Aya Nakamura

Early Life

Aya Coco Danioko, known professionally as Aya Nakamura, was born on May 10, 1995, in Bamako, Mali. The eldest of five siblings, she hails from a family of griots, traditional West African storytellers and musicians. At a young age, her family emigrated to France, where she grew up in Aulnay-sous-Bois. Initially aspiring to be a fashion designer, she shifted her focus to music, adopting the stage name Aya Nakamura, inspired by a character from the TV series "Heroes". In May 2021, she was granted French nationality.

Career

Nakamura began her music career in 2014, releasing her first single "Karma" on Facebook. Her breakout came with the song "Brisé" and a collaboration with rapper Fababy on "Love d'un voyou". In 2017, she released her debut album, "Journal intime", which included the hit single "Comportement" and was certified platinum in France. Her second album, "Nakamura", released in 2018, was a massive success, featuring the chart-topping singles "Djadja" and "Copines". The album was certified diamond and sold over 1.2 million copies worldwide, establishing her as a leading figure in contemporary French music.

Personal Life

Nakamura is a practicing Muslim and has been involved in charitable work, supporting the ALIYAH association for children with health issues. She became a mother in 2016 and has had a tumultuous personal life, including a brief relationship with rapper Niska and a more recent relationship with music video producer Vladimir Boudnikoff, with whom she shares a daughter. In 2023, she faced legal challenges related to domestic violence but continues to thrive in her music career. As of August 2026, she is engaged to French rapper RK.