Nina (album) - Background and Conception

Background and Conception

"Her album is not yet out because it’s not yet done. It’s not yet done kasi di pa siya sinasabihan ng Warner Music to accomplish some things needed to complete her album. Nina abides— has always abided— by the schedule her label gives her. She is just waiting for their advice. She is not causing the delay."

—Volante, on the reasons that caused delay of the album's release.

In 2000, six years before the production of the album, Nina sent a demo to Warner Music's record label, and was immediately signed up without personal contact and interaction with Ricky Ilacad, the label's managing director at that time. With her powerful rendition of "Foolish Heart", the label knew that it got itself a major pop superstar. After only four years since she released her first single "Heaven" in 2002, it was then followed by three certified multi-platinum albums—with two of them reaching number one, and countless sold-out concerts. After all the success, she felt that she has made it in the music industry by showcasing her own style of music, and wanted to pour out everything to the album. The album was supposed to be released in early summer of 2006, but it was shelved due to conflict with her scheduled shows in the United States. In May 2006, Nyoy Volante, her boyfriend at that time, was reported to have participated in the production of the album, writing a song dubbed as "I Need Your Love". The two were even said to have been wanting to record a duet together.

"The reason why I decided to simply name this album after myself is because, after all the hard work, I feel I've finally made it in the industry by just being what I truly am. I just want my fans to enjoy the best of what I can possibly give."

—Nina, on why she decided to name the album after herself.

No other female OPM artist could match her all-around mastery of pop, R&B. jazz and soul. While others limit themselves to just R&B, ballads, acoustic tributes or the occasional remake, Nina has done a lot more, and she wanted to show it in the album. Her 2005 box-office certified Diamond album Nina Live! is composed of revivals that were recorded live. As a follow-up, she wanted to release a completely different record, an all-original studio album. In an interview, she stated "After Nina Live! last year, people were expecting another all-remakes album. We didn’t go that way because we didn’t feel it’s right to give them two in a row. Besides, I don’t want to be typecast as a covers artist." She left her diva side on her third album and worked on a new "toned-down" sound, focusing on the interpretation of the songs rather than the vocal acrobatics. She wanted her self-titled fourth album to be perfect and to capture the singer that she really is.