Nneka

My father is a very strict man.

I tend to explain my songs.

I hope that what I am today is of positive benefit to other people.

I always like earthy, authentic sounds.

Everything that the West is today is predominantly because of Africa.

The way people see Africa is mostly dark.

I don't want to be a big star. I just want to get my message across.

My heart's desire is to be recognised in Nigeria.

I was a very conscientious student.

Living in Germany Africanised me.

In Nigeria, if you say you're a singer, people say, 'So what? Everyone sings.' In Germany, my voice stood out more.

My music is very versatile, very mixed.

Take advantage of educating yourself.

I think it's important to learn instruments, whenever one has a little space. Be eager to learn and love your instrument.

At times I have a beat first and then I write. Sometimes I have a melody in my head and I pick up the guitar to develop the song. Other times I just write without any melodies, and I end up using those lyrics when I think I have the appropriate instrumental that would bring out and depict the emotions of what I have written.

I must be true to myself within my music or I would be a liar.

If you're able to grow up in Nigeria and go through certain things, you're able to tackle anything around the world because you're able to live wherever, if you can survive in a city like Lagos or Warri or Niger Delta, as far as I'm concerned.

Listening to the type of music I grew up with, like King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti and experiencing different things and conditions and hardship, as well as the good times in Nigeria, has definitely carved me into who I am.