Nandi Bushell, the prodigious young drummer, has once again captivated the music world with her latest performance. The 14-year-old musician’s newest video has been generating significant buzz among fans and industry professionals alike.
In her latest video, Bushell covers one of Led Zeppelin’s most iconic tracks, “Good Times Bad Times.” What sets this performance apart, however, is her choice to play wearing high heels. The video serves as a promotion for her new single, “The Only One,” which can be heard below.
Particularly noteworthy is her flawless execution of the “Bonham triplets,” a signature technique pioneered by Led Zeppelin’s legendary drummer, John Bonham. Performing such a demanding technique is a feat on its own but doing so while wearing high heels adds an extra layer of challenge to the part.
Bushell’s interpretation remains faithful to the original while also injecting her own youthful energy into the piece. Her passion for drumming has even earned high praise from Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, who told Rolling Stone in 2021:
“If you want to see the true meaning of rock & roll, watch Nandi play the drums. That is as inspiring as any Beatles record, any Zeppelin record, any AC/DC record, any Stones record. To watch her play the drums and see her passion and belief in this music … if that doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will. So, the fact that we got to share a moment with her onstage makes all of this worthwhile. And the funniest thing is, after jamming with Nandi, ‘Everlong’ went back on the charts.”
Her ability to pay homage to rock’s greats while infusing her unique style speaks to her growing maturity as a musician.
Born on April 28, 2010, in Durban, South Africa, Bushell has built an impressive reputation as a British musician, singer, songwriter, and social media personality. She first gained widespread recognition for her high-energy drum covers of popular rock songs, which she shared on YouTube and Instagram.
Her viral online drum battle with Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl in 2020 cemented her status as a rising star, earning her praise from high-profile musicians such as Lenny Kravitz, Anderson .Paak, and Questlove. She was also the youngest artist ever featured on the cover of Modern Drummer magazine and holds the distinction of being Cartoon Network’s first-ever musician-in-residence.
In 2021, Cartoon Network announced Bushell as their official ‘Musician in Residence,’ recognizing her talent and influence on young musicians. To mark the occasion, she appeared in a promotional video where she introduced herself and jammed with the Teen Titans Go! characters.
As Bushell keeps pushing her musical boundaries, her performances continue to impress. Whether she’s covering rock classics or writing her own songs, she proves time and again that she’s more than an internet sensation—she’s a rising artist with a bright future.
