Nadri Nami’s “Tradition” is an ode to Womanhood, Liberation and Choosing Yourself
Answer this question… When did you first experience your first true womanhood moment?
The moment you realized that your kitty cat is bomb. Or the day you finally mustered the courage to wear that tiny skirt you’d been daydreaming about – and it fit like a glove. Or maybe it was the realization that the love you were searching for didn’t require all that extra effort, because the person meant to give it to you was staring back at you in the mirror. I’m talking about that moment.
That is the energy Nadri Nami’s newest single “Tradition” embodies. Freegxrl Media sat down with the Toronto-based RnB singer to unpack her latest release and the personal evolution that shaped it.
Formerly known as Oshanna, Nadri Nami has long been known for crafting soul-forward records steeped in depth and melody. “Tradition” is a natural extension of that sound, while simultaneously marking a shift – one rooted in liberation, self-possession, and feminine strength. When asked who Nadri Nami is in this current season of her life, she shared: “Nadri is an evolved version of Oshanna. I’m in between who I am currently am and who I’m growing into – a more sovereign, grounded, emotionally solid version of myself. A metamorphosis, if you will”.
The name change itself is intentional. Derived from her middle names, Nadrika Naomi, Nadri represents flow, sensuality and beauty – qualities that mirror both her sound and her sense of self.
Now let’s get into the track.
From the moment “Tradition” begins, listeners are transported into Nadri’s world. The production carries a modern, Summer Walker-esque RnB feel, layered with a subtle Caribbean twist and sensual, nostalgic undertones that keep you hooked. The lyrics are straightforward yet purposeful, reinforcing the song’s core message: embracing who you are and what you want, unapologetically. And for women navigating a world that constantly attempts to minimize or silence them, that act alone is radical.
“It was hard for me to write at first because I didn’t want to write about heartbreak”, Nadri explained. “I removed Oshanna as my name because I felt like I was writing from where she was – from heartbreak and misery. I felt like I was attaching my music to my life experiences a little too much. I’m actively making a choice to be a different version of myself. I’m no longer tethered to that identity”.
Choosing herself also meant revisiting what tradition looks like in her romantic life – because, quite frankly, the streets are more ghetto than ever.
“I’m looking for Tradition,” she said. “These days men are not interested and try to talk you out of things like marriage and make sense of it. Like, just say you don’t want me. I value it and I want someone to want me that much… So much that they want to marry me.”
Art often mirrors life, and “Tradition” is no exception. When asked whether the themes in the song reflect where she currently is, Nadri began with, “I was dating a Nigerian man…” We paused – because bravery. She laughed before continuing.
“I eventually got to a place of like ‘Hey, we’ve been doing this for 5 months… what are we doing???’ I finally hit someone with that question, and I had NEVER done that before. I’m usually the cool girl, but my heart is in a different place now. I’m receiving men differently. I’m receiving myself differently. I’ve gone to therapy. I do the introspection. It speaks to the woman that I am and the one I’m becoming. That situation showed me that I’m truly stepping into the woman I want to become.”
There comes a moment in every woman’s life when a choice must be made – one that determines how she will relate to herself moving forward. “Tradition” is an ode to women choosing themselves and their desires, regardless of what people or society has normalized. And let’s be real: no one chooses to be in a situationship. No one.
With “Tradition”, Nadri Nami delivers yet another melodic offering that feels both grounded and freeing. The track is now available on all streaming platforms and it’s definitely packed with replay value.