Artist feature - Nneka

Nneka is one artist that inspires me. Her songs are always lyrically rich and you will definitely press the replay. I remember the first time I heard one of her hit tracks from YouTube 'Africa,' and I knew she could be the next Lauryn Hill? Nneka was not a popular name in Africa, when compared with likes of D'banj, P-square and others. But, that ended on the night of 2009 MOBO awards; she clinched the Best African Act Award.

Reelblack sat down with Nigerian recording artist NNEKA on the eve of the release of CONCRETE JUNGLE, her first collection of songs to be released in the US. In this exclusive clip, she ruminates on the power of music and the meaning behind her work. Already touted by Rolling Stone, Nneka is an artist to watch in 2010. Camera by Craig Carpenter. Special thanks World Cafe Live.

Nneka's timely and poignant song, "The Uncomfortable Truth" has been named as iTunes' Single Of The Week offering the track as a free download starting today through February 1st. The song is the lead single from the singer/songwriter's US album debut Concrete Jungle, which will be offered exclusively on the iTunes Store during that same time period for just $6.99.

Click on image to buy album

Having released three previous albums in Europe and beyond, Nneka's music has been heard and loved by hundreds of thousands of fans across the globe. Admirers within press and music circles continue to grow. In a recent blog entry, Perez Hilton introduced Nneka to his readers explaining that her music "is a gift to the world."

Having been declared by both Spin and Rolling Stone as one of the best new artists in 2010, Nneka is set to bring her message of hope and truth to the United States while embarking on her upcoming Concrete Jungle Tour on January 27th. Her first US release stands as an offering of love, hope and optimism dedicated to the people of Warri & the Niger Delta of Nigeria, and the US is ready to embrace that message and it's messenger with open arms.

Nneka's first US album, Concrete Jungle will also be available on iTunes exclusively this week for $6.99.

Concrete Jungle Tour Dates
  Jan 27        San Francisco, CA @ Red Devil Lounge
  Jan 29        Los Angeles, CA @ Hotel Cafe
  Feb 2         New York, NY @ S.O.B's (Official Release Party)
  Feb 3         Performance on David Letterman
  Feb 4         Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
  Feb 5         Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
  Feb 6         Baltimore, MD @ Sonar Club Stage
  Feb 8         Birmingham, AL @ WorkPlay Theatre
  Feb 9         Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl
  Feb 11        Nashville, TN @ 3rd & Lindsley
  Feb 13        St. Louis, MO @ The Gramophone
  Feb 14        Chicago, IL @ Double Door

www.worldcafelive.com www.nnekaworld.com Nneka's music available on Itunes and Amazon.com