People
Saidah Nairobi: From Dance Career To Musical Artist
How did you get into dancing?
Saidah Nairobi – I’ve always loved the arts, and attended a performing arts high school in Atlanta, so dance and music have been in my life for a long time.
What inspires you?
Saidah Nairobi – Music, innovative people, creative performances, dancers, my personal and professional relationships, cheerful givers, nature, writing, spiritual guidance.
Who do you look up to?
Saidah Nairobi – The Word of God, my husband, my mother, pioneers and innovators in social movements, poetry, and the arts like Coretta Scott King, Maya Angelou, and Debbie Allen, and iconic entertainers like Beyonce and Michael Jackson.
Why did you decide to make dancing a career?
Saidah Nairobi – I knew I was passionate about music, dance, and performing. And at the time of my decision, I was in college studying to become an elementary education teacher, but I knew that as much I wanted to be a teacher, there had to be a way I could one day incorporate it into my other passions. Dance was my first pursuit, and ultimately became my career, but I knew that there would be more to my journey because there was more that I loved.
Who are some of your favorite artists you’ve danced for?
Saidah Nairobi – Ciara has become a good friend of mine, we are like family, and she has always had a special place in my heart because it was her and her choreographer, Jamaica Craft, that inspired my dance career greatly. They are the reason I felt there was a place for me in the dance industry. NeYo is also like family, from day one he embraced me like he’d known me all my life. Always positive energy when he’s around, and he just knows how to make everyone in the room feel at home.
Do you have any tours coming up?
Saidah Nairobi – I anticipate doing a book tour for my upcoming dance memoir titled, ‘The Journey of A Dream,’ that will be released in spring 2017. Also, a promo tour once my EP is complete.
What do you do during your off time?
Saidah Nairobi – I spend quality time with my husband, my poodle Juicy, my family, friends, sing on the praise/worship team at my best friend’s church, and build towards actualizing the goals of my family.
Saidah Nairobi, Describe your day to day.
Saidah Nairobi – Every day is different. I do not have a routine lifestyle lol. Today for example, I am answering these questions while away in the mountains of Tennessee. Another day I’ll be in the studio recording. Another day is full of meetings, another day packing to fly out to work.
What is some advice you can give to aspiring dancers?
Saidah Nairobi – My advice for aspiring dancers is to establish clear goals for yourself first. It’s one thing to aspire to dance, but once you realize your dream, what is next? What are your 5-year goals? 10-year? Write your visions down and make them plain. Be a visionary. Study your favorite dancers, favorite tours, favorite artists, and understand what it takes to become a professional dancer. Make sure you are physically strong and skilled to compete with the top dancers in the industry. And, put yourself out there. Social media is the most powerful discovery tool today. Use it to be creative and show your skills. You never know who is watching and looking for talent.
Describe the “We Are” project.
Saidah Nairobi – On the way home one night, my husband and I were listening to Nigerian musician, FelaKuti, and something about the horns we were hearing felt like a call to action. There was so much going on in the news about police brutality and African-American males lives being senselessly taken, I got inspired to write a song that speaks about the power and potential in us as a community. A song that is uplifting, that speaks truth, and also serves as positive affirmations to speak over yourself, your children, your family. We Are Trail-Blazers, We Are Game-Changers, We Are Way-Makers. We Are. We Are Dream-Weavers, We Are Light-Holders, We Are Love Soldiers. We Are. We Are God’s Children, We Are Truth-Seeking. We Are Peace-Driven. We Are.
Who is your ideal audience?
Saidah Nairobi – Men, women, children of all ages, races, and creed. “We Are,” is a globally uplifting song. It’s a song for anyone that wants and needs to feel positive, feel moved, feel inspired.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Saidah Nairobi – I see myself being an ambassador for good causes, being known as a community leader in Atlanta, creating opportunities for young people, reaching homes around the world through art, and expanding my family.