Naaz (singer)

Naaz Mohammed (born 8 June 1998), known professionally as Naaz, is a Dutch-Kurdish singer. Born and raised in the Netherlands, she initially gained media attention after she auditioned for Holland's Got Talent in 2014.

Naaz
Naaz in 2017
Background information
Birth nameNaaz Mohammed
BornGorinchem
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active2015-present

Personal life

Naaz Mohammed was born in Gorinchem, but moved to Rotterdam when she was two.[1][2] Her parents fled Iraq during the Gulf War;[1] Naaz's father is a doctor, and her mother is his assistant.[3] She was bullied in school but found comfort in the words of one of her teachers. A car accident in which her parents were wounded was a turning point in her life and that of her parents; before, music was a "no-go" for them and she had to abide by a strict dress code, but after the accident the family was more open with and accepting of each other.[1]

Naaz is married to a man named Kevin.[4]

Career

Naaz has released nine singles and two EPs, 2018's Bits of Naaz and 2019's the beautiful struggle.[5][6] The former charted at #81 on the Dutch Albums chart.

2014-2018: Career beginnings, Bits of Naaz

In 2014, Naaz took part in Holland's Got Talent.

On 13 November 2015, Naaz featured in Yellow Claw and Flux Pavillion's song, "Catch Me".[7] On 30 September 2016, she released her first solo song, "Sadboy". Naaz created the songs on Bits of Naaz in her room, using a computer, a microphone, and a keyboard.[3] She recorded most of the songs in the EP in December 2017. At the time, she wasn't allowed to go to the studio because her parents did not want her to take a career in music.[3] Naaz later found a manager who persuaded her parents to let her continue a career as a musician.[3] On 18 May 2017, Naaz released her debut single, "Words". A music video was released to accompany the song on June 8.[8] On 18 August 2017, Naaz released her second single, "Can't". A music video for the song came out a week later. On 13 October 2017, she released her third single, "Up to Something". On 25 October 2017, Naaz performed "Words" on Vevo DSCVR. On 12 February 2018, Naaz released her fourth single, "Loving Love". The single entered the Dutch Singles Tip and peaked at #30.[9]

On 30 April 2018, Naaz released her debut EP, Bits of Naaz.[10] Bits of Naaz debuted and peaked at #81 in the Netherlands,[9] and its success led to her to play at Rock Werchter and various European countries; she received two Edison Awards for the EP.[1] Naaz joined Hayley Kiyoko on her European Encore Tour.[11]

2019-present: the beautiful struggle, current music

On 14 June 2019, Naaz released the first single, "TAPED", for her second EP, the beautiful struggle,[12] and the second single, "damage", in September 2019,[13] which she said was a song about "emotionally damaged DNA".[14] On 27 September 2019, Naaz released the song "it's not you it's me". On 4 October 2019, Naaz released her sophomore EP, the beautiful struggle.[15]

Naaz joined Melanie Martinez on her K-12 tour in 2020.[16] She went on the beautiful struggle tour to promote her EP.[17]

On 10 July 2020, Naaz released the single "Mute Love".[18]

Awards and Nominations

Naaz has won two Edison Awards, a Dutch music award, and was nominated in two categories of the XITE Awards in 2017.[19]

In January 2020, Naaz won two awards at the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards, a music awards ceremony funded by the European Union.[20] Award winners received prizes of €10,000, with an additional €5,000 for the Public Choice award, which Naaz won.[21][22]

Discography

Extended plays
Title Details Peak chart positions
NL

[23]

Bits of Naaz
  • Released: 20 April 2018
  • Label: Top Notch Music BV
 81
the beautiful struggle
  • Released: 4 October 2019
  • Label: Top Notch Music BV
 —

Bits of Naaz

Track listing adapted from Amazon Music.

Bits of Naaz[24]
No.TitleLength
1."Someday"3:59
2."As Fun"3:51
3."Pretty"3:15
4."Mess Me Up"3:50
5."Words"4:13
6."Loving Love"3:29
7."Can't"3:25
8."Up To Something"3:24

the beautiful struggle

Track listing adapted from Apple Music.

the beautiful struggle[25]
No.TitleLength
1."heart drive"2:45
2."Do You?"3:37
3."it's not you it's me"2:24
4."damage :("3:22
5."TAPED"3:04
6."proud of me"3:29

Artistry

Naaz has listed Linkin Park, Lorde, and Tove Lo as musical inspirations.[26]

References
  1. School, Joep (8 July 2018). "Naaz: 'Ik heb een nogal ingewikkeld hoofd'". Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  2. "Naaz talks EP 'Bits of Naaz' and playing the NME stage at Live at Leeds". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 2018-05-01. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  3. "Meet Naaz, The Singer-Songwriter Blending Dutch And Kurdish Identities". NPR. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  4. "Zangeres Naaz 'paar maanden geleden' getrouwd met vriend Kevin". NU (in Dutch). 2020-12-04. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  5. "Premiere: Naaz - "damage :(" | Wonderland Magazine". Wonderland. 2019-09-19. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  6. "Naaz shares intriguing 'Bits Of Naaz' EP". diymag.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  7. Catch Me (feat. Naaz), retrieved 2021-02-09
  8. "18-Year-Old Dutch Singer Naaz Celebrates Diversity In Her Debut Video "Words"". The FADER. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  9. Hung, Steffen. "Naaz - Loving Love". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  10. Mohammed, Naaz. "Bits of Naaz Review".
  11. "Hayley Kiyoko". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  12. "TURTLENEK | NAAZ - Taped". TURTLENEK. 2019-07-01. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  13. "Premiere: Naaz - "damage :(" | Wonderland Magazine". Wonderland. 2019-09-19. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  14. "Muziek maken van omgevingsgeluiden? Naaz zorgt voor een nieuwe sound" (in Dutch). NPO Radio 1. 8 October 2019.
  15. "From Linkin Park to 'the beautiful struggle,' Welcome to the Life of Naaz [Q&A] / Ones To Watch". Ones To Watch. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  16. "Melanie Martinez + support: Naaz | 3/2 | Forum Karlín". goout.net. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  17. "Naaz Gigography, Tour History & Past Concerts – Songkick". www.songkick.com. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
  18. "Naaz – Music Moves Europe Talent Awards". Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  19. Kurdistan24. "Dutch Kurdish artist wins two prizes at Music Moves Europe Talent Awards". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  20. BingePost, Team (2020-01-18). "Italy's Meduza, Dutch singer Naaz Amongst Winners at Music Strikes Europe Expertise Awards". Binge Post. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  21. "Flohio, Meduza and Girl In Red among Music Moves Europe Talent Awards winners". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  22. Amter, Charlie (2020-01-18). "Italy's Meduza, Dutch singer Naaz Among Winners at Music Moves Europe Talent Awards". Variety. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  23. "Naaz - Loving Love - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  24. "Amazon Music Store - Music - Naaz - Bits of Naaz". April 20, 2018.
  25. "the beautiful struggle EP". April 20, 2018.
  26. "From Linkin Park to 'the beautiful struggle,' Welcome to the Life of Naaz [Q&A] / Ones To Watch". Ones To Watch. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
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