Zuriel Nena on creating her own sound and skincare brand

Meet the founder of the plant-based skincare brand Mayañga.

Welcome to our latest series, Emerge. We are spotlighting creative peeps who are from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Creating in every language you can possibly imagine, we want to highlight these international tastemakers. We are talking to them about their career journeys, beauty secrets and wellness tips.

Zuriel Nena is doing everything: creating music, performing and even busy working on her own skincare brand. Rarely do we have people who fit into so many categories on our website - we approached Zuriel to talk more about her EP, Head Wraps and Braids, but we were delighted to learn more about her skincare brand.

Performing since a young age, Zuriel is focused on developing her own voice and not conforming to stereotypes in the Nigerian music industry. And its not just music, she is also the founder of her own vegan and herbal skincare brand, Mayañga Conscious Skincare. From their popular Green Tea Face Wash to their Brightening Face Masq to their Whipped Body Souffle, her product line is dedicated to creating radiant skin with plant-based ingredients.

Hi Zuriel! How are you doing today?

Hiiiii Deepa! I’m doing amazing! Thank you for asking and thank you for doing this interview with me and exploring my mind.

You started your journey at a very young age. How has it been so far?

Yes, I actually started singing at a young age of 4 or 5. It’s been a tremendous, exciting and challenging journey. I have experienced some highs and lows with it. At some point, I was led to believe that it wasn’t a career I could partake in because of so many negative talkbacks that were whispered to me or I thought surrounded being a music artist. I think at a young age, people were confused why I’d want to choose a career as an artist, rather than other professions they were accustomed to.

However, I had to remind, and reassure myself that music is life, music is love, music IS art. Music is my place of solitude and I wouldn’t feel fulfilled if I didn’t explore the magic that comes from within it. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m glad I stuck to my guns. It’s been a slow process. However, I’m trusting it in and pushing through.

What was the inspiration behind your album ‘Head wraps and Braids’?

Head Wraps and Braids is a collection of love songs, upbeat tempo music that makes you want to dance hard and party and also a heartbreak song. Everyone loves a heartbreak song.

Each song was inspired by true events, not entirely mine, haha! But, people whose story felt a little bit like mine, and what I could relate to. I’m happy for the producers I was able to work with on this project. They understood my vision, they didn’t question anything, they offered little advice on how to make some parts sound better, they executed perfectly and brought those songs to life. I’m thankful for that.

If you could choose one song from the album everyone must listen to, what would it be and why?

That’s hard. That’s pretty hard, because every song on there is endearing to me. Every song on HWB is a masterpiece in its own entirety.

However, if I had to choose? Hmmm..

It would be… You know what? I can’t choose. LOL!

Tell us more about your performance at Felabration back in 2018:

You wanna know what’s weird? I think I actually spoke that performance into existence. I kept talking about how I wanted to perform at Felabration 2018, because at the time, I had recorded PALAVA, which is one of the songs off of Head Wraps and Braids, where I sampled Fela Anikulapo Kuti (who, by the way is the father of the AfroBeat genre).

Listen to “Turn Me On” by Zuriel Nena

So, I just thought it would be befitting to perform it in honor of Fela, even though it wasn’t released yet.

I had spoken to a friend, whose name is Ikenna, saying “I would really like to perform at this concert one day, I don’t know when, but, definitely one day.” Then he calls me about 2-3 weeks after to say “Hey, so uumm, I’ve gotten you a slot to perform at Felabration. You just have to pick the day you’re comfortable with performing.”

I was in total shock and utmost gratitude for that. That was my very first performance as a recording artist. I had my close friends and some family members there with me. It was truly an exhilarating experience.

“I think another challenging aspect, which I don’t even let bother me anymore, would be the fact that people expect you to sound a certain way. Because, there’s a general consensus, a crowd’s mentality that if you have to be an artist in Nigeria, you have to do exactly what every Tom, Dick and Terry G does. Terry is an amazing artist by the way. I think my sound is unique as everyone’s sound should be so I don’t conform to that stereotype.”

— Zuriel Nena

What has been the most challenging part about being an independent artist in Nigeria?

I would say one of the most challenging parts of being an independent artist would be funding.

I’m faced with having to pay for everything on my own. Especially with limited resources. Unlike other artists who are signed to major labels, who can afford to throw money on projects, I have a smaller budget to work with, and that can restrict my ability to make certain ideas come together.

I think another challenging aspect, which I don’t even let bother me anymore, would be the fact that people expect you to sound a certain way. Because, there’s a general consensus, a crowd’s mentality that if you have to be an artist in Nigeria, you have to do exactly what every Tom, Dick and Terry G does. Terry is an amazing artist by the way.

I think my sound is unique as everyone’s sound should be so I don’t conform to that stereotype.

Tell us about your process as a creative artist. How do you find inspiration to compose/write songs?

I believe that inspiration can come from anything, even the most mundane of things.

It can come from just being in nature and a bird chirping around and I find melody in that. It could be from listening to an instrumental that strikes a chord in my heart, and I’m motivated to write something bad ass.

Sometimes, it’s not as easy as it sounds. A lot of artists deal with writer's bloc. So, whenever I find myself in that space, I take some time off to reflect, bask in the atmosphere of my solitude, listen to some jazz or country music and then return to writing.

I remember the first song I wrote, I think I was about 7 years old at the time. It was about my parents not wanting some friends over at our house. LoL! I vividly remember that song. Embarrassing? Yes. But I’m proud of myself for harnessing my skills at that age.

Are there any artists you admire and would love to work with?

The age for Afrobeats/African music is now, and a lot of Africans are thriving in their own respective genres and it’s a beautiful thing to see unfold. I love the versatility of our music and how we imbibe culture into it. So, yes… I am looking forward to collaborating with a couple of African artists who I really do admire, Like Tems, Davido, Burna Boy.

For international artists; I love Victoria Monet, SZA, Chris Brown, Drake.

I’ve been an ardent fan of reggae, so I’m hoping to work with Buju Banton, The Marleys, Chronixx, Shenseea, Sean Paul.

What led you to build your own skincare brand, “Mayañga”?

Growing up, my grandma had a big garden in her country home of Cross River. I used to call it “The Garden of Esme”. She had fruit trees, plants, herbs and whatnot. She made me read books to expand my horizons about botany. So, I felt it was only natural to apply whatever little knowledge I had in skincare. I didn’t think it was something I was going to turn into a business. It was a hobby.

So, Mayañga started out as a way to introduce vegan skincare to people, letting them know that there’s always a safe and natural way to achieve your skincare goals, rather than opt for chemical infused products that end up damaging your skin in the long run.

What are your skincare and haircare must-haves?

For skincare, I love a good face wash, facial scrub, moisturizer, and body oils. You can never go wrong with any of that. I like to keep it simple and easy.

And for hair care, that’s simple as well. A good Ayurvedic hair mist, leave-in-conditioner and Ayurvedic hair oil. Nothing too complicated.

What are your makeup must-haves?

For meeee, A red lipstick can never, ever, EVER go wrong! As long as I have that, and a mascara? Then throw a little highlighter in there, Baby, I’m good!

Tell us about your future plans:

I plan on putting out more musical projects as soon as I can. I’m working on some videos for Head Wraps And Braids.

I’m working with a friend/producer, Soto Eon, on the new project. He was also featured on one of my songs off HWB.

And, I hope to start mini tours soon. I love performing. I’m looking at collaborations as well, and I cannot wait to see how this journey unfolds for me.

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