If music is a weapon, as the legendary Fela Kuti documentary "Music Is The Weapon" suggests, then Nneka is definitely a masterpiece in the arsenal of music. What defines the 33-year-old singer? A powerful voice, a lot of heart, provocative lyrics, and above all, an unyielding will to spread positive energy - in every country, every place, yes, every corner of this vast world. Because: "If you approach me with hate, I will approach you with love. I must be strong enough to turn hate into love. And the more you hate me, the more I will love you, and the more I will make you love me."
Nneka knows what she sings about: Born and raised in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, she moves to Germany at the age of 19, where she enrolls at the University of Hamburg to study anthropology. But Nneka not only graduates; she also hones her musical career alongside her studies and improves her craft as a singer-songwriter. Walking in the footsteps of legends like Fela Kuti and Bob Marley, Nneka draws inspiration from her experiences in her politically charged lyrics from the very beginning. These are stories with a message that touch deeply within, thanks to her authentic and powerful voice – whether Nneka sings about everyday problems, heartbreak, disdain for gossip, maternal love, or the pursuit of justice.
To date, three albums have been released: "Victim of Truth" (2005), "No Longer At Ease" (2008), and "Soul is Heavy" (2011). The single "Heartbeat" from the second album "No Longer At Ease" reached the Top 20 in the UK in 2009 and was subsequently sampled by Rita Ora for her UK number-one hit "R.I.P." Additionally, during this time, Nneka extensively tours the world, sharing the stage with artists like The Roots, Gnarls Barkley, and Nas and Damian Marley on their "Distant Relatives" tour.
In 2009, after numerous nominations, Nneka wins the MOBO Award for "Best African Act," records the charity song "Viva Africa" during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and appears on David Letterman's US late-night show the same year. At BET's "106 & PARK – Music Matters," she thrilled audiences in 2012 with an acoustic set, delivered a stunning performance at New York's legendary Apollo Theater a year later, and served as a judge on the fourth season of "Nigerian Idol" in 2014.
Nneka's unyielding will and her conviction for good also manifest outside of music: In 2012, she co-founds the charity organization "Rope Foundation" with former child soldier MC Ahmen Nyei (aka Genda) from Sierra Leone. This organization provides children the opportunity to express themselves through their art. Her latest workshop focused on working with sexually abused women at the WAGA Foundation in the Bo District of Sierra Leone. In addition to her work with the "Rope Foundation," Nneka is also an art ambassador for the African Women Development Funds in Ghana – and amidst all this commitment, she still finds time for music.
With "My Fairy Tales," Nneka's first independent album is now released. It is a concept album that addresses the lives of Africans in the diaspora and their issues, dedicating itself to both the positive aspects of falling in love and the responsibility towards children, as well as the significance of culture, education, and identity-forming values: "My travels and my long time in France influenced me to write an album that not only explains the suffering of Africans but also tells stories of endurance, perseverance, and gratitude." All qualities shared by people all over the world.
The music on "My Fairy Tales" is primarily based on Afrobeat and roots music and was recorded and produced in France, Denmark, and Nigeria. Five songs were produced by Mounir Maarouf from France, two by the Silver Bullit team from Denmark, and one by The Slag aka Macus Nigsch and Nneka herself. Nneka's European tour begins in March 2015.
NNEKA LIVE :
23.03.15 Wiesbaden / Schlachthof
24.03.15 Erlangen / E-Werk
25.03.15 Düsseldorf / Zakk
26.03.15 Berlin / Kesselhaus
28.03.15 Zurich (CH) / Schiffbau and Moods/ M4Music Festival
30.03.15 Dornbirn (A) / Conrad Sohm
31.03.15 Munich / Muffathalle
01.04.15 Lausanne (CH) / Les Docks
02.04.15 Heidelberg / Karlstorbahnhof
04.02.15 Paris (FR) / Bataclan
07.04.15 London (GB) / Village Underground
08.04.15 Amsterdam (NL) / Melkweg
09.04.15 Cologne / Stollwerk
10.04.15 Hamburg / Fabrik
12.04.15 Leuven (B) / Het Depot
14.04.15 Leipzig / Werk 2
15.04.15 Bratislava (SK) / Atelier
16.04.15 Budapest (H) / Akvarium
18.04.15 Vilnius (LT) / teatro Arena
19.04.15 Gdansk (PL) / B90
20.04.15 Warsaw (PL) / Proxima
22.04.15 St. Petersburg (RUS) / Kosmonavt
23.04.15 Moscow (RUS) / Artist Club
26.04.15 Bourges (FR) / Le W / Le Printemps de Bourges
Video:
NNEKA "My Love, My Love":
http://youtu.be/apveonr8U3Y
NNEKA "Book of Job":
http://youtu.be/o13RCkeoaQA
Web:
www.facebook.com/NnekaWorld
Nneka knows what she sings about: Born and raised in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, she moves to Germany at the age of 19, where she enrolls at the University of Hamburg to study anthropology. But Nneka not only graduates; she also hones her musical career alongside her studies and improves her craft as a singer-songwriter. Walking in the footsteps of legends like Fela Kuti and Bob Marley, Nneka draws inspiration from her experiences in her politically charged lyrics from the very beginning. These are stories with a message that touch deeply within, thanks to her authentic and powerful voice – whether Nneka sings about everyday problems, heartbreak, disdain for gossip, maternal love, or the pursuit of justice.
To date, three albums have been released: "Victim of Truth" (2005), "No Longer At Ease" (2008), and "Soul is Heavy" (2011). The single "Heartbeat" from the second album "No Longer At Ease" reached the Top 20 in the UK in 2009 and was subsequently sampled by Rita Ora for her UK number-one hit "R.I.P." Additionally, during this time, Nneka extensively tours the world, sharing the stage with artists like The Roots, Gnarls Barkley, and Nas and Damian Marley on their "Distant Relatives" tour.
In 2009, after numerous nominations, Nneka wins the MOBO Award for "Best African Act," records the charity song "Viva Africa" during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and appears on David Letterman's US late-night show the same year. At BET's "106 & PARK – Music Matters," she thrilled audiences in 2012 with an acoustic set, delivered a stunning performance at New York's legendary Apollo Theater a year later, and served as a judge on the fourth season of "Nigerian Idol" in 2014.
Nneka's unyielding will and her conviction for good also manifest outside of music: In 2012, she co-founds the charity organization "Rope Foundation" with former child soldier MC Ahmen Nyei (aka Genda) from Sierra Leone. This organization provides children the opportunity to express themselves through their art. Her latest workshop focused on working with sexually abused women at the WAGA Foundation in the Bo District of Sierra Leone. In addition to her work with the "Rope Foundation," Nneka is also an art ambassador for the African Women Development Funds in Ghana – and amidst all this commitment, she still finds time for music.
With "My Fairy Tales," Nneka's first independent album is now released. It is a concept album that addresses the lives of Africans in the diaspora and their issues, dedicating itself to both the positive aspects of falling in love and the responsibility towards children, as well as the significance of culture, education, and identity-forming values: "My travels and my long time in France influenced me to write an album that not only explains the suffering of Africans but also tells stories of endurance, perseverance, and gratitude." All qualities shared by people all over the world.
The music on "My Fairy Tales" is primarily based on Afrobeat and roots music and was recorded and produced in France, Denmark, and Nigeria. Five songs were produced by Mounir Maarouf from France, two by the Silver Bullit team from Denmark, and one by The Slag aka Macus Nigsch and Nneka herself. Nneka's European tour begins in March 2015.
NNEKA LIVE :
23.03.15 Wiesbaden / Schlachthof
24.03.15 Erlangen / E-Werk
25.03.15 Düsseldorf / Zakk
26.03.15 Berlin / Kesselhaus
28.03.15 Zurich (CH) / Schiffbau and Moods/ M4Music Festival
30.03.15 Dornbirn (A) / Conrad Sohm
31.03.15 Munich / Muffathalle
01.04.15 Lausanne (CH) / Les Docks
02.04.15 Heidelberg / Karlstorbahnhof
04.02.15 Paris (FR) / Bataclan
07.04.15 London (GB) / Village Underground
08.04.15 Amsterdam (NL) / Melkweg
09.04.15 Cologne / Stollwerk
10.04.15 Hamburg / Fabrik
12.04.15 Leuven (B) / Het Depot
14.04.15 Leipzig / Werk 2
15.04.15 Bratislava (SK) / Atelier
16.04.15 Budapest (H) / Akvarium
18.04.15 Vilnius (LT) / teatro Arena
19.04.15 Gdansk (PL) / B90
20.04.15 Warsaw (PL) / Proxima
22.04.15 St. Petersburg (RUS) / Kosmonavt
23.04.15 Moscow (RUS) / Artist Club
26.04.15 Bourges (FR) / Le W / Le Printemps de Bourges
Video:
NNEKA "My Love, My Love":
http://youtu.be/apveonr8U3Y
NNEKA "Book of Job":
http://youtu.be/o13RCkeoaQA
Web:
www.facebook.com/NnekaWorld
