Nneka Exclusive: ‘Pain Is My Biggest Inspiration’

By Dayo Farore

Born Nneka Lucia Egbuna on a Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 1980 to an Igbo father in Nigeria, Nneka as she simply calls herself on stage has really made a big impact in Nigeria with her music as well beyond the shores of Africa. She remains one of the many artistes who have made the nation proud through music and style even though she’s based in Germany, but shuffles between both countries from time to time.

With the energy she instils into her songs and the overwhelming force she displays in her afro-centric videos, Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET) on Saturday, July 30, 2011 was pleasantly surprised to see the very cool side of the musician who smiled all the way during our conversation at Eko Hotel & Suites, in Lagos. In this interview, the Neverland Music recording act talks about music, men, fashion, and much more….

Please tell us about yourself, Nneka.

I am Nneka, a Nigerian born and raised artist from Warri. My father is from Anambra State and my mum’s a German and from Edo state. I went to school in Delta State and studied in German Archaeology and anthropology

Why choose the name, ‘Nneka’ and not ‘Lucia’?

Because that is the name my father gave me

What genre of music would you group your music?

It is very diverse, mixed with afro and soul. It is very eclectic since it has different directions even afro beat

 So what or who inspired your kind of music?

Life in general inspires me, people, movement, pain and pleasure, and the ways of mankind both good and evil.

What are the things in our everyday life that make you write songs?

The things that make me do what I do? I guess it’s the spirit, the way I feel at that point in time I am creating music; something might inspire me, a situation most of the time. It is melancholy, believe without polarity in life, I would have nothing to say, pain is my biggest inspiration

Who are your favourite artistes in Nigeria and Abroad?

I love Keziah Jones, Femi Kuti and Seun, there are other artistes I support, for instance, Asa…

And what are things you admire in these artistes?

I guess I admire their originality and being African. They are real, not fake or borrow pose artistes

If you will be starting music all over again, who would you rather be?

Myself

What else do you aside singing?

I paint and I cook

Your hairstyle, what’s the inspiration?

Well, I am not a wig person; I just think it is stressful carrying someone else’s hair on your head if it is not necessary. Well nothing against our so called tradition, I love woven hair; I just represent simplicity and authenticity

Your best make-up pack, who made it?

I have none

Shoes or Clothes, which would you rather spend so much money on?

I hardly go shopping, not conscious about it

What African apparel do you fancy?

Tie and dye

What other instrument do you play aside the guitar?

Percussions, a little bit of drums

What kind of guitar would you beg a stranger to please let you play for a while if he/she is carrying it?

I love mine. I am cool

Comparing Nigerian music to the Germany’s, what do you feel we have that interests you that they do not have in Germany?

We have rhythm; we have a different approach to art and music. Germans are straighter and like the up-tempo kind of music, for example Techno

This brings us to men, what do you feel is the difference between Nigerian and German men?

It depends in what way and sense. Everyone is different; I mean, we have different norms and traditions and we handle things according to this culture. There are various differences

How do you say, ‘I love Nigerian men in German?

I can say so but it does not mean I do: ich liebe nigerianische männer

So what Nigerian dish are you very good at making without any supervision?

Egusi

Growing up in Warri, which would you consider your worst moment as a teenager?

Raising my hands up to show I salute and respect to the gunmen, on my way to school during the crisis in Warri

With the rate of development in the Nigerian music today, would you advise any artiste to still travel abroad with the intentions of becoming big out there? 

No, stay in Naija; create a home fan base, even if you want to travel try to have a home fan base, leave your mark in your home country. It is important

What do you think the Nigerian music industry still lacks?

It lacks record companies, it lacks management, a proper distribution, sales and marketing, proper good performances, real artistes, so much, but we are getting there gradually, things are getting better. There is a lot of talent in Nigeria and we are here to support that with all we can

Which Nigerian artiste would you like to feature any day?

I would still love to work with Seun Kuti

Most of us have things we fear while we are kids, some fear height, some water, do you have any?

I have fears, my own is not fulfilling what God wants me to do or maybe being too focused on myself and in the end loosing it all

Please tell us anything else you don’t mind adding. Like your awards and more

I won MOBO, Museke Awards, Channel O Nominee, NEA Nigerian Entertainment Award (Best Female), Best African,  The New African ; 100 most influential people of Africa etc