Nneka | |
---|---|
![]() Nneka at Cargo, London in 2009 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Nneka Lucia Egbuna |
Born | 24 December 1980 |
Origin | Warri, Nigeria |
Genres | R&B, hip hop, soul, afrobeat, reggae |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, actress |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitars, drums, piano |
Years active | 2003–present |
Labels | Yo Mama's Recording, Sony Music, Epic Records, Decon Records |
Website | www |
Nneka Lucia Egbuna (born 24 December 1980) [1] is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress. She sings in English, Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin.
Nneka Lucia Egbuna was born and raised in Warri, in Delta State, south-south region of Nigeria, to a German mother and Nigerian father. [2] [3] She is the youngest of four siblings. When Nneka was two years old, their German mother abandoned the family. When her father remarried, his new wife tortured and terrorized the children of the first marriage, especially the two youngest—Nneka and her brother, Anato—in an effort to make their lives intolerable. [1]
In 1999, she relocated to Hamburg, her mother's home city. At first, she lived in a residence for asylum seekers close to the airport. Later, she moved into communal housing for youths. She learned German very quickly, and after a year and a half, she completed her high school diploma at a secondary school that had a graduation track for non-native speakers of German. After graduating from high school, she studied anthropology and African studies at Hamburg University, while making music on the side. [2] [1] Subsequently she began performing in the underground dancehall scene in order to finance her degree. [2]
Nneka first gained public attention in 2004 while performing as an opening act for dancehall reggae star Sean Paul at Hamburg Stadtpark, and following much acclaim, she announced her intentions to record her first album. [1] After releasing her debut EP, The Uncomfortable Truth, she performed on her first tour in April 2005, playing shows in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In 2005, Nneka's debut album, Victim of Truth, was released across Europe, Nigeria and Japan. Garnering rave reviews from the media, the UK's Sunday Times later declared Victim of Truth "the year’s most criminally overlooked album". [4] Despite universal acclaim, the record did not manage to chart. Nevertheless, Nneka enjoyed a sustained and successful period of touring, performing with label-mate Patrice Bart-Williams. During her tour, she played at Chiemsee Reggae Summer, Haarlem (Bevrijdingsfestival), The Hague (Park Pop) and Saint-Brieuc (Art Rock Festival), and in respected venues, such as La Maroquinerie and New Morning in Paris, Tivoli in Utrecht, Paradiso in Amsterdam, and Cargo and ULU in London. She has also supported artists such as Femi Kuti, Bilal, Seeed, and Gnarls Barkley.
In 2006, Nneka also performed on the German television network WDR, where she performed her single "Gypsy", while a dance group performed a dance routine they had worked on specifically for the song. The dance group was supported by the organization Schlauberger.
In February 2008, she released her second album, No Longer at Ease. [1] The title of the album is taken from a novel of the same name by Chinua Achebe and reflects the lyrical content of the record. Many of the songs are political, talking about the plight of the Niger Delta and the corruption in Nneka's homeland. No Longer at Ease combines the political and the personal in "a winning mix of soul, hip-hop and reggae". [5] The lead single from the record, "Heartbeat", became Nneka's first song to break into the German Top 50. [6] In September 2009, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at no. 20. [7] "Heartbeat" has since been remixed several times, most notably by Chase & Status, was sampled by Rita Ora for her chart-topping single, "R.I.P.". [8]
In the following months, Nneka toured in France, Italy and Portugal, while she also supported Lenny Kravitz on his French tour in April 2009.
Nneka was nominated in three categories for the 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards, and won an award for Best African Act at the 2009 MOBO Awards. [9] [10]
In late 2009, she was chosen as of one Beyond Race Magazine's "50 Emerging Artists", resulting in a spot in the publication's No. 11 issue (with Bodega Girls and J. Cole on the cover), as well as an exclusive Q&A for the magazine's site. [11]
In November 2009, Nneka began her first concert tour of the United States, where she performed shows in New York City, Vienna (Washington DC), Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Furthermore, she was a special guest on The Roots Jam session. Her first US release, Concrete Jungle, was set for 2 February 2010, and the album charted at no. 57 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, and at no. 18 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, where it spent a total of five weeks. [12]
Her track "Kangpe" is also featured as a soundtrack on EA Sports video game, FIFA 10 .
In January 2010, Nneka appeared in Late Show with David Letterman in New York before getting her US tour underway, and in the following June, she won the reggae category of the Museke Online Africa Music Award 2010 with her hit song, "Africans". [13]
Nneka toured with Nas and Damian Marley for their Distant Relatives album. Her highly rated track, "Heartbeat" was remixed with Nas, and was released via iTunes on 5 October 2010. [14]
She participated in the 2010 Lilith Fair Concert, where artists such as Tegan & Sara, Sarah McLachlan, Kelly Clarkson, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Corinne Bailey Rae, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna have performed. During her US tour for Concrete Jungle, she performed also in Washington, Raleigh and Charlotte.
Nneka recorded a song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa called "Viva Africa"; the song is a tribute to the premier mundial on African soil.
In 2010, Nneka won the award for best indigenous artist in Nigeria at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards, which was held in New York. [15] Since then she has won the NEA award for best international artist several times.
Nneka made an appearance on the Nigerian drama film, Relentless, co-produced and directed by Andy Amadi Okoroafor; the film also featured Gideon Okeke, Halle Mordu, Jimmy Jean-Louis and Tope Oshin Ogun. Relentless was released on 13 October 2010 at the BFI London Film Festival. [16]
In 2011, Nneka was featured alongside Ziggy Marley on the song "Express Yourself", produced for the film Beat the World . [17]
In March 2012, she appeared on BET 106 and Park Music Matters. On the show she performed a live acoustic set with one of Nigeria's best Afro classical acoustic guitarists Clef nite and Black Thought the front man and rapper for the popular hip hop band The Roots. She also made similar appearance on MTV Iggy, with Clef nite on the second acoustic guitar.
Nneka recorded her album Soul Is Heavy in Nigeria, and the album was released in March 2012. Soul is Heavy charted in France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and peaked at no. 38 on the UK R&B Albums chart. The album's most successful single, "Shining Star", charted at no. 97 on the UK Singles Chart, her second and final song to do so. The record received an average critical response and was awarded a score of 70 on Metacritic. [18]
In 2012, Nneka collaborated with American footwear and clothing brand Reebok. [19] In May 2013, she appeared on False Idols by Tricky.
Even though Nneka sings more than she raps, she names hip hop as her primary musical root and most important source of inspiration, while citing artists such as Fela Kuti and Bob Marley as well as contemporary rappers Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Lauryn Hill as key influences in her own pursuit of musical recognition. [20]
Her lyrics reflect much of her history and life in Nigeria as well as her time spent in Western Europe. Her songs stress the issues of capitalism, poverty and war and are often loaded with moral and biblical messages and references, with some music commentators comparing her to Erykah Badu, Neneh Cherry, and Floetry. [21] [22]
In 2012, Nneka co-founded the Rope foundation, alongside Ahmed "Genda" Nyei. [2] The Rope Foundation serves as a platform for young men and women to express themselves through art, and the charity also focuses on working with sexually abused women at the WAGA (War Affected Girls & Adults) Foundation, located in the Bo Town region of Sierra Leone. [2] Nneka described The Rope Foundation as working "to give a platform to help people express themselves and their issues in society". [2]
Nneka also serves as the Arts Ambassador for the African Women Development Fund [AWDF] in Ghana. [23] She has worked extensively in charity and arts with the foundation in Sierra Leone.
Robin Miriam Carlsson, known as Robyn, is a Swedish pop singer, songwriter, record producer, and DJ. Her 1995 debut album Robyn Is Here produced two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles: "Do You Know " and "Show Me Love". Her second and third albums, My Truth (1999) and Don't Stop the Music (2002), were released in Sweden.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, film producer, and philanthropist. Known as "the Voice", she is one of the most awarded entertainers of all time and among the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 220 million records worldwide. Houston is known for her crossover appeal on popular music charts that influenced the breaking down of racial barriers, the recording industry, and popular culture, as well as her powerful, soulful vocal performances, the popularization of using gospel singing techniques in pop music, and film production. In 2023, she was ranked second on Rolling Stone's list of the greatest singers of all time. Houston had 11 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and is the only artist to have seven consecutive number-one singles on the chart. She also enhanced her popularity by entering the film industry. Her accolades include eight Grammy Awards, 22 American Music Awards, two Emmy Awards, and 30 Guinness World Records. Houston's inductions include the Grammy Hall of Fame (twice), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the BET Walk of Fame, the Soul Train Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the New Jersey Hall of Fame, and the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress.
Erica Abi Wright, known professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer and songwriter. Influenced by R&B, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the late 1990s when her debut album Baduizm (1997), placed her at the forefront of the neo soul movement, earning her the nickname "Queen of Neo Soul" by music critics.
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Often referred to as the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" and "Queen of R&B", Blige has won nine Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, four American Music Awards, twelve NAACP Image Awards, and twelve Billboard Music Awards, including the Billboard Icon Award. She has been nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards, including one for her supporting role in the film Mudbound (2017) and another for its original song "Mighty River", becoming the first person nominated for acting and songwriting in the same year.
Alecia Beth Moore, known professionally as Pink, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is known for her rock-influenced pop songs and powerful voice.
Joscelyn Eve Stoker, known professionally as Joss Stone, is an English singer, songwriter and actress. She rose to prominence in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, The Soul Sessions, which made the 2004 Mercury Prize shortlist. Her second album, Mind Body & Soul (2004), topped the UK Albums Chart and spawned the top-ten single "You Had Me", Stone's most successful single on the UK Singles Chart to date. Both the album and single received one nomination at the 2005 Grammy Awards, while Stone herself was nominated for Best New Artist, and in an annual BBC poll of music critics, Sound of 2004, was ranked fifth as a predicted breakthrough act of 2004. She became the youngest British female singer to top the UK Albums Chart. Stone's third album, Introducing Joss Stone, released in March 2007, achieved gold record status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and yielded the second-ever highest debut for a British female solo artist on the Billboard 200, and became Stone's first top-five album in the US.
Anastacia Lyn Newkirk is an American singer-songwriter. Her first two studio albums, Not That Kind (2000) and Freak of Nature (2001), were released in quick succession. Spurred on by her globally successful debut single "I'm Outta Love", Anastacia was declared the "world's best-selling new female pop artist" at the World Music Awards in 2001. Her commercial success continued with the albums' other singles, such as "Not That Kind", "Paid My Dues" and "One Day In Your Life", as well as the official song of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, "Boom".
P-Square are a Nigerian music duo composed of the twin brothers Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, who co-write and co-produce most of their songs. Noted for their artistic reinvention, musical versatility, and visual presentation, they are widely regarded as one of the most influential African acts of all time and one of the most successful music groups from Africa. They were integral to the evolution of the 2000s and 2010s African popular music. The duo was launched into the mainstream recognition following the release of the song “Senorita” in 2003, and later gain recognition after releasing their sophomore album Get Squared in 2005. The success of the album earned them a nomination at the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2006. A prominent figure in the Africa popular culture of the 21st Century, P-Square was awarded Artistes of the Decade at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2015.
Ledisi Anibade Young, better known simply as Ledisi, is an American R&B and jazz recording artist, songwriter, music producer, author and actress. Her name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba.
Paloma Faith Blomfield is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. After signing to Epic Records in 2008, she released her debut studio album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? (2009), which was certified double platinum in the UK and spawned the singles "Stone Cold Sober", "New York", and "Upside Down". Her second studio album, Fall to Grace (2012), charted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and earned her another double platinum certification. The album produced her first top ten single, "Picking Up the Pieces", the top twenty cover version of INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart", and earned her two Brit Award nominations.
Jessica Ellen Cornish, known professionally as Jessie J, is an English singer and songwriter. Born and raised in London, she began her career on stage, aged 11, with a role in the West End musical Whistle Down the Wind. She studied at the BRIT School before signing with Gut Records and striking a songwriting deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
"R.I.P." is a song by English singer Rita Ora featuring British rapper Tinie Tempah from her debut studio album, Ora (2012). The song was written by Aubrey Graham (Drake), F. Samadzada, Mikkel Eriksen, Nneka Egbuna, Renee Wisdom, Saul Milton, Tinie Tempah, Tor Erik Hermansen and William Kennard, and produced by Chase & Status and Stargate. It was released as the second single from the album for digital download and streaming by Columbia and Roc Nation in various countries on 6 May 2012. Sampling Chase & Status' remix of Nneka's "Heartbeat" (2008), it is a dubstep and pop song, incorporating R&B, rave and rock elements. Its lyrics are an ode to a lost love and the process to overcome that situation.
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, who is known professionally as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid is a prominent voice in the emerging Afrobeats movement. His music is blend of Afrobeats, afropop, R&B, afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, and pop. He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five, a group he and a couple of his church friends formed. In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W's Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He rose to the limelight after releasing "Holla at Your Boy", the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011), which also spawned the singles "Tease Me/Bad Guys" and "Don't Dull".
Chidinma Ekile, who is known professionally as Chidinma, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. A native of Imo State, Chidinma was born in Ketu, Kosofe, Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria. In 2010, she gained prominence after winning the third season of Project Fame West Africa. Following the release of the music video for her "Emi Ni Baller" single, she became the first female musician to peak at number 1 on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart. In 2011, she released the Sound Sultan-assisted single "Jankoliko". Her eponymous debut album Chidinma, released through the music platform Spinlet, was supported by the singles "Jankoliko", "Carry You Go", "Kedike" and "Run Dia Mouth". Chidinma won Best Female West African Act at the 2012 Kora Awards and performed "Kedike" at the ceremony.
"Heartbeat" is a song by Nigerian singer Nneka. It was released in 2008 as a single from her second studio album No Longer at Ease, as well as her third studio album Concrete Jungle. A 2010 EP release of the song features American rapper Nas. The song was remixed by English electronic music duo Chase & Status and included on the "new edition" of their debut studio album, More than Alot. The remix of the song was sampled in Rita Ora's 2012 song "R.I.P.".
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu , who is known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party", the lead single from his debut studio album L.I.F.E (2013). In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Atlantic Records in the United States to release his third studio album, Outside (2018).
Relentless is a 2010 Nigerian drama film, co-produced and directed by Andy Amadi Okoroafor; it stars Gideon Okeke, Nneka Egbuna, Jimmy Jean-Louis and Tope Oshin Ogun. It was released on 13 October 2010 at the BFI London Film Festival, and was positively received; mostly praised for its cinematography and soundtrack.
Halle is a Nigerian actress and a singer-songwriter / dancer currently signed to N3rd Records.
"Water Me" is a song by American singer and rapper Lizzo, released as a single on August 18, 2017. It was written by Clarence Coffee Jr., E. Kidd Bogart, Ricky Reed, Farhad Samadzada, Lizzo, Morris Wittenberg, Nneka Lucia Egbuna and Tobias Wincorn. Reed handled the production, with Wincorn as an additional producer. The song was later included on the deluxe edition of Lizzo's 2019 album Cuz I Love You.
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She began a fashion career at the age of 16 with Quove Model Management before deciding to pursue a career in music. After covering several songs by popular artists on Instagram, she posted her first original song on her page in December 2019. This brought her to the attention of record executive Don Jazzy, who signed her to his record label Mavin Records.