◇ image via WikipediaNao
Nao is an act on the Starverb influence map. Their sound grew out of Dyo, Disclosure, Ezra Collective and A. K. Paul. Those roots explain a lot about how Nao arrange songs and choose their tones. They run in the same orbit as Mahalia, Joy Crookes, Joyce Wrice, VanJess and serpentwithfeet, sharing audiences, venues and reference points rather than a straight line of influence. Their influence carried into Kwabs, Jarvis Cocker, Disclosure, Stormzy and Mura Masa, where the same ideas turn up rearranged for a later generation. Altogether the chart holds 32 connections around Nao, reaching back through Dyo and forward to Kwabs. Follow any of those threads to keep travelling the influence between bands and genres on Starverb.
Background
Neo Jessica Joshua, better known as Nao, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer from East London. Her sound has been described as soul combined with electronic music, funk and R&B, while Nao herself coined the term "wonky funk" to describe her style. She released her debut album, For All We Know, in 2016, her second album, Saturn, in 2018, and her third, And Then Life Was Beautiful, in 2021. Her most recent album, Jupiter, was released in 2025.
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Nao connections
Nao grew out of Dyo, Disclosure, Ezra Collective and A. K. Paul, shares an orbit with Mahalia, Joy Crookes, Joyce Wrice and VanJess, went on to shape Kwabs, Jarvis Cocker, Disclosure and Stormzy. 32 connections mapped across roots, kindred and legacy.
Who influenced Nao
Sounds and acts that shaped Nao.
Artists similar to Nao
Artists and scenes sharing an orbit with Nao.
- Mahaliaartist
- Joy Crookesartist
- Joyce Wriceartist
- VanJessartist
- serpentwithfeetartist
- Ravyn Lenaeartist
- Sasha Keableartist
- Lucky Dayeartist
- Sabrina Claudioartist
- Gallantartist
- Hope Talaartist
- Fana Huesartist
- Alex Isleyartist
- Chlöeartist
- Chloe x Halleartist
- Charlotte Day Wilsonartist
- Muni Longartist
- fripSideartist
- Ari Lennoxartist
Bands Nao shaped
Where the influence of Nao travelled next.
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