Nelly Furtado discussed how her ADHD has been a key factor in her creative process while working on her upcoming album “7”. She credits her ADHD as a superpower that allows her to work more efficiently and be more productive when it comes to making music. Furtado wanted to have a festive atmosphere throughout the making of the album, bringing in friends and collaborators at all hours of the night to work on music together. This approach led to the creation of the album’s lead single “Corazon” in collaboration with Bomba Estéreo in Colombia. Furtado worked on the record across multiple continents with as many people as possible to create a diverse and collaborative environment.
The singer revealed that she had made 400 to 500 songs over the past four years, from which she selected the 14 tracks that would make it onto the album. Furtado acknowledged that her ADHD can make it challenging to organize her creations, but the process of choosing the final selection of songs was somewhat intuitive. She likened it to picking out your favorite flowers at a flower shop, where certain songs naturally stood out to her. While Furtado’s diagnosis of inattentive ADHD came relatively late in life, she believes that her childhood involvement in playing instruments helped keep her symptoms in check. She found dance and choreography to be a natural outlet for managing her ADHD, and she now views her diagnosis as a blessing that has allowed her to find solutions rather than dwell on the emotional aspects.
Furtado emphasized the importance of having a supportive environment while working on her album, with many people coming in and out of the studio to provide feedback and collaborate on music. This inclusive approach allowed for a more organic process where the best ideas naturally rose to the top and fueled her passion for completing the project. Despite her struggles with focus and organization due to her ADHD, Furtado found ways to channel her creativity and stay on track through her love for music and the collaborative spirit she fostered in the studio. The album “7” reflects her diverse musical influences and experiences, showcasing a blend of styles and themes that have shaped her music over the years.
Furtado’s journey with ADHD has been an ongoing process of self-discovery and adaptation, with her diagnosis providing a new perspective on her struggles and strengths. She has embraced her ADHD as a unique aspect of her creative identity, recognizing how it has influenced her music and working style. By sharing her experience with ADHD and its impact on her music-making process, Furtado hopes to inspire others who may also be dealing with similar challenges. Through her openness and creativity, she continues to evolve as an artist and push the boundaries of her own abilities, showing that embracing one’s differences can lead to new opportunities for growth and self-expression.
