Explore 20 essential Aya Nakamura songs that showcase her unique sound and rich cultural influences.
Few contemporary artists embody the intersection of culture, language, and sonic innovation quite like Aya Nakamura. Born Aya Coco Danioko in Bamako, Mali, and raised in the Parisian suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois, she has reshaped the sound and perception of Francophone pop on a global scale.
At the heart of her music lies a rich cultural fusion: the vulnerability of R&B, the rhythmic pulse of Afrobeats, and the sway of Zouk —all woven together with lyrics that mix French, street vernacular, and her own inventive slang. It’s a sound forged in diaspora, shaped by internet-era sensibilities, and made magnetic by her sharp melodic instincts and unfiltered storytelling.
Her 2017 debut Journal Intime introduced Comportement, her first platinum-certified single in France. But it was her 2018 self-titled album Nakamura—and its global smash Djadja —that cemented her status as a cultural force. With over a billion streams and counting, Djadja made Aya Nakamura more than a local sensation; it made her a symbol of modern, boundary-pushing pop.
A former fashion student, she approaches her image with the same intentionality as her music—effortlessly commanding, always authentic. Whether delivering brash, swaggering hits like Pookie or stripped-down confessions like Brisé, her catalog is a masterclass in unapologetic self-expression and experimentation.
These are the 20 essential songs that define Aya Nakamura’s remarkable journey—from viral beginnings to global stardom.
1. Karma
Before the fame and accolades, there was Karma —a raw, homegrown release that quietly introduced Aya Nakamura’s gift to the digital underground. The song hints at the thematic DNA of her later work: betrayal, consequence, and the poetic justice that follows. Her delivery is more subdued than what fans would come to expect, but there’s a haunting soulfulness in her tone and a clarity in her phrasing that cuts deep. Karma never charted or lit up the airwaves, but in hindsight, it reads like a soft-spoken manifesto—a first glimpse of an artist with something to say and the nerve to say it on her own terms.
2. J’ai Mal
On J’ai Mal, Aya Nakamura transforms personal heartbreak into something universally felt. The production leans into late-2010s R&B—moody synths, a slow-burning tempo, and just enough space for her voice to ache and linger. While other later renditions of J’ai Mal have surfaced—including one on her DNK album with a completely different melody—it’s the 2017 original that captures Aya at her most emotionally unguarded. This is her in peak vulnerability, turning pain into poetry with devastating grace.
3. Brisé
Brisé marks Aya Nakamura’s first emotional peak—a wounded ballad delivered with quiet intensity. Originally released online and later polished for her 2017 debut Journal intime, it translates heartbreak into melody without melodrama. Aya doesn’t cry out; she simmers, using plainspoken French to express raw emotion. The power of Brisé lies in its restraint—turning vulnerability into strength with every understated note.
4. Bad Boy (ft. Fally Ipupa)
Aya Nakamura’s collaboration with Congolese star Fally Ipupa on Bad Boy is more than a musical duet—it’s a cultural bridge between African diasporas. The track explores the allure of chaos in love, with Aya embracing unpredictability and Fally responding with effortless charm. Blending Afrobeats and soukous, the production creates a lush, pan-African groove. Playful and seductive, Bad Boy fuses Parisian cool with continental heat in just a few minutes.
5. Comportement
Comportement signals a shift—from inward heartbreak to outward critique. Catchy and afropop-leaning, it’s more than just a breakup bop; it’s a sharp take on gender expectations. Aya Nakamura calls out bad behavior with wit and rhythm, questioning not only a man’s actions but the pressure on women to accept them. With this track, she begins shaping her public persona—not just the heartbroken woman but the one who calls out nonsense with a smirk and keeps dancing.
6. Djadja
When Djadja dropped, Aya Nakamura went from cult favorite to global sensation. The track’s brilliance lies in its simplicity: a catchy Afro-pop beat, infectious melodies, and a chorus that’s impossible not to sing along to. But its real power is in the message. With grace and restraint, Aya confronts rumors and disrespect, rejecting gossip, misogyny, and victim-blaming. Wrapped in an earworm, the song blends sarcasm with clarity, making its global success—despite being in French and full of street slang—nothing short of revolutionary.
7. 40%
Originally featured on Nakamura, 40% is a slow-burner that exposes Aya Nakamura’s vulnerability in the context of toxic love. The track explores the emotional toll of partial commitment and the toxicity of withholding feelings in modern relationships. With a minimalist production, her voice takes the lead, delivering a sharp critique of half-hearted efforts and emotional games. It’s a raw reflection on the damage caused by toxic love, wrapped in a hauntingly intimate sound.
8. Copines
Copines takes a playful turn, swapping confrontation for flirtation and fun. With a mix of sarcasm and self-assured charm, Aya Nakamura responds to a jealous lover’s accusations. Light in tone yet heavy in meaning, it celebrates female solidarity over male suspicion, all wrapped in an afropop groove that made it a social media sensation. While TikTok and Instagram Reels helped propel its popularity, the true legacy of Copines is Aya’s knack for making the casual feel like an anthem.
9. Pookie
On Pookie, Aya Nakamura hits peak swagger. Riding the momentum of Nakamura, she blends her signature melodic phrasing with drill-inspired beats and a cheeky hook. The titular Pookie represents a nosy figure or overbearing lover, and Aya delivers her lines with playful venom: “Pookie dans l’safa”. The phrase feels like a generational catchphrase, flipping the power dynamic and dismissing masculine entitlement unapologetically. While the remix with Lil Pump added American flair, the original remains a club banger, dripping with female defiance and streetwise elegance.
10. La Dot
La Dot is an R&B-pop anthem with a cultural punch. Referencing the dowry system still practiced in parts of Mali and West Africa, Aya Nakamura honors her heritage while questioning its relevance in modern life. She doesn’t reject the tradition but challenges the transactional view of women it can sometimes imply. With silky R&B textures and assertive lyrics, the song balances homage and resistance, showcasing Aya’s skill in blending personal reflection with broader social commentary.
11. Doudou
Named after a French term of endearment, Doudou is gentle yet captivating. Aya Nakamura’s effortless cadence flows over a sun-soaked beat, blending Afro-pop and R&B. The track is feel-good but carries depth, exploring desire, companionship, and emotional safety. Where some artists over-explain love, Aya makes it feel instinctual. The hypnotic repetition of “mon doudou” casts a spell, and the song became a fan favorite not by trying too hard but by not needing to.
12. Plus Jamais (ft. Stormzy)
If Djadja was the clapback, Plus Jamais is the closure. Featuring a soul-baring verse from Stormzy, the song confronts toxic love with brutal honesty. Aya doesn’t beg or plead; she simply decides to walk away. Her voice is steady, resigned—this is the moment of finality. The spacious, moody beat allows her words to land, while Stormzy’s verse adds depth without overshadowing her, grounding the track in a universal truth.
13. Jolie Nana
Jolie Nana is an infectious bop! Aya’s cheeky, confident chorus stands as the heart of the track, effortlessly pulling you in. The song is a bold celebration of women who know their worth, with Aya wielding flirtation as a confident flex, owning every moment and every lyric.
14. Bobo
Bobo is a slow burn, where the title—slang for a sweet talker or manipulative lover—captures the blend of sweetness and suspicion in Aya’s delivery. The nostalgic melody lingers like a fading memory. It’s not a dancefloor filler but a subtle reflection of Aya’s growth—both sonically and emotionally. No longer falling for illusions, she calls them out gently, with clarity.
15. Dégaine (ft. Damso)
On Dégaine, Aya and Belgian rapper Damso craft an atmospheric duet that blends style with substance. The track exudes sensuality while reflecting on image, perception, and emotional armor. Dégaine (swag or demeanor) explores how their public personas align with their private selves. Damso’s brooding delivery complements Aya’s cool, creating a sleek, urbane vibe that glides through the Paris night. It’s emotionally ambiguous, saying more in what it withholds than what it reveals.
16. SMS
SMS delves into relationships in the digital age, where grand gestures are replaced by read receipts, ghosting, and passive-aggressive emojis. The clean beat blends R&B smoothness with afropop flair, giving Aya’s vocals space to carry the emotional weight. Lyrically, she captures the anxiety and loneliness of texting culture—feeling close to someone yet completely alone.
17. Baby
On this track, Aya Nakamura drops her guard with an upbeat, infectious love bop that effortlessly showcases her romantic side. The vibrant, textured production pulses with energy, creating a playful yet emotionally open atmosphere that invites listeners in. With its catchy melodies and carefree vibe, the track quickly proves its viral appeal, blending joy and intimacy in a way that feels both fresh and universally relatable.
18. Love
At first listen, Love sounds like your typical pop song, but Aya uses its simplicity to dig deeper. Rather than getting lost in poetic complexity, she focuses on the word itself—what does love really mean, and who gets to define it? For Aya, love is messy, sometimes beautiful, and often frustrating. Her delivery is clear but emotionally detached, leaving you to wonder whether she’s celebrating love or questioning its value. The glossy beat captures the streaming era, but it’s her cool, clear-headed delivery that gives the song its edge.
19. Hype (ft. Ayra Starr)
Hype is bold, bright, and full of good energy. While the track originally existed without Ayra Starr, her inclusion adds a dynamic layer, with the Nigerian pop star matching Aya Nakamura bar for bar. Together, they create a track that’s both a passing of the torch and a celebration of female empowerment. It’s not about love or heartbreak—it’s about the vibe.
20. Doggy
Let’s be clear, Doggy is cheeky, but beneath its playful exterior, Aya Nakamura asserts fearless control over her sexuality. In a culture that often shames women for expressing desire, she flips the script—she’s not just partaking, she’s leading. The song doesn’t moralize or justify itself; it simply exists, unbothered. With light, fun production and a club-ready vibe, Aya Nakamura’s deadpan delivery makes the track iconic!
