The Fanonite

Nneka, singing Heartbeat. So beautiful and impassioned, it leaves you speechless. This is the kind of authenticity that MTV and the like spend billions trying to imitate; they never succeed, but inevitably dilute the art in the process. This is heartfelt; a call for justice, recognition of our shared humanity and solidarity on a personal level.

In her own words:

“I get inspired when I take a severe look at the things going on in our world today; especially in my country. How people live, suffer and endure pain, politics and religion, when I see all that man has evoked and created out of self-centeredness and devotion to material things”.

Nneka’s voice strikes an eerie balance between rage and pain which mirror’s the abrasion of two continents, Europe and Africa, within Nneka’s life so far. Nneka reiterates her humility in the face of her musical talents.

“I do not see myself as a performer but as somebody who shares her heartfelt feelings with others. I have fortunately, by the grace of God, the opportunity to sing my message to you on stage.”

Heartbeat — by Nneka

You said you’d be there for me
In times of trouble when I need you and I’m down
And likewise you need friendship
It’s from my side pure love but I see lately things have been changing
You have goals to achieve
But the roads you take abroad and heartless
That wants you make another way
You throw stones
Can you see that I am human I am breathing
But you don’t give a damn

Can’t you feel my heart is beating
Can’t you see the pain you’re causing
Can’t you feel my heart is beating
Can’t you see the pain you’re causing

Blood blood blood … keeps rushing

And now the world is asleep
How will you ever wake her up when she gets deep in the dreams, wishing
And yet so many die
And still we think that it is all about us
It’s all about you
You sold your soul to the evil and the lust
and the passion and the money and you
And the same ones die, and people hunger for talking,
suffer under civilized damn robbers but they stabled us

Invaded, eliminated, erased, interrogated
Our tradition, our love for our fellow countrymen,
our property, our ancestors – have died

Can you feel, can you feel my heart beating ?