Nneka is a Nigerian-German hip-hop/soul singer and songwriter who has a heart as big as her Afro. She learned about music in her home country of Nigeria, soaking up the sounds and rhythms of one of the most musical nations on the planet for the first nineteen years of her life.
Her music features an inspirational mix of hot loops, black consciousness and 21st-century soul music. She uses triumphant brass and uplifting reggae rhythms that illuminate her journey into the heart of darkness and an uncertain future.
Nneka’s sophomore release received praise from both Lenny Kravitz and Lauryn Hill, both of whom upon hearing her music immediately insisted on having her as the opening act for their shows. One of the reasons Nneka has received such praise is that her music is combined of a big splash of Bob Marley in the recipe, a measure of Nina Simone and a lick of Erykah Badu. What’s not to like about any of that?
Playing along with Nneka is Berklee College of Music alumna Emily Elbert. After falling in love with guitar when she was 14, Elbert dove into writing, singing, performing, and recording music, and eventually set her sights on attending Berklee. The now Berklee grad has played over 500 shows internationally, released three independent albums of original material, and won awards on both sides of the Atlantic.
Good news for us Boston folk, Nneka and Emily Elbert will be at Berklee College of Music’s Café 939 on Saturday, October 20th at 8:00 p.m. – so don’t miss out on this chance to hear these two remarkably talented singer/songwriters!
