Nia Archives

Nia Archives, born Dehaney Nia Lishahn Hunt in September 1999 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, is an English record producer, DJ, singer, and songwriter. Her early life involved moving to Leeds at age seven and leaving home at sixteen, living in various locations including Bury and Radcliffe in Greater Manchester. During this period, she was influenced by jungle documentaries and the women involved in the scene, which inspired her to learn music production. Her stepfather, a former producer, introduced her to Logic Pro at age twelve. Nia taught herself production, vocals, and DJing, developing a self-reliant approach to her artistry. She also balanced university studies and a job at Wetherspoons in her early career, pursuing her musical aspirations with determination.

Her career trajectory began to accelerate in 2020 when she independently released her track “Sober Feels” after it was rejected by numerous labels. The song gained popularity, allowing her to leave university and establish her own label, Hijinxx. She released the EPs ‘Headz Gone West’ in 2021 and ‘Forbidden Feelingz’ in 2022, which solidified her presence in the jungle and mainstream music circuits. Nia Archives was nominated for Best Rising Star at the BRITs in 2022 and won Breakthrough Producer at DJ Mag’s Best Of British awards, Best Producer at the NME awards, and a MOBO award. She has performed at major festivals such as Coachella and Glastonbury and supported Beyoncé during her London tour dates. In March 2023, her EP ‘Sunrise Bang Ur Head Against Tha Wall’ topped the UK Dance Albums Chart. Her debut album, ‘Silence Is Loud’, released in April 2024, peaked at No. 16 on the UK Albums Chart and was nominated for the Mercury Prize.

Nia Archives has been recognized for her role in the modern jungle scene, blending traditional jungle influences from the ’92-96 era with contemporary sounds. Her music often features robust drum breaks and her own soft vocals, with diaristic lyrics that address personal experiences such as body dysmorphia and familial estrangement. She has been noted for advocating for Black artists in electronic music, successfully campaigning for the reintroduction of the Best Electronic/Dance Act category at the MOBO Awards in 2022, which she subsequently won. Her ‘Up Ya Archives’ curated club nights and ‘Black girls to the front’ ethos at her parties further demonstrate her commitment to fostering inclusive communities within the music industry. She continues to tour globally, expanding her fanbase and influence in the electronic music landscape.