{"id":35103,"date":"2026-07-24T17:10:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=35103"},"modified":"2026-07-24T17:10:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:10:19","slug":"nanette-cement-redefining-rb-in-africa-with-the-heartfelt-painfully-happy-deluxe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/nanette-cement-redefining-rb-in-africa-with-the-heartfelt-painfully-happy-deluxe\/","title":{"rendered":"Nanette Cement: Redefining R&B in Africa with the Heartfelt ‘Painfully Happy (Deluxe)’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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South African contemporary R&B singer Nanette<\/a> <\/strong>has released Painfully Happy (Deluxe)<\/strong><\/a>, which serves as the concluding segment of a noteworthy project addressing themes of grief, healing, and resilience. With the addition of five new tracks, this deluxe version reflects the artist’s progression from survival to a hopeful outlook, marking a significant step in her creative development. While it remains deeply introspective, the work also showcases Nanette\u2019s artistic evolution, envisioning a future in which African music transcends boundaries.<\/span>
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\nThe deluxe edition amplifies the emotional landscape presented in the original work. Following the singles \u201cBaggage,\u201d produced by Grammy Award winner Andre Harris, and \u201cAsk For Nun,\u201d the release of \u201cOne Life\u201d encourages listeners to cherish the present moment, whereas \u201cLittle Light\u201d is a heartfelt homage to her late aunt, the inspiration behind the album’s title. The lead single, \u201cTaking Me Places,\u201d is a celebration of growth and optimism, highlighting the possibilities that lie ahead. Collectively, these tracks shift the narrative of Painfully Happy from one of enduring heartache to one that embraces the future.<\/span>
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This creative synergy became apparent shortly after the record was completed. Within a day, Nanette and Mbryo performed \u201cTaking Me Places\u201d<\/strong> <\/a> to an enthusiastic crowd at Obi\u2019s House in Lagos, eliciting an electrifying response. A snippet of the performance amassed over 100,000 views on TikTok, indicating the momentum surrounding this release, which resonated with fans even before it was formally launched.<\/span>
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\nPainfully Happy (Deluxe) continues to highlight Nanette\u2019s unique blend of contemporary R&B, soul, hip-hop, and subtle African rhythms while introducing a more optimistic sound. The additional tracks maintain the emotional transparency synonymous with her writing style but showcase a newfound confidence, openness, and potential. This completion of her body of work depicts an artist\u2019s journey from emotional doubt to self-acceptance, reaffirming Nanette\u2019s ability to convert deeply personal experiences into universally relatable narratives.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Emerging as part of a new wave of women reshaping contemporary African R&B, Nanette has carefully cultivated a career anchored in authenticity, vulnerability, and bold creativity. From her self-penned debut album Bad Weather, marking her entry as a producer, to successful collaborations with Kelvin Momo, Blxckie, Nasty C, and Tellaman, alongside recognition from Apple Music\u2019s ALPHA initiative and Spotify\u2019s Ones to Watch, she has consistently broadened her artistic horizons and continental influence. With Painfully Happy (Deluxe) and the cross-border significance of \u201cTaking Me Places,\u201d Nanette reinforces her position as a key figure in the evolution of African R&B while demonstrating the transformative power of collaboration on the continent’s sound.<\/span>
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\nAs Painfully Happy (Deluxe) embarks on its path across Africa and the globe, Nanette presents a vision of contemporary African music that is increasingly collaborative, connected, and ambitious. This indicates that the next wave of creativity from the continent will not be constrained by borders but rather defined by the artists willing to transcend them. Through \u201cTaking Me Places,\u201d she concludes one phase of her own journey while facilitating the emergence of a new chapter for African R&B.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n