Nanette Expands Her Musical Journey With the Deluxe Edition of Painfully Happy

South African R&B singer Nanette continues to cement her place as one of the country’s most exciting rising stars with the release of the deluxe edition of her debut album, Painfully Happy. After winning over audiences with her standout feature on amapiano hitmaker Kelvin Momo’s song Fool Me, Nanette has experienced remarkable growth as an artist, earning praise for her soulful voice and emotionally honest songwriting. The deluxe version of Painfully Happy builds on the foundation of the original album by offering listeners a deeper exploration of grief, healing, emotional growth and hope after heartbreak. Rather than simply adding new songs, the project serves as the closing chapter of an important personal journey that reflects both pain and renewal. With this latest release, Nanette continues to demonstrate why she is regarded as one of the leading new voices in South African R&B.

According to Nanette, revisiting Painfully Happy allowed her to bring closure to a deeply personal chapter in her life while presenting a fresh outlook on healing and acceptance. She explains that the additional songs introduce a lighter and more uplifting energy compared to the emotional weight carried throughout much of the original project. At the same time, she deliberately chose to conclude the deluxe edition with the powerful track Little Light, ensuring the album ends on a deeply reflective note. The song features a symbolic flatline during its final moments, representing a person’s last breath and ultimately the acceptance of death and grief. This thoughtful creative decision reinforces the album’s central message that healing does not erase pain but instead teaches people how to live alongside it with greater understanding.

One of the standout additions to the deluxe album is Taking Me Places, a song that reflects optimism, gratitude and embracing life’s journey. Nanette revealed that she wrote the track while attending a Mavin Records songwriting camp in Lagos, Nigeria, where she collaborated with Nigerian artist Mbryo. From the moment she heard the production, she knew she wanted to create a feel-good record that celebrated happiness and personal growth. Looking back on the experience, she says the song continues to remind her to embrace joy while appreciating every opportunity life presents. The collaboration also highlights the increasing creative exchanges taking place between artists from different African countries, resulting in music that reflects a rich blend of cultures and influences.

Nanette believes African R&B is experiencing an exciting period of evolution as more artists across the continent continue to embrace and redefine the genre. She points to the growing visibility of R&B musicians who are each contributing their own unique styles while remaining rooted in soulful storytelling. At the same time, many artists are experimenting with indigenous instruments and traditional musical influences, creating fresh sounds that expand the possibilities of contemporary African R&B. Nanette sees her own music as part of this movement by staying true to the emotional foundations of R&B while pushing creative boundaries through innovative production and songwriting. This balance between tradition and experimentation is helping African R&B reach broader audiences both locally and internationally.

The growing number of collaborations between South African and Nigerian artists is another development that excites Nanette. She believes these partnerships create valuable opportunities to experience different cultures while building meaningful relationships with fellow musicians across the continent. Working in new creative environments exposes artists to fresh ideas and inspires musical growth that benefits everyone involved. Nanette has already experienced this firsthand through her work in Lagos and hopes to continue building connections with artists from across Africa. Among the musicians she would most like to collaborate with is Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage, whose influence and artistry have inspired countless performers throughout the continent.

As the South African music industry continues to evolve, Nanette is encouraged by the increasing number of women taking leadership roles beyond performing. Although she considers herself relatively new to the industry, she has noticed more women becoming producers, creative directors and decision-makers behind the scenes. She believes this shift is helping shape not only the music itself but also the broader creative culture surrounding it. Nanette hopes this momentum continues so that even more women are empowered to lead in every aspect of the entertainment industry. By supporting female creativity and leadership, she believes the industry becomes stronger, more diverse and more representative of the stories being told.

When reflecting on the South African women currently inspiring her, Nanette points to artists who have each built successful careers while remaining true to their unique identities. She credits Thandiswa Mazwai, Tyla, Lordkez and Shekhinah as musicians whose talent, originality and consistency continue to motivate her own artistic journey. She admires the way each artist has created a distinctive sound while representing South African music on local and international stages. Their success demonstrates that there is no single path to building a lasting career, encouraging emerging artists to embrace their individuality. For Nanette, seeing women thrive in different musical spaces serves as both inspiration and motivation to continue growing as an artist.

Nanette also has a powerful message for young girls who dream of pursuing careers in R&B. She encourages aspiring singers to keep believing in themselves and never give up, even when the journey becomes difficult. According to her, perseverance is one of the most important qualities any artist can develop because success often comes to those willing to remain committed despite setbacks. She believes courage and consistency create opportunities, reminding young musicians that fortune favours those who continue showing up and working towards their goals. Her own career serves as an example of how dedication and authenticity can open doors to remarkable opportunities.

Looking ahead, Nanette promises that the next chapter of her career will be even more ambitious than the last. Following the emotional journey explored throughout Painfully Happy and its deluxe edition, she is eager to continue evolving both personally and creatively. Fans can expect her to experiment with new sounds, expand her artistic vision and reveal even more of herself through future music. With her soulful voice, fearless storytelling and commitment to artistic growth, Nanette is positioning herself as one of the defining voices of modern African R&B. The deluxe edition of Painfully Happy not only brings a meaningful close to an important chapter but also signals the beginning of an exciting new era filled with limitless creative possibilities.

Stream Painfully Happy Deluxe HERE

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