Defining what actually drives a breakout moment for an artist has never been harder to pinpoint. There are more ways to be seen, more access, yet less clarity on what cuts through to make a career vs. a flash of momentum.
It poses the question: In 2026, what’s the definition of a “big-break?”
Now, rarely is there one moment that takes an artist to the next level, but a culmination of them.
A co-sign from a big label name.
A viral moment turned into a new class of fans.
A debut tour.
For someone early in her career, Nali has already had many of those moments. Her introduction into music came with a viral clip that circulated a few years back, followed by a recent collaboration with Coi Leray, and now an opening spot on tour with Jordan Ward.
Still, she’s far more compelling than any list of early-career accomplishments. A few listens in, and the honesty in her music makes the rise make all the sense.
An NYC-based R&B/jazz songstress out of Flatbush, Brooklyn, Nali makes music that feels disarmingly personal. Her debut project, I Love NALI, released last summer, introduced a sound that sits between R&B, jazzy textures, and airy, whimsy vocal production. Modern, yet wrapped in the kind of timelessness most artists spend a lifetime chasing.
Tracks like “All Day” and “Crossfaded” illustrate her sweet spot: speaking to blurred lines, sparring emotions, and the unspoken truths most would keep close to their chest.
Like many artists today, her early momentum lived online, but her next stage of growth is unfolding out on the road.
Earlier this month, I met Nali eight days before she would head out on tour with Jordan Ward on The Apartment Tour, one of the most coveted, rising names in alternative R&B.
When I walk into Gramercy Studios, Nali is already deep in rehearsal. Seated with her father and engineer, Ash Levi. I caught a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her team fine-tuning her debut setlist.
Her father sits on the floor, offering notes between songs. “When the hook drops, make sure you’re in the center of the stage,” he says. “You have to study the greats. Watch performances.” Beyoncé comes up.
Ash Levi, a familiar name in New York studio circles and a mentee of acclaimed producer/engineer Steven Mandel, chimes in, helping fine-tune set flow. A close creative collaborator, he’ll also be on the road as her DJ, shaping the live experience.
Over the next few days, I followed her through the studio and a tour fitting, watching what it looks like when an artist steps into a pivotal moment for the first time, and why it comes just as she was ready to walk away from music entirely.
A Sit-Down Q&A With Nali
We’re sitting in rehearsal eight days before you hit the road with Jordan Ward. What does this moment feel like?
Nali: Originally, I had a tour opportunity with another artist in the R&B space. That tour ended up falling through — it got canceled for reasons outside of my control. I was honestly so depressed. I felt like, “Damn, this was going to help leverage my career.” Your first tour feels like a real shift.
But about a week later, my agent called me and said, “Yo, we just got an offer for another tour.” I was like, “Oh? From who?” He said, “Jordan Ward.” And I was like, “An offer from Jordan Ward? I got an offer?” I didn’t expect that at all. I was so excited. I was emotional. I was just sitting in the airport having a hard day, and then I got that call. It completely shifted everything.
How long ago was that and how have you been preparing since the call?
Nali: I believe that was sometime in October when I got the call. The announcement happened maybe a month later. Around that time, I was also working on my project. Originally, I planned to drop it around now and use the tour to push it.
But I realized I needed to move in a more elevated sonic space to really grow. Even if I’m not pushing the new project directly on this tour, it’s still a great opportunity. When people see my show and think, “I love this, let me check her out,” they can go back to my older music — and then when the new project drops, they’ll hear the growth.
Before this tour, you almost stepped away from music entirely. What changed?
Nali: I’m very spiritual, and honestly, I didn’t take the route of being super consistent and posting every day like, “You’re going to see me no matter what.” I posted when I felt like it. Going viral was not on my 2026 bingo card — it wasn’t even on my 2024 bingo card. I actually had just quit. I said, “I’m not paying $200 for studio sessions anymore. I’m going to nursing school. I’m going to pursue midwifery and do music as a hobby.” But I posted one last snippet before quitting — and that’s the one that went viral.
At the time, I had deactivated my Instagram. I didn’t even have an account. A producer friend of mine called me and said, “You know you’re going viral, right?” I was like, “Where? My TikTok is dry.” He said, “No, on Instagram.” I was like, “How? I don’t even have Instagram.”
He showed me that RJ from I Breathe Music Daily had reposted my snippet from TikTok onto Instagram, and it had around 600,000 views. Everyone was commenting, “Finish it.” And I was like, “Oh yeah. I’m finishing this.” That was my jump back into it. But even after that, I was still lost. Even when I met my manager, I was like, “Okay… this is weird. You want me to sing? Sure.” It all happened so fast.
Your sound isn’t typical R&B. Where does the jazz side come in?
Nali: I’ve always been drawn to more jazz-based R&B. It just feels more interesting to me. I feel like I can do more with it.
I wasn’t close with my grandfather, but he was a jazz saxophone player. Maybe it just runs through us. Even my dad, when he made music earlier in his life, it was more modern R&B. But when he sent me his unreleased demos, it had that D’Angelo-type production.
I’ve always loved that. When I first found my producer, Jah, he already had that jazz-based production style. A lot of it samples from jazz records. And I was just like, “Oh yeah. I love this. This is fun.”
Creatively, what else inspires you?
Nali: Honestly, just looking at where music is today, I feel like we’re missing something. We’re missing that era when we had Katy Perry, will.i.am, Rihanna, T-Pain, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj when we were constantly being introduced to fun, exciting music. Right now, things feel heavy. There’s a lot going on, politically, socially — and it can make you feel weighed down. Music is supposed to pull you out of that.
When a 2010 throwback comes on in the club, everyone lights up. It’s like, this is what we need. Where is that energy now? That’s part of why I want to make that fun kind of music too. It’s coming.
What’s the biggest difference between your last project and the new music?
Nali: My next project the sonics are elevated. It’s still jazz-centered, but bigger, more engaging, more digestible. I want to reach more people while still being me.
Your dad was at rehearsal today. How has that relationship influenced you as an artist?
Nali: It’s funny because we’re here at Green Light this is actually where I first started recording. My dad had a studio here.
I asked him one day, “Can I come record?” And he was like, “What kind of question is that? Of course.” Before that, he would put me in sessions with his friends, but I was always nervous to sing in front of people. So when 2020 happened and it was just me in the studio, he told me, “Go sing. Go figure it out.” At first, he’d introduce me to writers and sit in the back while I found myself, but he also taught me what makes a record.
Early on, I didn’t understand the difference between a personal song and a record. A hit is intentional. There’s structure. I didn’t even know what a bridge was. I thought the verse and hook was enough. He always made sure I was protected. Now that I’m going on my first major tour, he’s stepping back in more. He’s like, “I’ve done this before. I know what can go wrong. Let’s prevent it.” He doesn’t care if I get annoyed. He’s just being a dad. I don’t think I’ll ever do the “dadager” thing, but he’ll always be there.
When you step on stage on this tour, many people will be hearing you for the first time. What excites you and what scares you?
Nali: I’m nervous about the blank stares. I’ve seen openers go on and people just stand there like, “Okay… wrap it up.” That’s scary. It does something to you.
But I’m excited to learn how to handle technical difficulties in real time. Right now, if something goes wrong, I might freeze. I want to get to a place where I can just catch myself and keep going. Energy matters. People can feel when you’re unsure. I’m also excited to see what songs people respond to. That’ll teach me a lot about what feels like an album cut vs. what draws people in immediately.
What can people expect from a Nali set?
Nali: The music is very raw, very diary-like, and I feel like I reflect that energy too. What you see is what you get. If you want a good laugh and great music, or you don’t have a best friend I can be your virtual best friend. We can hang out and laugh together.
Most played song this week?
Nali: “Watch n’ Learn” by Rihanna. I’ve been playing that whole album on repeat.
Which of your songs will sound best live?
Nali: Probably “Options” or “Journal Entry.”
Pre-show ritual?
Prayer and vocal warm-ups. I never used to warm up, but now I have to.
One thing people shouldn’t do at a show?
Nali: Talk. That’s rude.
One thing they should do?
Nali: Remember the person on stage is human. Artists are sensitive about their work. Even if you hate it, just be kind.
Final question: how are you grown, and how are you still growing?
Nali: I can have a drink. That’s grown. And I’m always growing. Especially right now. Everything is moving fast. It’s exciting, but it’s also spooky sometimes. Even now with more eyes on me, I’m like, “Am I ready for this?” This wasn’t in my plans, but maybe it was supposed to be.
Stream “I Love NALI” on all platforms.
