South African hip-hop sensation Nadia Nakai has announced the postponement of her highly anticipated single "Really," featuring Nasty C, originally slated for release tomorrow, November 21, 2025. The decision serves as a powerful act of solidarity with the nationwide Women for Change shutdown protesting gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
Nakai, known for her chart-topping hits and unapologetic lyricism, shared the news via an emotional Instagram video on November 19, explaining that while the release date was locked in months ago, the urgency of the moment demanded a pause. "This date was chosen a couple months ago, but I'm going to move my release date for obvious reasons," she said, urging fans to check her now-purple profile picture—a symbol of the movement. "If you don't know, just check my profile picture and what I stand for. Quarter to December. Watch out for that. I also cancelled my gigs on Friday. Enough's enough."
The single, a high-energy collaboration blending Nakai's signature punchy hooks with Nasty C's razor-sharp verses, has been teased as a "call-and-response" anthem inspired by personal triumphs and relational truths. It will now drop on November 28, allowing the artist to fully participate in the shutdown, which calls on women, girls, and the LGBTQI+ community to halt paid and unpaid work for the day, spotlighting South Africa's ongoing GBV crisis. The petition accompanying the protest, demanding GBV be declared a national disaster, has already surpassed one million signatures.
Nakai's move extends beyond music; she has canceled all performances scheduled for November 21, joining thousands who are changing their social media avatars to purple in a wave of visible allyship. Her actions echo a growing chorus from the entertainment industry, where artists are leveraging platforms for social change amid a year that has seen heightened activism around women's rights.
"I'm standing with my sisters because silence isn't an option anymore," Nakai stated in her announcement. "This isn't just about a song—it's about lives. The beat can wait; justice can't."
Fans and advocates have flooded social media with praise, with hashtags like #PurpleShutdown and #NadiaStandsWithWomen trending across platforms. The postponement has sparked broader conversations about the role of artists in activism, with many hailing Nakai as a "queen who gets it right."
Women for Change, the advocacy group spearheading the protest, commended Nakai's commitment in a statement: "Nadia's decision amplifies the voices of survivors and reminds us that true power lies in collective action. We are grateful for allies like her who choose impact over income."
"Really" marks Nakai's first major release since her heartfelt tribute to the late AKA earlier this year, signaling a return to form with themes of resilience and real talk. Pre-save links are live on major streaming platforms, with exclusive behind-the-scenes content promised for the new date.
For more on the G20 Women’s Shutdown, visit womenforchange.co.za. Stream Nadia Nakai's catalog on Spotify, Apple Music, and beyond.
About Nadia Nakai
Nadia Nakai, aka Bragga, is a Johannesburg-based rapper, entrepreneur, and Def Jam Africa signee whose discography includes the platinum-certified album A Girl Should Be Mad. With over 1.5 million monthly listeners, she continues to redefine South African hip-hop through bold storytelling and boundary-pushing collaborations.
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