Talking uncomfortable truths with Nneka

Now simply called Nneka, and as an artiste who’s shrugged off comparisons to Lauryn Hill, she strikes a balance with confidence on one hand and humility on the other. After a handful of chance encounters over the years, Weekend Magazine called Nneka on the phone to talk about many things, including her UK Top 40 […]

Now simply called Nneka, and as an artiste who’s shrugged off comparisons to Lauryn Hill, she strikes a balance with confidence on one hand and humility on the other. After a handful of chance encounters over the years, Weekend Magazine called Nneka on the phone to talk about many things, including her UK Top 40 success, awards nominations and steadily climbing international attention. The background sound suggested she was busy, but the artiste graciously accepted to a request for a chat. Herewith, are excerpts:

Weekend Magazine: So, how did it all begin, your journey to music as a career?

Nneka: During my early days in Germany, I was fired from my job as a clerk in a Footlocker store on the first day. After losing a second job, I got a job with a cleaning service, primarily cleaning toilets starting at four in the morning before going to school and sleeping in class. So you can imagine, when I say I’ve been through crap (laughter).

You see, in Nigeria, I’d sung in church but never pursued a professional career as a singer per se until coping with the culture clash of being in Germany pushed me on. I hooked up with DJ Farhot and in 2005 we put out a five-song EP, ‘The Uncomfortable Truth,’ which got major labels in Germany looking at my direction. By the end of that year, we had produced a full-length debut, ‘Victim of Truth.’

WM: The titles “Victim of Truth” and “No Longer at Ease” seem to hint at sadness. Why did you pick them?

Nneka: My work’s dedicated to my family and the struggles they have been through influenced the album titles. Also, environmental and political issues add to the mix. All that inspired me to no longer be at ease. That and Chinua Achebe’s book, “No Longer at Ease” came up as the perfect foil for that feeling, that emotional conduit, so to speak.

As for tone, I obviously adore Bob Marley. Then there’s Fela, Lauryn Hill and more. I lean more towards people who infuse their work with great feeling and empathy. And don’t forget I was born in Nigeria and the crime, the corruption — I saw it all and I have to sing about it. Every day of my life inspires me.

WM: You have described your music as half-caste music before. Why?

Nneka: Because you can’t box it — it’s mixed. Like me (laughter). My song ‘Half Caste’ is kind of autobiographical, showcasing the issues mixed race children may sometimes have with their identity. I grew up in Warri and while I wrote the song it isn’t strictly about me. Most mixed race kids don’t consider themselves African and at the same time are not fully integrated into the white community, which pushes them into all kinds of negative directions like drugs and other stuff like that.

WM: Some of them find a beautiful release in music…

Nneka: (Laughter) Yes, they do, thank you.

WM: You have toured extensively around Europe and there’s quite a buzz around you at the moment with lots of radio and video play. And also, what’s the deal with you and American rock star Lenny Kravitz?

Nneka: It’s all cool but I don’t really care about all that. For me, it’s all about spreading the message. If enough people identify with the message, then I’m fine. I do not see myself as a performer but as somebody who shares feelings with others.

As for Lenny [Kravitz], I opened a bunch of his tour dates in Europe and he was quite nice to me, even complimenting me on my work. He spoke about being in Lagos as a child and all that. He’s quite an interesting person and not quite the rock star persona one would expect.

WM: Did he mention how uncannily you resemble his ex-wife Lisa Bonet who played Denise in The Bill Cosby Show?

Nneka: No, he did not. (Laughter) I have heard that from many, many people, though. I think it’s a compliment, as she’s very beautiful and I don’t consider us look-alikes.

WM: At age 19 you moved to Hamburg, Germany. Why?

Nneka: I was what is called a very serious student. I did well in my A and O-levels and applied to study Economics at university. But something I can’t talk about happened and I made the decision to move to Germany. I studied Anthropology. I mean, I need an alternative if music doesn’t work out.

WM: What would you say is the real value of your studies, and has it affected you as a person and artiste?

Nneka: Studying Archaeology and Anthropology is often seen as a weird choice in Nigeria. The discipline isn’t really widespread. This belief that we Nigerians have a perception that preserving our culture is something that we have to learn as people always says our history isn’t written, rather than oral literature. This is not true. There are so many artefacts to be found and literature waiting to be written. Most are being sold to European countries, so hopefully we could try to find people with the same ideology to see if we can do something about that.

WM: You are notoriously publicity-shy. How will you handle your MOBO wins and Channel O nominations and the media hoopla that’s sure to follow?

Nneka: I have a message in my work, and if the media supports it in one way or the other, that’s fine. It’d merely be an added advantage.

WM: You seem to seamlessly blend politics and emotions in your work. How do you achieve that?

Nneka: Everybody has a conscience. We all know the limits of our freedom. As soon as you practice your freedom and it starts hurting someone else’s dignity then you know that it’s not right. So that is all I represent, the limits of freedom. I wouldn’t limit it to politics and emotions. Conscience is very much a part of it, too.

WM: How about your dad, the Nigerian part of your background – he must be proud of your achievements…

Nneka: Of course, he is. But the thing with my father is that he feels anyone can do music and that sense that he’s not a 100% impressed by me pushes me to, well, push the envelope. Hopefully, my non-music work will impress him someday.

WM: Here comes the much-dreaded ‘what-inspires-you’ question…

Nneka: (Laughter) I’m actually trembling. Well, you could say I get inspired when I take a look at things going on in the world at any given time. As well as in my country, you know, how people suffer, religion and its mis-practice, politicians and their lies, all that. Truth is I’m not here to entertain. I’m here to speak my mind.