I am still speechless from watching Nneka and her band play last weekend. The message, the depth, the therapy I so desperately needed to bring me back to earth & keep in touch with my humanity.
I'd had a Samson-esque day (Laughs) at the hair salon. Planned to soften & style my hair so I could look cute for the concert but when texturiser was applied to my hair, it fell out from the roots. I got really upset and emotional, I loved my mane! Anyway, I decided to shave three-quater of my hair and keep it moving. Extremely glad my day ended well.
Nneka's sound art isn't mainstream. It's an infusion of so many different genres; Reggae, Hip-hop, Neo-soul, R&B but the most essential part of her art, the part that has had me smitten is the thought-provoking message she conveys. I start to question my-self & my surrounding. I stop pointing fingers because I realise that I too am guilty, I too have been designed to play an essential role in my immediate surrounding. She is very true to her roots. During her performance she pauses and says in Nigeria's pidgin English, "You fit kill the messenger but you no fit kill the message"
Who are we?
Have we embraced civilisation to the extent that we are imprisoned?
How much do we seek freedom? When will we be free?
Are we suffering in silence?
Are our weaknesses our strengths?
Do we know God in solitude? Do we act him in public?
How dare I judge, when I too dwell in sin?
With Nigeria's diversity and capacity, why are we still suffering?
Is recorded history really the truth?
Are we plagued with civilised armed robbers as leaders?
Have our tradition, our love for our fellow country men, properties and resources been evaded & erased?
How long will it take for us to Love Nigeria?
Questions, still unanswered.
Love,
Onyi.
Nneka's sound art isn't mainstream. It's an infusion of so many different genres; Reggae, Hip-hop, Neo-soul, R&B but the most essential part of her art, the part that has had me smitten is the thought-provoking message she conveys. I start to question my-self & my surrounding. I stop pointing fingers because I realise that I too am guilty, I too have been designed to play an essential role in my immediate surrounding. She is very true to her roots. During her performance she pauses and says in Nigeria's pidgin English, "You fit kill the messenger but you no fit kill the message"
Who are we?
Have we embraced civilisation to the extent that we are imprisoned?
How much do we seek freedom? When will we be free?
Are we suffering in silence?
Are our weaknesses our strengths?
Do we know God in solitude? Do we act him in public?
How dare I judge, when I too dwell in sin?
With Nigeria's diversity and capacity, why are we still suffering?
Is recorded history really the truth?
Are we plagued with civilised armed robbers as leaders?
Have our tradition, our love for our fellow country men, properties and resources been evaded & erased?
How long will it take for us to Love Nigeria?
Questions, still unanswered.
Nneka performing Do You Love Me Now
If you haven't ever listened to Nneka's work, I'd recommend her Soul is Heavy Album as a first listen. I decided to start sharing politically inclined work I'd written after listening to this piece of pure genius. Her gift is exceptional and I am extremely glad that I watched her play and saw firsthand how passionate she is about her work. Enjoy!
Love,
Onyi.
