Meet SONY/RCA’s newest girl group, NLA, who just released their first music video for their single “In This B*tch.” They’re creating quite the storm with the video, considering it received 1.8 million views on World Star. In the video, Janeen, Jessica and Nina, bring “girl power” back to the club and show you what it’s like to have a girls’ night out with them.
Spoiler alert: they’re straight killin’ it, the entire time. And we totally want in on the next go.
So, who is NLA? Check out our exclusive interview below, where we had the opportunity to get to know the girls.
PW: Can you introduce yourselves to us & tell us where you are from? How did you form the group NLA? How long have you been together?
NINA:
My name is Nina Moody. I’m from Jacksonville, FL (Duvvvvvvvaaaallll)!!! NLA was formed by Keith Thomas (CEO of GoodLook Ent and A&R for RCA). Keith knew each of us from the Atlanta music scene and explained his crazy vision for us. From there, we’ve been rocking ever since!
JESSICA:
My name is Jessy. NLA was formed by Keith Thomas about 4 years ago. Nina and Keith were friends of mine prior to the group being formed.
JANEEN:
Hi! My name is Janeen, 1/3 of NLA. I’m from Little Rock, Arkansas. Keith hand-picked each one of us based on prior situations he’d experienced and what he saw in each of us that he felt could and would be magical if brought together. Nina and Jess already knew each other. Once he introduced me to both of them, it was a no-brainer. It just worked. Four years later, here we are!
PW:What is your musical background?
NINA:
I grew up singing in my church choir. My mother is a musician (she plays piano, keyboard and organ), so music has always been a HUGE part of my life.
JESSICA
I grew up singing in church, school choruses, weddings, etc. I started in the industry at the age of 15 with my first record deal.
JANEEN:
I began singing around the house at an early age, performing songs I would hear on the radio for family and classmates at school. I joined my church choir around the age of 6, which is where most of my training took place. I knew that music was what I loved. I just had to figure out how to make that dream a reality.
PW:Who are your musical influences?
NINA:
I’m greatly influenced by Brandy, Amel Larrieux, and Claudette Ortiz. They each have incredible vocal tones.
JESSICA:
My musical influences range between RnB and Rap. Growing up, I loved Mary J Blige, Lauryn Hill, Aaliyah, TLC, SWV, Total, Destiny’s Child, Jodeci, Dru Hill, Subway, Tupac, Biggie, Lil’ Kim, and Jay Z. I also love old school songs from the Supremes all the way to Marvin Gaye.
JANEEN:
Everything!!! I’m a walking jukebox! I feel like if you put a quarter in me, choose a selection, and press play; I could sing any song you choose! I love music and have been inspired and influenced by bits and pieces of way too many to name.
PW: Do any modern day artists influence your sound? If so, who?
NINA:
Beyonce, Drake, and Rae Sremmurd.
JESSICA:
Chris Brown, TLC, Rock City, and Usher.
JANEEN:
Not really, per say. We create based upon a feeling and always keep our ears and hearts very close to the streets. Meaning if we do get any type of influence, it’s based on what’s around us, what we see in our and others’ everyday lives. We try to come from a very real place, a very honest perspective.
PW: If you could open for any musical artist, who would it be?
NINA:
Beyonce, a tough act to follow for sure but that would be insane! She has a diverse fan base of all ages, sexes and ethnicities. We’d love to reach this type of audience and open for Queen Bee!
JESSICA:
If NLA could open for any artist, I think it would be great for it to be Chris Brown or Usher.
JANEEN:
Hmmm…that’s a hard one! At this junction, anyone that would welcome us on the bill! Callllllll us!!!! No, but really, it would be cool to open up for someone like Chris Brown or Beyonce. To be on the same stage as either of them, learning from them, absorbing some of the energy they exude as entertainers, it could really be an awesome experience for us!
PW: If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
NINA:
I’d love to collaborate with Usher, Chris Brown, and Kanye.
JESSICA:
I think it would be cool for NLA to collaborate with Chris Brown or Young Thug. I admire their music and their following.
JANEEN:
Nikki Minaj! Girl power all day!
PW: When can we expect more music?
NINA:
We plan to release new music at the top of 2015.
JESSICA:
You should expect to hear more of NLA’s music by 2015. I think it’s going to be a great year for us.
JANEEN:
As soon as we can release it! We have so much music waiting to be heard. We’ve been working really hard for the last 4 years and can’t wait for you all to hear what we’ve created!
PW: What can we expect from you in the future?
NLA:
You can expect us to be making group performances and appearances soon. And you can expect some great new music. Music that will make you feel. Music that is for the girls and the homies that hits hard with feel-good beats and lyrics full of life and truths. We love music. We enjoy life. We want to be able to exude that and bring others into our world. We have so much to share and absolutely can’t wait til’ we put it out there. As for now, if you haven’t already, please check out our video for “In This B*tch.”
Many thanks to NLA for taking the time to chat with us; and be sure to follow them on YouTube, Sound Cloud, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!
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