Nyla
Nailah Thorbourne (born November 27, 1983), known professionally as Nyla, is a Jamaican singer and songwriter from Kingston.[1] She rose to prominence as a member of the R&B and reggae duo Brick & Lace, alongside her sister Nyanda Thorbourne, achieving international success with their debut single "Love Is Wicked" in 2007.[2][3] Formed in 2004 after Nyla and her sisters performed in Jamaica's Music Theatre Company, Brick & Lace relocated to Miami and signed with Akon's Konvict Music label, releasing their debut album Love Is Wicked in 2007.[2] The album featured hits like "Never Never" and "Take Me Back," and the group toured globally, including as openers for Gwen Stefani's The Sweet Escape Tour.[2] After a hiatus in 2011, the sisters formed the songwriting collective Bloodline, contributing tracks to artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, and Nicole Scherzinger.[2] Nyla launched her solo career blending pop, R&B, and dancehall influences, with notable singles including "Stand Up" (2012), "Body Calling" (2013), and "Selecta" (2015).[2] Her collaboration with Major Lazer on "Light It Up," featuring Fuse ODG in the 2016 remix, marked a significant crossover hit, peaking on international charts and earning multi-platinum certification.[2] In 2023, Brick & Lace announced a return to the dancehall scene; in 2024, they released the single "Proof" and performed at events including honoring Marcia Griffiths.[4][5][6]Early life and education
Childhood and family
Nailah Thorbourne, known professionally as Nyla, was born on November 27, 1983, in Kingston, Jamaica, to Paul Thorbourne, a Jamaican father and gospel musician who also played guitar and piano, and Corine Thorbourne, an African American mother from New York who is a singer.[7][8][9] The family resided in Kingston during her early years, where the cultural vibrancy of Jamaica shaped her formative experiences.[9] Nyla grew up alongside her three sisters: Nyanda Thorbourne, her elder sibling and later musical partner in the duo Brick & Lace; Tasha Thorbourne, who briefly joined the group before transitioning to behind-the-scenes work; and Candace Thorbourne.[9] The Thorbourne sisters shared a close-knit family dynamic, with the household serving as a nurturing environment for creative expression.[9] The family's musical atmosphere profoundly influenced Nyla's early interest in music, as her parents exposed her and her sisters to a diverse array of genres including gospel from her father's repertoire, R&B, dancehall, and reggae icons like Bob Marley, alongside American influences such as Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion from her mother.[7][9] This blend fostered her innate affinity for rhythmic and fusion sounds, with the family encouraging artistic pursuits while emphasizing the balance with formal education.[9]Schooling and higher education
Nyla attended Campion College, a prestigious secondary school in Kingston, Jamaica, where she honed her early interests in performing arts through participation in school activities and the formation of the musical group Brick & Lace with her sister Nyanda.[10] In her late teens, following family relocation from Jamaica, Nyla moved to Miami, Florida, and enrolled at Miami Dade College to pursue a degree in marketing, marking the beginning of her formal higher education in the United States.[10][11] She subsequently transferred to the University of Miami, where she studied advertising and theatre, fields that complemented her creative inclinations and provided a foundation for her multifaceted career.[11] Throughout her college years, Nyla balanced her academic commitments with burgeoning music aspirations, continuing to develop Brick & Lace alongside her studies prior to the duo's commercial success.[8]Career
2006–2012: Brick & Lace and Bloodline
In 2004, sisters Nyanda and Nyla Thorbourne formed the musical duo Brick & Lace in Kingston, Jamaica, initially as a trio with their sister Tasha before transitioning to a duo focused on blending dancehall, reggae, and R&B elements.[12] The group gained early traction through local performances, leading to their signing in 2006 with Akon's Konvict Muzik imprint, distributed via Geffen Records under the Interscope umbrella, which provided broader international exposure.[13] Brick & Lace released their debut album, Love Is Wicked, on December 4, 2007, through Geffen Records, showcasing their signature fusion of rhythmic dancehall beats with smooth R&B vocals.[14] The title track served as the lead single, produced over the Diwali Riddim and achieving significant chart longevity, including 97 weeks across multiple international charts and peaking at number 4 on the French Singles Chart.[15] Follow-up singles like "Never Never" and "Get That Clear" further highlighted their pop-reggae style, contributing to the album's reception in markets such as Europe and Africa. The duo's achievements during this period included extensive touring and high-profile performances that solidified their international recognition in the dancehall-R&B genre. They performed at major events across continents, including their debut shows in Uganda in early 2008, where they headlined New Year's concerts drawing large crowds and marking their growing appeal beyond Jamaica.[16] Additional tours took them to Europe and North America, often alongside Akon and other Konvict artists, fostering a dedicated fanbase through energetic live sets that emphasized their harmonious sisterly dynamic and genre-blending sound. In 2010, Nyla and Nyanda, along with their sister Candace Thorbourne, established the songwriting collective Bloodline to expand their creative output beyond performing.[17] The team garnered notable credits, including co-writing the 2012 single "Follow the Leader" for Wisin & Yandel featuring Jennifer Lopez, which reached gold certification and topped charts in several Latin markets.[17] This period also saw Brick & Lace experimenting with bilingual tracks for French audiences, such as collaborations with Rim'K and Vincenzo, reflecting their adaptability in diverse musical landscapes. By 2012, Brick & Lace entered a hiatus amid challenges with label support and evolving creative directions, effectively pausing group activities after a series of independent releases and performances.[18]2013–present: Solo career
After the hiatus of Brick & Lace, Nyla transitioned to a solo career, releasing her debut single "Stand Up" in April 2013 under Ky-Mani Marley's Konfrontation Muzik Group label.[19] The track, a blend of R&B and reggae, featured sensual lyrics and marked her first independent venture outside group dynamics.[19] A music video followed in August 2013, directed to showcase her solo presence.[20] In 2014, Nyla continued with independent releases, including the single "Body Calling," which explored pop-reggae fusion and included an official music video directed by Rona Cohen. These early efforts established her as a versatile artist drawing from her songwriting roots in prior collaborations. She followed with "Selecta" in 2015, further blending dancehall and pop elements. Nyla's breakthrough came in 2015 with her feature on Major Lazer's "Light It Up" from the album Peace Is the Mission, with the 2016 remix alongside Fuse ODG achieving international success.[21] The track peaked at No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart and reached No. 7 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.[21] It achieved significant certifications, including 2× Platinum by the RIAA in the US and 3× Platinum by the BPI in the UK for 1.8 million units, certified in March 2024—marking the first such honor for a Jamaican woman.[22] By 2023, the remix had surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify.[23] Nyla maintained momentum with solo releases and returned in 2023 with "Death of Us," a dance-pop single produced by KONO.[24] In 2023, Brick & Lace announced their return to the dancehall scene, leading to joint performances including at the Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture in Calgary in 2024, where the duo highlighted their vocal range despite challenges.[4][25] Her ongoing activity includes active social media engagement on platforms like Instagram, where she shares updates on music and milestones, alongside streaming successes for her catalog.[25]Discography
Singles as lead artist
Nyla's solo career as a lead artist began after the hiatus of Brick & Lace in 2012, marking her transition to independent releases blending R&B, reggae, and pop influences. Her singles have primarily been issued through small labels or self-released, achieving modest airplay in Jamaican and international dancehall circuits without major chart breakthroughs.[19] "Stand Up," released on May 31, 2013, via Konfrontation Muzik Group, served as her debut solo single. Produced by C&C Productions, the up-tempo track features sensual lyrics with double entendres, encouraging empowerment and intimacy, and received positive mentions for its reggae-R&B fusion in niche music outlets. It garnered limited streaming traction but highlighted Nyla's vocal range post-duo era. No official chart positions were recorded, though it saw airplay on Jamaican radio stations.[26][19] In 2013, Nyla followed with "Body Calling," an independent release via Fox Fuse emphasizing dancehall rhythms and romantic themes. The single, accompanied by an official music video released in 2014, was praised for its energetic production and Nyla's commanding lead vocals, aligning with her post-Brick & Lace exploration of solo sensuality. It experienced similar limited exposure, primarily through online platforms and regional playlists, without notable commercial metrics.[27][28] "Selecta," released in 2015 as an independent single, further showcased her dancehall roots with upbeat rhythms and confident vocals. It received mentions in music bios but had limited commercial charting.[2] "Faith," issued on April 1, 2019, represented a shift toward pop-EDM elements, co-written with producer Phillip “TxTHEWAY” Edwards. Released via 1227707 Records DK, the upbeat track implores listeners to take emotional risks, earning acclaim as an infectious dance single in electronic music reviews for its catchy hooks and Nyla's versatile delivery. It achieved moderate streaming success on platforms like Spotify but did not enter major charts. "We Can Believe In," also in 2019 with Paul Secondi & Monarques, blended pop and electronic sounds.[29][30] In 2020, Nyla released "Mad Out" with Mr. Vegas and Topo La Maskara, incorporating dancehall elements, and "Hard & Done" with Jugglerz, focusing on relational themes. Both saw regional play but no major charts.[31] Nyla's most recent lead single, "Death of Us," dropped on June 16, 2023, in collaboration with producer KONO under Sparkle Music By Starmony. This dance-pop number, described as a summer anthem with vibrant production, explores themes of passionate relationships on the brink. Critics noted its high-energy vibe and Nyla's prominent lead role, contributing to renewed interest in her independent output amid a two-year hiatus. The track saw increased streaming post-release, particularly in dance playlists, though specific chart data remains unavailable. No new solo lead singles were released as of November 2025.[24][32][31]| Title | Release Date | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stand Up | May 31, 2013 | Konfrontation Muzik Group | Debut solo; reggae-R&B; limited airplay |
| Body Calling | November 12, 2013 | Fox Fuse | Dancehall-infused; official video in 2014 |
| Selecta | 2015 | Independent | Dancehall single; limited exposure |
| Faith | April 1, 2019 | 1227707 Records DK | Pop-EDM; co-written with TxTHEWAY |
| We Can Believe In (with Paul Secondi & Monarques) | 2019 | Independent | Pop-electronic collaboration |
| Mad Out (with Mr. Vegas and Topo La Maskara) | 2020 | Independent | Dancehall collaboration |
| Hard & Done (with Jugglerz) | 2020 | Independent | Relational themes; regional play |
| Death of Us (with KONO) | June 16, 2023 | Sparkle Music By Starmony | Dance-pop summer single |