Natanya: Pop Star, Movie Star, Wrestler

In the ephemeral bloom of a London spring day on Hampstead Heath, emerging artist Natanya, aged 23, offers a potent distillation of her performance philosophy: "Sing like a pop star, perform like a movie star, and train like a wrestler." This striking analogy, she explains, draws a parallel between the rigorous demands of the wrestling arena and the multifaceted artistry required in the music industry. "Wrestlers and musicians have to do the same thing, and really do it for themselves," Natanya asserts. "First, it’s about the brand – how well can you sell the fantasy? Then, you also have to be really competent, in a very physical sense." This dedication to a holistic approach to artistry has been instrumental in her rapid ascent.

A Rapid Ascent in the Music Landscape

Natanya’s trajectory over the past few years has been nothing short of meteoric. She has graced stages as a supporting act for internationally recognized artists such as PinkPantheress, Ravyn Lenae, and FLO, demonstrating her ability to captivate diverse audiences. Her collaborative spirit has also seen her team up with other burgeoning talents in the London music scene, including Unflirt. Most recently, she lent her distinctive vocal stylings to Jim Legaxcy’s single "idk idk," further solidifying her presence as a sought-after collaborator. If, as Natanya provocatively suggests, the stage is indeed a wrestling ring, then she operates as a formidable mixed martial artist, fluidly transitioning between the velvety, soul-baring textures of R&B and the propulsive energy of pop ballads that echo the sonic landscape of the early 2000s.

This distinctive fusion of nostalgic influences with an inherent, internet-native charm is deeply rooted in her upbringing. Natanya’s formative years were marked by rigorous classical jazz piano and vocal training. Simultaneously, she absorbed her father’s profound appreciation for the musical genius of Michael Jackson and the emotive power of gospel music. Her curiosity also led her to extensively explore YouTube, where she discovered the pioneering artists of the 2010s across indie, R&B, and pop genres. Figures such as Tyler, The Creator, SZA, and Doechii, whose work profoundly shaped her artistic sensibilities, have, in turn, acknowledged her talent with social media endorsements.

Early Career Milestones and Artistic Evolution

While concurrently pursuing an English Literature degree at University College London (UCL), Natanya released her debut EP, Sorrow at Sunrise, in 2023. This initial offering provided a glimpse into her burgeoning talent. However, it was her two-part EP, Feline’s Return, released across 2024 and 2025, that truly showcased her sophisticated approach to world-building within her music. Natanya distinguishes herself as an artist who actively engages with and manipulates musical elements. This is evident in her innovative use of guitar riffs that draw from classical R&B, her vintage palette of ad-libs and backing vocal phrases, and the audacious inclusion of a UK rap-inspired "jerk beat" on her track "Dangerous." Each song becomes an opportunity to meticulously reconfigure her sound, demonstrating a relentless pursuit of sonic exploration. "I’m chipping at this rock every day in any way I can," she confides. "Creativity is much more expensive than perfection."

The Dawn of a New Era: "DON’T ASK!"

The release of her latest single, "DON’T ASK!", marks a significant moment, serving as the vanguard of her forthcoming, as-yet-unannounced project. This single, characterized by its assertive declaration, has been interpreted as a bold statement of intent. Addressing the inspiration behind the track, Natanya elaborates, "It’s about confidence, asserting your identity or vision, not being ashamed and not standing last in line waiting to see if someone will let you in. Instead, it’s about bashing the door down, smashing the ceilings. I wanted to start off this new process by just going as crazy as possible and not holding back anymore."

This new chapter represents a clear evolution from her previous work. Natanya describes the upcoming project as a significant leap forward, stating, "This new project is going to be fifty billion times – okay, maybe don’t write fifty billion down – but more than ten times better than whatever I’ve done, a graduation from what’s already happened. There is so much power, like a home run. I had a lot of fun with the creativity in Feline’s Return Act II, but now I’m taking a left turn." This "left turn" suggests a deliberate departure from established sonic pathways, signaling a period of intense creative experimentation and growth.

Collaborative Synergy and Artistic Dedication

Natanya’s creative process is further enriched by her recent collaboration with Oscar Scheller, a renowned songwriter and producer known for his work with PinkPantheress. The genesis of their collaboration began with a direct message from Scheller after the release of Natanya’s 2023 album, Raining Tomorrow. While initially deferring the opportunity due to her specific creative vision, they eventually convened for a session in London. Natanya praises Scheller’s approach, noting his ability to foster an environment where ideas can flourish organically. "Oscar doesn’t impose any of his ideas; rather, he lets them live for themselves," she explains. "It’s a good sign when I can just make a noise with my mouth and he knows exactly what sound to get." The resulting track, "DON’T ASK!", is, according to Natanya, a testament to their burgeoning creative chemistry, embodying the nascent stages of their artistic partnership.

The demanding schedule of releasing two EPs while completing her degree at UCL provided Natanya with invaluable insights into the realities of pursuing a career in music. "That you really have to want to do it, because it’s a lot of, quote unquote, ‘sunk cost’ and ‘wasted time’," she reflects. "When you’re trying to create something bigger, you have to dedicate a lot. You also have to give it your all when you have the chance." This realization led her to prioritize her musical aspirations over a more conventional career path that might have followed her degree, understanding that sustaining and excelling in both endeavors simultaneously would be untenable.

The Shifting Sands of Influence and Perspective

Natanya identifies a growing perspective as a key indicator of her current creative phase. She draws a parallel to Michael Jackson’s artistic evolution, referencing his autobiography Moonwalker, where he discusses his decision to alter his visual presentation for Thriller. "There wasn’t a plan," Natanya observes. "Sometimes, you just become disenchanted with the previous rules you’ve made for yourself." This suggests an innate drive to break free from self-imposed limitations and explore new creative territories.

Her relationship with her musical influences has also evolved. While artists like Janet Jackson were a constant presence in her household, Natanya has cultivated a more personal and analytical connection with their work, examining their music, dance, and visual aesthetics. This shift has led her to explore the "mundane" aspects of their lives, drawing parallels between their experiences and her own. Her long-standing admiration for Amy Winehouse, for instance, has deepened with an interest in the shared experiences of their North London upbringing. Recounting teenage excursions to parks and record stores frequented by Winehouse, Natanya expresses a profound connection to the artist’s personal narrative, finding resonance in the everyday details of their lives.

Female Icons and the Art of Performance

The female figures who have shaped Natanya’s perspective are predominantly those who exhibit a "sport-like approach" to their craft. She highlights Gwen Stefani’s band No Doubt, Nelly Furtado, Janet Jackson, and Beyoncé as exemplars of this ethos. "I love how they train, and the way that they choose their aesthetics," she explains. "They pull from the most random things and translate that through fashion and world-building. Expanding these worlds is like a sport to them." This perspective underscores her appreciation for artists who approach their careers with a strategic and physically demanding dedication, akin to athletes.

The comparison between wrestling and music, which Natanya frequently draws, is rooted in this shared emphasis on performance and branding. "They’re two of the most similar things, wrestling and music," she states emphatically. "In popular culture, wrestlers and musicians have to do the same thing, and really do it for themselves: firstly, it’s about the brand – how well can you sell the fantasy? Then, you also have to be really competent too, in a very physical sense." This dual requirement of compelling narrative and physical prowess is central to her artistic philosophy.

WWE Fandom and Performance as a Spectacle

Within the realm of professional wrestling, Natanya expresses a particular admiration for AJ Lee, citing her as a favorite. She also harbors a fondness for the "Attitude era," appreciating the complexity of characters that transcend simple good-versus-evil archetypes. "I love this idea of a character that isn’t specifically bad or good, integrating those two parts of yourself, and presenting that to the world," she explains. This fascination with nuanced characterization directly informs her approach to her own music and performance. "Wrestling is actually super important to this project. I think I’m approaching it like a wrestler."

This wrestling mindset profoundly shapes her approach to live performance. "You know Wrestlemania? The stage is my ring," Natanya declares. "Performing is like a match. You’re combining the things you have trained in – singing, dancing, communicating – and you can actually see your fans’ faces. That is where I am most genuine." This vivid metaphor highlights her commitment to delivering an authentic and dynamic performance that engages directly with her audience, transforming the stage into a space of intense personal expression and connection.

The Impact of Recognition and the Cycle of Influence

Receiving recognition from artists she once idolized has been a deeply moving experience for Natanya. She recounts being moved to tears by acknowledgment from Tyler, The Creator. This moment prompted a crucial reflection on the importance of appreciating opportunities amidst the demanding pace of the industry. "In the midst of everything, you can become really desensitised to the importance of so many of these opportunities," she admits. "You have to stop and remember what it felt like to be the person who once had no clue how to do what you’re doing right now."

She vividly recalls her teenage self, dreaming of seeing these artists perform live, restricted to watching them online due to parental restrictions. The surreal realization that these same artists now know her name, and moreover, have shared her music with their own fanbases, represents a profound cyclical connection. "I was once a person who listened to them, so when they shared it, someone else would have been influenced," she muses. "And that cycle is crazy." This interconnectedness underscores the far-reaching impact of artistic influence and the potential for emerging artists to inspire future generations, just as they were inspired themselves.

"DON’T ASK!" is currently available, signaling the commencement of an exciting new phase in Natanya’s burgeoning career.