CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE NOW LISTEN TO “CONCRETE JUNGLE” by NNEKA
Street Date caught up with Nneka on the eve of her U.S. album release, and we asked her about the meaning behind the lead song on Concrete Jungle, titled The Uncomfortable Truth.
SD: You clearly make “music with a message.” What would you like people in the United States to learn from this album, and from your song The Uncomfortable Truth?
Nneka: It is about true and pure love, without having an ulterior motive at the back of ones mind..honest and sincere, whether your a politician or a pastor, do your work with transparency and purtiy the rest woud be added unto you.. no corruption or injustice.
SD: Which American artists/bands have influenced you the most?
Nneka: hip hop, mos def, nas, mobb deep
SD: Are you excited to be playing the Late Show with David Letterman? How does it feel to know you’ll be walking across the same stage that hosted The Beatles in their first appearance on American television?
Nneka: I am looking forward and hope I can give as much as I want within 3 mins 15 sec.
SD: In honor of Valentine’s Day we are preparing the ultimate Love Songs playlist. What is your favorite love song?
Nneka: Kiss and Say Goodbye by The Manhattans
REVIEW OF REVIEWS
Concrete Jungle, Nneka’s debut Stateside release, would sound like a starmaker in any language. Spurred on by poignant piano and crisp drum breaks, Nneka’s voice (think a less spacey Erykah Badu) alternates between righteously bold and heartbreakingly fragile.
She’s clearly listened to Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu, but the production on Concrete Jungle, by DJ Farhot, is both inventive and inviting. Much of the music here has been previously released in Europe and Africa, where Nneka is already a cult star. It’s time the rest of us caught up with her.
TRACKLIST
1. Showin’ Love
2. The Uncomfortable Truth
3. Mind Vs. Heart
4. Heartbeat
5. Come With Me
6. Kangpe (feat. Wesley Williams)
7. Africans
8. Suffri
9. From Africa 2 U
10. Walking
11. Focus
12. God Of Mercy
VIDEOS
