Since her debut The Tree Act in 2019, Nappy Nina has carved out a space for herself as a distinct voice in hip-hop by consistently delivering complex bars over genre-bending beats. Teaming up with rising producer Swarvy, her latest album Nothing Is My Favorite Thing feels like both a natural extension of her previous work and a new chapter in her evolution as an artist.
Using Swarvy’s soothing beats as her backdrop, Nina uses this album to explore the tension between modern life’s chaotic pace and the desire to slow down and process it all. “Shit feels like it’s moving too fast right now,” Nina explains in the album’s press release, and the 16 songs on Nothing Is My Favorite Thing serve as a counterbalance to that frenetic pace.
Throughout the album, Nina’s verses feel both effortless and deliberate, creating a space for listeners to sit with the weight of her words. Her dynamic flow, rooted in both the Oakland and Brooklyn underground scenes, perfectly wraps around Swarvy’s atmospheric production—with hazy basslines, off-kilter rhythms, and soulful samples that create a meditative, smoked-out vibe. The result is an album that feels unhurried, full of space for Nina’s words to breathe and sink in. Highlights like “Crash Early,” “Bread” and “Groundhog Day” are packed with sharp, introspective bars that showcase Nina’s unique storytelling ability while also solidifying her as a vital voice in today’s experimental hip-hop landscape.
Following standout releases like 30 Bag (2020), Double Down (released in 2021 with producer JWords), and Mourning Due (2023), Nothing Is My Favorite Thing reaffirms Nappy Nina’s place as one of hip-hop’s most unique and exciting voices. It’s an album that demands attention and rewards patience, a testament to Nina’s dedication to her craft and her ability to push the boundaries of what hip-hop can sound like.
Listen/buy: Apple Music | Spotify
