"Isii Nafta" is a song recorded by Somali singer Nimco Happy and released in mid-2017. Happy has performed the song at several concerts in Somalia and the song is popular in the country. In 2021, "Isii Nafta" became a popular on the video sharing platform TikTok, becoming one of the most popular songs in Shazam in many countries, the song also ranked at 23 on Billboard World Digital Song Sales.[1] On October 28, the song was officially released by Happy and her new record label Polydor as "Isii Nafta (Love You More Than My Life)".

"Isii Nafta"
Single by Nimco Happy
Language
English title"Give Me Your Soul"
Released2017
Length4:17
Composer(s)Abwaan Dhaga-jilic

Background and release

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Nimco Happy recorded and released "Isii Nafta" in mid 2017, becoming a hit in Somalia. Happy performed the song on television programs and local concerts in her country. Thanks to the song Happy become one of the most prominent female singers in Somalia.

Global recognition

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In 2021, "Isii Nafta" became a popular song on the video sharing platform TikTok,[2][3][4] becoming one of the few Somali songs to reach a global audience.[5] Happy signed with Polydor Records and on October 28 she released the song officially on music streaming service as "Isii Nafta" (Love You More Than My Life)".[6][7] "Isii Nafta" was mostly noted for the fact that the Happy sang in three languages, in particular, except for the main languages of Somalia, English, Arabic and Swahili.[8]

Charts

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Weekly chart performance for "Isii Nafta"
Chart (2021) Peak

position

US (World Digital Song Sales)[9] 23

In November, the song peaked 23 on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales, making Happy the first Somali singer to do so.

References

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  1. ^ "Billboard World Digital Song Sales". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  2. ^ "'I'm carrying Somalia's name on my shoulders'". BBC News. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  3. ^ "Love in many languages: Joy for Somali musician as song goes viral on TikTok | Kenya". Nation Africa. November 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  4. ^ Guleid, Mohamed. "Nimco Happy's big break shows why we should harness local talent". The Standard. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  5. ^ "British Somali TikTok star delights in Nimco Happy's viral success | Music | The Guardian". The Guardian. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  6. ^ "Viral Star Nimco Happy's "Isii Nafta" Has Been Given An Official Release". Complex. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  7. ^ Paul, Larisha (November 7, 2021). "Nimco Happy's 'Love You More Than My Life' Unexpectedly Takes Over TikTok". uDiscover Music. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  8. ^ "'And I love you more than my life': how Nimco Happy took Somali groove global". gal-dem. December 28, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  9. ^ ""Billboard World Digital Song Sales"". Twitter. Retrieved January 13, 2022.