Nneka

Nneka Lucia Egbuna (born December 24, 1980, in Warri, Nigeria), known mononymously as Nneka, is a Nigerian-German singer, songwriter, and actress. Her music blends R&B, hip hop, soul, Afrobeat, and reggae, and she is recognized globally for her powerful, socially conscious lyrics. **Early Life and Education** Nneka was born and raised in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. After graduating from high school, she moved to Hamburg, Germany, where she studied anthropology and African studies at the University of Hamburg. During her studies, she began performing music in the underground dancehall scene to help finance her degree. **Career Progression and Notable Works** Nneka’s professional career began in 2003. Her debut album, *Victim of Truth*, was released in 2005. Her breakthrough came with her second album, *No Longer at Ease* (2008), which charted in Germany, France, Switzerland, and Austria. The album’s success was followed by her third album, *Concrete Jungle* (2010), which introduced her to a wider international audience. In 2012, she released *Soul Is Heavy*, which charted on the UK R\&B Albums chart and featured the successful single "Shining Star." She continued her discography with *My Fairy Tales* (2015) and *Love Supreme* (2022). Throughout her career, Nneka has been praised for her vocal talent and raw, politically charged music, with American rapper Nas calling her an "amazing" and "incredible artist." **Major Achievements and Advocacy** Beyond music, Nneka is noted for her significant advocacy work. She is the founder of The Rope Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping people express themselves and their societal issues, particularly through charity and arts initiatives in Sierra Leone. She also serves as the Arts Ambassador for the African Women Development Fund (AWDF) in Ghana. **Current Status** Nneka continues to be an active artist, releasing her latest album *Love Supreme* in 2022. She also engages with the art world, having launched an Instagram page in 2020 to display her artwork, which she uses as another medium to express her perspectives on life and humanity.