The singer-songwriter, producer, and keyboardist has built her reputation at the intersection of pop, alt-R&B, and soul, but her current chapter feels less like a genre shift and more like a philosophical one. After years of commanding major stages as a musician-for-hire — including serving as a lead vocalist in JC Chasez’s former mega girl group and performing as part of America’s Got Talent’s house band , Nyla XO is stepping fully into the spotlight on her own terms.
Fresh off an intimate performance at Hotel Café opening for Fatai, Nyla XO describes the experience as transformational — not because of scale, but because of energy. “In the past, the larger stages I have performed on have been as a keyboard player supporting other artists. I’ve only had one experience where I was on a large stage as a solo artist,” she explains. “But when comparing that experience to this one, what I can say is that it really makes you appreciate the energy that people give you. It’s easy for people to have energy and interact when they’re sharing space with thousands of other people, but when the audience gives you BIG energy in a smaller room, it means so much more. They’re really giving you everything they’ve got.” It’s a sharp contrast to arena-sized anonymity. In a room like Hotel Café, there’s no smoke machine to hide behind, only eye contact.
“I love that you can see people’s faces, their reactions and that you can be more conversational with them,” she says. “It feels like you’re in a living room with all your friends sharing stories, laughing, crying and just being silly. I also think it’s super vulnerable because there’s nothing to hide behind — no big stage props, no crazy lights and effects. So it really challenges you to be on point as a performer to keep people engaged and locked in.”
Nyla XO performs at Hotel Cafe
Credit – Jesus Montero
For an artist whose sonic world thrives on emotional nuance, that vulnerability isn’t a liability. It’s the point. Her North American run supporting Fatai’s forthcoming album wasn’t just another booking, it was a manifestation of a long-held vision between friends. “This tour was something that we had dreamt up a few years back as two friends who love each other as people, and as artists,” Nyla XO says. “Although we do have some overlap sonically, we do bring different energies when it comes to our music which creates such a cool dynamic and show.”
Industry recognition has followed her for years. Winning the Billboard x Samsung NXT 2.0 competition signaled early validation, while co-signs from artists and tastemakers like Tinashe, Flo Milli, Tabitha Brown, and the legendary production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis placed her squarely on the radar of culture-shapers. But for Nyla XO, accolades are additive, not defining. “Success looks like having direct access and community with my listeners,” she says. “I’m such a social individual, and have always prioritized deep connections with people. Sometimes with social media, things can feel stale, and less interactive, even when there’s engagement. So having opportunities to curate experiences, live shows, and share more than just music, but life with my community outside of the algorithm feels like a huge win to me.” It’s a telling perspective in a numbers driven industry. “Numbers and accolades don’t always translate to long term success, but connection and value always does.”
In other words, streams fade. Community stays.
If this next chapter is defined by intimacy, it’s also marked by expansion. Nyla XO’s upcoming project sees her pushing beyond the parts of herself that once felt safest to share. “I’d say I’ve really experimented with my sound in my newest project. Between the messaging, attitude and overall energy of the songs, it’s allowing me to step into these new characters,” she reveals. “I saw a lot of glimpses of it on this tour, and it was actually one of the most rewarding pieces of feedback I got from people who saw the show. They felt like they could see those characters through the performance and how the storytelling transformed from song to song. With this new music, the risk that I’m allowing myself to take is showing all sides of my personality and not just the parts that feel safe.”
It’s a subtle but radical move, especially for an artist who has spent years supporting others’ visions. Now, she’s constructing her own universe, one that prioritizes storytelling, emotional agility, and real-world connection over spectacle.
