Nneka

Described as "magnificent" and "an incredible artist" by hip-hop legend Nas, Nneka has been hailed by The Sunday Times as "as impactful as Lauryn Hill's debut album" with her first record.

Born and raised in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, Nneka spent her childhood and early youth in one of the country's oil cities. Originally from Anambra State, the artist is of Igbo descent. Her name, Nneka Lucia Egbuna, translates to "mother is great" in the Igbo language.

Seeking a different life experience and to explore her German roots, Nneka moved to Germany in her early twenties. She began studying Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of Hamburg. It was during this period that she shaped her artistic identity. "I funded my education in Germany by performing on the underground music scene," Nneka says. "I have been writing since a very young age. I have always put my thoughts, experiences, and prayers into words."

Her politically and socially conscious lyrics quickly made her one of Africa's most powerful voices. Nneka's music spans a wide thematic range, from maternal love and devotion to the divine to heartbreak and the pursuit of justice. Over the past decade, she has released a continuous stream of work, including the albums Victim of Truth, Concrete Jungle (released in the US), No Longer At Ease, and Soul Is Heavy, as well as the EP My Fairy Tales. Her 2009 single "Heartbeat" entered the UK Top 20 charts, drawing attention with its Nas collaboration; it also inspired Rita Ora's chart-topping hit "R.I.P." Hip-hop artist Drake sampled the original version of the track.

Nneka continues to captivate global audiences by performing alongside notable names such as The Roots, Burna Boy, Tuface Idibia, Groundation, Seun Kuti, Erykah Badu, Gnarls Barkley, Nas, and Damian Marley. In 2009, she was named "Best African Artist" at the MOBO Awards. She recorded the special track "Viva Africa" for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and appeared on The David Letterman Show and BET's 106 & Park. In 2014, she joined the mentoring panel for the fourth season of Nigerian Idol.

In 2016, Nneka joined the Les Amazones de l'Afrique collective alongside other prominent African female artists like Angélique Kidjo, Kandia Kouyaté, and Mariam Doumbia. Together, they raised awareness on issues such as domestic violence, female genital mutilation, and sexual abuse.

Through her concerts across different regions, the artist continues to spread messages of love and peace among people, regardless of their origins.

Nneka's commitment to social responsibility extends beyond her music. In 2012, she co-founded The Rope Foundation with Sierra Leonean Ahmed Nyeie (Genda). This organization provides a space for young people to express themselves through art. The foundation's most recent projects were carried out at the WAGA (War Affected Girls & Adults) Foundation in the Bo region of Sierra Leone, working with women who have experienced sexual abuse. Nneka also serves as an Art Ambassador for the Ghana-based African Women Development Fund (AWDF) and actively participates in numerous social projects targeting youth in Nigeria and neighboring countries.

In 2020, Nneka launched an Instagram page to share her artistic work, viewing painting and drawing as a way to "express the essence of existing on earth." The artist continues to inspire through various forms of expression.

Meet Nneka at Paribu Art on June 23.