We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nirvanda Simm-smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nirvanda below.
Nirvanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
In 2020, I decided to write a Mother’s Day song and dedicate it to my mother.
I discussed this idea with my then boyfriend at the time, who is well versed in archaic African languages… After discussing the idea with him, he made a suggestion: to use a refrain from an old traditional song that’s actually a prayer, for my chorus….
“Wara mi, mama yoko da, wara mi Iya yoko da….”
This translates to “feed me mama, sit me on your lap…”
I took some time to meditate with this prayer …. Because in my humble experience, music writes itself – I was inspired to allow the energy of this prayer to inspire the direction of this song, considering how old it was. I set an intention for the prayer to show me how it wanted to be produced into a new song.
After about 2 weeks, I began to hear a melody.. The prayer had animated itself in a dream I had one night, that I woke up the next day singing the melody.. I was so excited!
I began writing the music in my laptop using Logic, and the lyrics soon followed….
The result was a reggae infused banger that today I love sharing with friends and loved one for Mother’s day!
WARA MI (FULL VIDEO) https://youtu.be/cn0VwKHJ_EU?si=7cANDc26SmGY7kZt
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Like everyone else who pursues the arts seriously, I am a traditionally and classically trained performance artist in both music and dance. However, I learned at a young age that training, skill and beauty isn’t enough to get you into the door. One has to understand business. So although my career has had me signed to different labels at various points of my career/life, it was my business acumen that put food on my table and created my lane in the music industry.
I learned that I have a skill in being able to make connections between an artists work , and the marketplace. This is often the greatest challenge for most artists, including myself. And has often left me in situations where I was left behind after helping to launch another artists career.
Finding the balance between supporting my own work, as well as the work of my clients has often been a point of contention, as my own inner child has often felt neglected while working on other campaigns. However 2025 is the year that I finally get to put my own project at the forefront.
This speaks to sacrifice. That sometimes, we are blessed with SO much opportunity, that we can become zealous, and over ambitious…. But when one takes their time to discover and use their skills to support and help others, you can refine your skills and secure greater resources. For when the time comes for you to put your attention on your own endeavors, you would have amassed greater resources and support for your own work.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
I don’t trust them. Not until I’ve tested them out for myself.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I was raised by a stage mom.
I wish I understood what this meant, earlier in my life.
As a mother raising a young creative as well, I am grateful that I am not passing on this learned behaviour onto my son.
Every child should be able to grow into who they are meant to become without their parent manipulating/ parasiting / attempting to live vicariously through them by way of stealing their opportunities to make decisions for themselves.
A parents job is to support, because all children belong to GOD.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SLAUGHTAWITLOVE.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slaughtawitlove
- Twitter: https://x.com/slaughtawitlove
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SlaughtaWitLove
- Soundcloud: https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZMxrM3X8h4PM7oYWdm4iy?si=TAAg-R2ASE6pIdC2eAuN4g
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/track/1cBV3rSr4heOpambr9tp8D?si=c1477ee9ce4b4501
