A CONVERSATION WITH... nxdia
Missed Reading and Leeds 2025? We got your back with our 13 artists to watch. Next up is Nxdia— an alt-pop artist whose words and witty messages are best heard through their music. Lucky you, they’re going on tour and you can still get tickets if you’re lucky.
I’m Nxdia, I am Egyptian-Sudanese, and I live in Manchester. Well, I used to. Now, I live in London and I make music.
For people finding your music today, what do you want your music to say? What do you think it says about you or the world you’re trying to create?
I have a very specific view of myself that might not even be true. I think I'm trying to find some kind of element. See through it and understand if I put everything out there, then people will just take it as they take it and maybe there's a million billion versions of myself in everyone's freaking minds. I’m doing a lot and thinking about a lot. Like I was in Amsterdam a few days ago, and Poland and Germany last week. It’s been great, but I don’t know if I’m asleep or awake most times. I promise I’m awake right now though! I’m so excited to do the BBC Introducing stage tonight. Leeds tomorrow and then I’m done with festivals.
This is the perfect way to round it all off. I got a few more dates with SOFIA ISELLA in the UK this year, which I'm really excited about. Then it's my tour in October. I'm so gassed! It's mostly sold out, which is fucking crazy.
And you're gonna smash it. Speaking of smash, ‘smash, marry, kill’ three of your songs.
I would smash 'Boo, Nevermind' because that would be a crazy night. I'd enjoy it. I'd marry 'Body On Me' because I feel like that's a good marriage. That's one where they never stop falling in love. I'd kill ‘Like a Bubble' because it's my oldest song and I hate it. She stayed for a second. I have mixed feelings about her. She's kind of hostile. The worst ones are on SoundCloud, though.
So speaking of songs that you do like, what's the favourite lyric that you've written?
'Body On Me': "It's ironic and it might take you by surprise. My boxer shorts are Superdry." Hilarious, hilarious, very witty. Actually, everyone clapped in the studio. No one groaned, no one rolled their eyes.
Oh, obviously. What's the question that you wish you got asked in interviews that you haven't yet?
I wish more people would ask me about my cat. He's such a dude. He threw up this morning and I looked at his throw up and I was like, “I think there's words there.” I looked and he'd eaten the sticker. I don't even know how he did it. It was one of those little stickers you put on an on-sale T-shirt. All I could see was 70% off. How did he even get it? Like, did he go into the bin? He's disgusting. He's my boy.
That's your boy. We've been doing a thing of leaving and taking a question for an artist. The question that got left for you was: “What is something that would make you put your boots up for music?”
Maybe if I'd sold out some massive arena and was able to ensure that it was really personal. But honestly, I don't think I'm ever going to feel ready to hang up my boots. Thanks to the community. Selling out shows or arenas isn't what I find interesting about music; it's the connectivity. I know that sounds really gay, and I'm allowed to say that because I'm gay. When people give me letters or anything, Oh my God! Alice freaking showed up and she knitted something for me, which I love. Valentine made me a book, she's painted in it and put stickers in it. This bracelet was given to me by a girl who'd worn it everyday for two years. This is the stuff that reminds me I'm part of something bigger. I don't think I'm ever going to stop. I think my dream is just do this. I don't think it's ever going to be enough. It's always going to be talking to more people and wanting to connect more.
The artist who asked it also said the same thing. Once he's dead, that's when he's done. So what's the question that you'd leave for another artist?
You have to choose between only playing festivals in the UK for the rest for the next five years or only playing festivals abroad for the next 5 years. What would you choose? I'm not being asked the question, but if I was, I would choose death.
What's been a moment of joy for you in 2025 you really want to share?
I did my first solo shows in Europe in the first leg of Sophia's tour. I didn't think I could ever stand there in front of a crowd on my own with a guitar. I was really proud of myself because I was so scared. So I think after the first show, it was just so nice to be able to talk to people and see that they were there for me. It’s always so nice to see people at shows, so if anyone can grab tickets, do it. If not, sorry. I love you still.