Nneka: hip-hop till you drop

by Alison Hird

Article published on the 2010-02-05 Latest update 2010-02-06 11:27 TU

Nneka performs
(Credit: Nneka)

Nigerian-German hip-hop/soul artist Nneka has come a long way since she first spoke to Worldtracks in 2007. With the release of her fourth album Concrete Jungle and a guest appearance on the David Letterman show in the US, she’s quickly becoming one to watch.

Nneka sings in English and her native Igbo.

She uses her voice to “convince our fellow Nigerians about our responsibilities, starting with the man selling oranges on the streets, up to the big men that take advantage of the poor and uneducated by using them for their self benefit, and then fill their pockets with the money gained from another man's blood or suffering."

Concrete Jungle (Decon/Epic) is her fourth album and first US release. It features twelve impassioned tracks enrobed in horns, trumpets and the occasional steel drum, which see her using her political voice to full effect.

The fiery, straight-talking 28-year old intends to wake up and shake down her public.

In Showin' Love she calls upon, "Jezebels, Judases, bangers, bastards, prophets, men of God, prostitutes, popes, teachers, lawyers, all you scholars, rulers, chosen few," to look at what really matters in life.

From the reggae-influenced Kangpe to rock-inspired Focus, the “bring on the revolution” messages are clear and unabashed.

On Africa we hear how they "Lied to us, blind us, they slaved us, misplaced us, strengthened us, hardened us, then they replaced us. Now we got to learn from pain. Now it's up to us to gain some recognition. If we stop blaming, we could get a better condition."