines” which climbed to number one in France. Her subsequent album, “Aya” (2020), achieved double platinum certification, reinforcing her status as a leading artist. In February 2023, Nakamura was announced as Lancôme’s international beauty muse, further expanding her professional engagements beyond music.

Her career continued to progress with the release of “DNK” in January 2023, which topped the French albums chart for two weeks. In October 2022, she made history as the first French artist to perform a virtual concert in the video game “Fortnite.” In April 2024, she secured three awards at France’s Les Flammes awards, including Female Artist of the Year, Pop Album of the Year, and International Star of the Year, dedicating her wins to black women. Her influence extends to social commentary, with her music frequently cited in demonstrations against sexist violence. Notably, in July 2024, Nakamura performed a medley of her hits during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, a performance that generated significant viral attention and further solidified her global presence.