Hot Like Wow (2007 to 2008)
Oh's debut album Hot Like Wow was produced by Space Cowboy and released in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2008 by Tiger Trax Records, with songs featured on the American TV shows Ugly Betty, Gossip Girl and So You Think You Can Dance. On July 16, 2011, the title track "Hot Like Wow" was featured on So You Think You Can Dance for the second time. The album was preceded by three singles: "My Egyptian Lover", "Something 4 the Weekend" and "N.A.D.I.A. O.H." from 2007 to 2008. The album was however supported by the release of the single, "Got Your Number", that bought her international attention on the American TV series, Gossip Girl.
Colours (2009 to 2012)
Oh worked once again with Space Cowboy on her second studio album, Colours, released on May 8, 2011. Singles from the album, "Taking Over the Dancefloor", which received airplay on BBC Radio 1's The Scott Mills Show, and "No Bueno", showcase a moombahton style and were named Song of the Day by Popjustice on 21 March and June 27, 2011, respectively.
Hiatus and modelling (2013-present)
Since 2012, Oh has not released any new material despite suggesting otherwise. She has since pursued a career in modelling. It is unclear if Oh plans on returning to music. A demo of a song with singer and producer MNEK dated from 2012 allegedly called "Radio Religion" surfaced online in 2021 but it was never officially released.
Shade
Nadia Oh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shade, they're trying to break me
Shade, they'll never take me down, down, down
Shade, I'm never throwing
Shade, no I'm not tryna shade
I'm cool under the cabana
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Oh, oh-oh, shade
They're trying to throw shade, they're trying everything
Trying to throw me off, prove that I'm not a boss
I think I'm Rick Ross, sipping on that Rosé
All day, every day, sipping on that Rosé
Shade keeps me cool, so keep on throwing it
Shade keeps me cool, so keep on throwing it
Shade keeps me cool, so keep on throwing it
Shade keeps me cool, so keep on throwing it
Shade, they wanna hate me
Shade, they're trying to break me
Shade, they'll never take me down, down, down
Shade, I'm never throwing
Shade, no I'm not tryna shade
I'm cool under the cabana
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Oh, oh-oh, shade
They think I'm cray cray, they acting cray cray
They're trying to throw shade, in-my-face, Beyoncé
Going bananas under the cabanas
Puffing on havanas, chilling with my dancers
Shade keeps me cool, so keep on throwing it
Shade keeps me cool, so keep on throwing it
Shade keeps me cool, so keep on throwing it
Shade keeps me cool, so keep on throwing it
Shade, they wanna hate me
Shade, they're trying to break me
Shade, they'll never take me down, down, down
Shade, I'm never throwing
Shade, no I'm not tryna shade
I'm cool until the club burn up
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Shade, they wanna hate me
Shade, they're trying to break me
Shade, they'll never take me down, down, down
Shade, I'm never throwing
Shade, no I'm not tryna
Shade, I'm cool under the cabana
Shade, they wanna hate me
Shade, they're trying to break me
Shade, they'll never take me down, down, down
Shade, I'm never throwing
Shade, no I'm not tryna shade
I'm cool until the cabana
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Shade keeps me cool, so keep on throwing it
The lyrics of Nadia Oh's song Shade express the artist's resilience in the face of criticism and hatred from others. She openly acknowledges that people are trying to throw shade at her, or put her down, but she refuses to be broken. The repeated declaration that she is "cool" emphasizes her confidence and composure in the face of adversity. She also references popular figures like Rick Ross and Beyoncé to suggest that she is not only unbothered by the shade but also above it.
The line "Shade keeps me cool, so keep on throwing it" is particularly noteworthy as it suggests that instead of hurting her, the shade actually helps Nadia stay level-headed and focused. This reframing of negativity as a source of strength is a powerful message about resilience and self-worth.
Overall, Shade is a fun, upbeat song with a message of self-confidence and resilience. While Nadia Oh may not be a household name in the music industry, this song shows her potential as an artist and her willingness to embrace her uniqueness.
Line by Line Meaning
Shade, they wanna hate me
People want to hate on me and bring me down
Shade, they're trying to break me
People are actively trying to break me and make me feel inadequate
Shade, they'll never take me down, down, down
No matter how much shade people throw at me, I will not be defeated
Shade, I'm never throwing
I am not trying to throw shade back at anyone
Shade, no I'm not tryna shade
I am not trying to be petty or throw insults back at those who insult me
I'm cool under the cabana
I am staying calm and collected while enjoying the luxuries of life, such as being under a cabana
Oh, oh-oh, shade
Repeating the chorus and emphasizing the importance of shade in keeping her cool
They're trying to throw shade, they're trying everything
People are trying all sorts of tactics to bring her down, including throwing shade
Trying to throw me off, prove that I'm not a boss
People are trying to undermine her authority and prove that she is not in control
I think I'm Rick Ross, sipping on that Rosé
She is confident in her success and compares herself to Rick Ross, a successful rapper, while enjoying the pleasures of life, such as drinking Rosé
All day, every day, sipping on that Rosé
She indulges in the finer things in life, such as drinking Rosé, as a way to cope with the shade that people throw at her
They think I'm cray cray, they acting cray cray
People think she is crazy and are acting irrationally towards her
Going bananas under the cabanas
She is enjoying herself to the fullest while under the cabanas
Puffing on havanas, chilling with my dancers
She is smoking cigars and relaxing with her dance crew
I'm cool until the club burn up
She will stay calm and collected until things get too heated or go too far
Shade keeps me cool, so keep on throwing it
Repeating the importance of shade in keeping her cool and telling people to keep throwing it if they must
Contributed by Kaylee W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.