Gwynedd star has taken the Indian music world by storm and named best newcomer at the UK Bhangra Awards
Nest Aneirin Jones (22), who grew up in Criccieth and has enjoyed chart success on four continents, said it was “surreal” to be named “best newcomer” at the UK Bhangra Awards.
She moved to Delhi at the age of 17 and began singing at clubs and weddings while volunteering as a teacher in the city’s slums by day.
Nest, who performs under the name Nesdi Jones and sings in Welsh, English, Hindi and Punjabi, said she burst into tears when she won the award.
She said: “I just cried when they announced that I’d won. I was up against people who are on big record labels, and I’m unsigned and independent.
“They have PR behind them, and I just use Twitter and Facebook. I didn’t get my hopes up, so it was a shock.’ said Nesdi.
“Other nominees at the awards came up to me and said they’d like to collaborate. It was surreal to have people I look up to saying they liked my music and wanted to work with me.”
“Winning the award has raised my confidence and I’ve realised I’m good enough to do this,” she said.
“It means the world to me that people have voted for me. I’m going to up my game over the next year. I will try to test myself and aim for the best female award next year.”
