Nigerian Nneka’s hip-hop bears witness to injustice

By Gail Mitchell

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) – What began as a hobby and form of therapy has evolved into a career for Nigerian singer-songwriter Nneka (pronounced “neck-ah”).

“Nigeria is a tough place to grow up,” the 2009 MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award winner says. “Tribal wars, oil company exploitation, corrupt political leaders … I never really thought about becoming somebody; it was more about waking up with no pressure in a peaceful surrounding. But growing up like that has made me who I am.”

Audiences across the country are getting to know Nneka as she tours in support of her first U.S. release, “Concrete Jungle” (Yo Mama’s/Decon/Epic). In the midst of a 12-market tour to such cities as Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Atlanta, Nneka made a high-profile appearance on “Late Show With David Letterman” February 3.

A compilation of her first two critically acclaimed European albums, “Concrete Jungle” showcases a singer-songwriter who’s unafraid to bear witness to hypocrisy and social and political injustice. Set against a backdrop of hip-hop, Afro-beats, rock, soul and reggae — inspired by such influences as Talib Kweli and the Fugees — Nneka’s music is raw and sensual, as evidenced on lead single “The Uncomfortable Truth” (an iTunes Single of the Week), “Heartbeat” and “Suffri.”

“She brings a sociopolitical awareness rarely heard these days,” says air personality Garth Trinidad, of noncommercial KCRW Los Angeles. Trinidad made Nneka a featured performer at his January 30 Grammy Brunch in L.A. “People are starving for what she brings, especially because the music is based on classic, thump-laden hip-hop.”

Wrapping her tour February 14 in Chicago, Nneka is already booked for several South by Southwest showcases and slated for some Lilith Fair dates.