On season one of NBC’s “The Voice,” Nakia quickly became a fan favorite, using his big grizzly voice to transform pop songs into his own unique style. While producers focused on his relationship with his husband and his struggle to make ends meet as a blues singer, they didn’t show audiences just how Nakia was a beloved member of the Austin music community, fronting bands, being of service to his community, and working with some music’s biggest names including Sharon Jones, Alejandro Escovedo, BB King, and The Muppets.

After the whirlwind of reality television died down, Nakia placed his focus on writing songs for his six-song EP, “Drown In The Crimson Tide,” and the tour that followed. Four years later he recorded and released his acclaimed album, “Blues Grifter.” Prior to the pandemic, Nakia had just begun writing new original songs and performing solo shows, and putting together a new band. When live events were canceled due to COVID-19, Nakia put more of his efforts into artist advocacy and led his nonprofit, Austin Texas Musicians, to advocate for the creation of emergency relief funding to musicians and music venues in Austin. Matthew McConaughey recently surprised Nakia with a private Zoom call where McConaughey named Nakia one of four, “Local Legends” as recognition of his volunteer work for the Austin music community during the pandemic. Nakia has recently been composing for film (Wasted On The Young) and TV (Skeleton Crew, Demon Doctor). During the pandemic Nakia recorded and released a 15-song musical called Dueling Pianos he co-wrote with Joshua R. Pangborn.

Nakia currently serves on the Board Governors for the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy and is the founding President of the advocacy nonprofit, Austin Texas Musicians. Nakia is a two-time Black Fret artist grant recipient. He lives in Austin, Texas with his husband Robert and their Bouvier des Flandres, Baker.