Nneka 05.21.2008
Some people just know how to bring the vibes, to put you at ease and make you feel all right. A good song or a talented musician could do the same, but of the many talented musicians, there are few whose music you can also feel coming straight from the heart.
Nneka falls into the latter category, expounding on the pain, joy and suffering of the people and things she has seen during her life, growing up in Warri Oil City in the Nigerian Delta and her solo journey at 19 to Germany, where she still resides.
Nneka’s blend of ragga, soul, hip hop and acoustic rhythms have brought about comparisons to Lauryn Hill, which is understandable as both women approach their music with an ethereal kind of passion, seriousness and devotion. But Nneka is no imitation of Ms. Hill — she stands on her own with the music that extends from her spirit.
Currently on tour in Europe promoting her second album, “No Longer at Ease“, Nneka’s single “Heartbeat” is heating up the charts with its staccato rhythms and pleading refrain. Nneka also expresses herself on “No Longer at Ease” in pidgin-english, bearing her soul and pain with social commentary depicting the plight of her people. And like her first album, “Victim of Truth”, it’s not devoid of drama.
Staving off the flu, she spoke with me about her inspirations and one day coming to New York with her guitar to spread the love. Good vibes indeed.
For more on Nneka, click here and buy her album here.
Trace: How do you think your journeys have affected your music?
Nneka: The journey here was a big step because I never planned to go to Germany — it happened suddenly and I had to deal with it by myself and I became a fighter. I was born in Nigeria and there the crime, the corruption, and everything — I saw it and I have to talk about it. Every day of my life inspires me and it 100% influences what I write.
T: Has language helped or hindered what you want to say or express in your music?
N: I have my way of expressing myself and I don’t think it changed that much through my experiences. Although I moved, I didn’t have to change the words I used but what I speak about has changed. I am a very protective person but I learned to be very straightforward with my music. I have more courage to speak my mind.
T: Your album titles, “Victim of Truth” and “No Longer at Ease” seems to hint at a loss of innocence and many of your songs, at a sadness. What do the album titles mean to you? What influenced them?
N: I dedicated my album to my family in Nigeria and their struggles influenced the album titles. Shell [the gas company] has exploited the Nigerian Delta for the past 60-70 years. The area is now an environmental concern; they have a lot of pollution and sicknesses such as asthma. People are dying and losing their lives.