South African contemporary R&B star Nanette and acclaimed Nigerian songwriter and hitmaker Mbryo unite on “Taking Me Places,” the standout lead single from Nanette’s newly released Painfully Happy (Deluxe).
Bringing together two of the continent’s most exciting creative voices, the record is a bold statement of African collaboration, pairing Nanette’s emotionally rich songwriting with the hitmaking pedigree that has made Mbryo one of the most respected names in modern Afrobeats.
“Taking Me Places” represents the meeting of two artists whose influence continues to grow far beyond their respective markets, delivering a record that captures the ambition, confidence and global outlook defining the next generation of African music.
Written during a songwriting camp at Mavin Studios in Lagos, “Taking Me Places” brings together Nanette, Mbryo and acclaimed South African producers MashBeatz and Christer in a collaboration that captures the growing ambition and global outlook of African music’s next generation.
Blending contemporary R&B with influences from both South Africa and Nigeria, the record celebrates possibility, momentum and the creative power that emerges when some of the continent’s most exciting talents come together. The result is a record that feels both culturally significant and commercially potent, positioning “Taking Me Places” as one of the standout cross-border collaborations of the year.
The chemistry behind the collaboration was evident almost immediately. Less than twenty-four hours after completing the record, Nanette and Mbryo performed “Taking Me Places” before a packed audience at Obi’s House in Lagos, where the crowd’s response was instant and electric. A teaser from the performance generated more than 100,000 TikTok views, offering an early indication of the excitement surrounding a record that had already begun resonating with audiences before its official release.
“Taking Me Places” is a song that I wrote when I was in Nigeria. Going to Nigeria was my second experience travelling beyond home, so the song ended up being inspired by the travelling and by how music has managed to take me to places I never thought I could be.
When it comes to the collaboration with Mbryo, hearing his work made it such an easy decision to want to create with him. I eventually got the opportunity to get into a session with him and Christer, and that’s where we made “Taking Me Places”. I think Mbryo is such an excellent writer, and his catalogue speaks for itself. I had no doubt that he was the perfect person to help make a banger like this. He’s honestly a hook god,” says Nanette.
“Working with Nanette was such a beautiful experience. It felt seamless. Like two inseparable friends creating art without boarders or restraint. The moment we wrapped that session, we knew we had something special. I’m beyond excited and can’t wait to share this record with the world. Let’s go!” says Mbryo.
Known for his contribution to some of Afrobeats’ biggest records, Mbryo brings considerable star power to the collaboration. With more than 1.2 billion Spotify streams across his credited works, he has helped shape some of contemporary African music’s most successful releases through contributions to records by Ayra Starr, Crayon and the Mavin All Stars. His ability to fuse emotional storytelling with undeniable commercial appeal has established him as one of Nigeria’s most respected songwriters and creative architects.
For Nanette, whose career has included collaborations with Kelvin Momo, Blxckie, Nasty C and Tellaman, alongside recognition through Apple Music’s ALPHA programme and Spotify’s Ones to Watch, “Taking Me Places” marks another major milestone in her emergence as one of the continent’s most compelling contemporary R&B artists. Through a catalogue defined by vulnerability, artistic growth and fearless collaboration, she continues to expand both her creative reach and her influence across African music.
As “Taking Me Places” reaches audiences across Africa and beyond, the collaboration stands as a powerful reminder that the future of African music will be defined not by geography, but by artists bold enough to build across it.
