Naïka, one of our cover stars from THE LIST 2025, has never belonged to just one place. Born in Guadeloupe and raised across the South Pacific, Kenya, France, South Africa and the United States, with roots tracing back to Lebanon, Palestine and the Caribbean, the French-Haitian artist embodies movement. With ECLESIA, her long-awaited debut album, she transforms that movement into music.
The title comes from the ancient Greek word for “a gathering of people”, and that idea sits at the heart of the project. ECLESIA is not just an album; it is a space. A meeting point for languages, rhythms and lived experience. Sung in English, French and Haitian Creole, the record blends pop, R&B and soul with global influences, including traditional Haitian Konpa, shaping a sound that feels expansive yet intimate.
As Naïka describes it, “ECLESIA is my arrival, my introduction to the world.” The album is an eclectic and emotional reflection of the cultures, sounds and identities that have shaped her. For an artist who grew up between borders, it stands as a declaration of freedom and connection.
Across 13 tracks, Naïka explores love, belonging, self-acceptance and political injustice with the warmth of a living room conversation and the reach of a global perspective. Each single reveals a different layer of her artistry.
“Bloom,” created in collaboration with Jimmy Choo, marked a bold and fashion-forward chapter. “Blessings” delivered an affirmation rooted in gratitude and faith. On “Matador,” sung in French, she confronts overbearing societal structures through a lens of women’s empowerment. Meanwhile, the Haitian-inspired “One Track Mind” surpassed one million streams in its first week, reaching No. 1 on the French Viral Charts and landing in the Top 10 in Canada and Switzerland.
The album’s focus track, “All My Life,” captures pure joy. Born out of a high-energy studio session surrounded by friends, the track radiates euphoria. Its accompanying music video mirrors that spirit, leaning into playful desire and indulgence as Naïka embraces life’s sweeter moments.
Previous releases, including her EPs Lost in Paradïse and TRANSITIONS, laid the groundwork for this moment, while viral hit “Sauce” amassed over 165 million streams and featured in a global Apple iPhone campaign. Early favourites “1+1,” “6:45,” and “Layers” have surpassed 300 million streams combined, supporting sold-out headline tours and festival appearances from Montreal Jazz Festival to Paris.
Naïka’s ascent has been steady and global. Her upcoming international tour is almost entirely sold out, with venue upgrades and additional dates also reaching capacity, including shows in New York and Chicago.
With ECLESIA, Naïka fully steps into her own. The album is a celebration of layered identity, a testament to cultural fusion, and above all, a gathering place for anyone who has ever lived between worlds.
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