After relocating to Hamburg in 2003, Nneka has been working closely with the hip hop beatmaker DJ Farhot. As a young singer she first gained public attention in 2004 while performing as an opening act for dancehall reggae star Sean Paul at Hamburg Stadtpark. After much acclaim, Nneka released her debut EP The Uncomfortable Truth with the music label Yo Mama's Recording Company after which she performed on her first tour with Patrice, playing shows in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
She finished recording her first album in the autumn of 2005. Entitled Victim of Truth. Garnering rave reviews from the media, the UK's Sunday Times later declared it “the year’s most criminally overlooked album”, comparing it favourably to 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'.
In February 2008, she released her second album, No Longer at Ease. The title of the album is taken from a novel of the same name by Chinua Achebe and reflects the lyrical content of the record. Most of the songs are political, talking about the plight of the Niger Delta and the corruption in Nneka’s homeland. “No Longer at Ease” combines the political and the personal in “a winning mix of soul, hip-hop an reggae”. The lead single from it, "Heartbeat", became her first song to break into the German Top 50.
In November 2009, Nneka staged her first concert tour of the United States where she performed shows in New York City, Vienna (Washington DC), Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Furthermore she was a special guest on The Roots Jam session. Her first US release Concrete Jungle was set for 2 February 2010.
Nneka recorded her last album Soul Is Heavy in Nigeria. She also co-founded a charity foundation called the "ROPE foundation" with Genda, Ahmed Nyei from Sierra Leone. She has worked extensively in charity and arts with the foundation in Sierra Leone. Nneka has also worked with Reebok and her track "Shinning" topped global charts in 2013.
Heartbeats
Nneka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 are broad and heartless
The wounds you make you are no aware
You throw stones
Ca-a-n you fe-e-el my hear-r-r-r-r-t is beating
Ca-a-n you s-e-e-e the pa-i-i-i-i-i-n you're cau-sing
Ca-a-n you fe-e-el my hear-r-r-r-r-t is beating
Ca-a-n you s-e-e-e the pa-i-i-i-i-i-n you're cau-sing
And now the world is asleep
How will you ever wake her up when she is deep in her dreams wishing 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
Innocent ones die people hunger for decades
Suffer under civilized armed robbers modern slaveholders
Ca-a-n you fe-e-el my hear-r-r-r-r-t is beating
Ca-a-n you s-e-e-e the pa-i-i-i-i-i-n you're cau-sing
Ca-a-n you fe-e-el my hear-r-r-r-r-t is beating
Ca-a-n you s-e-e-e the pa-i-i-i-i-i-n you're cau-sing
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 are broad and heartless
The wounds you make you are no aware
You throw stones
Can you see that I am human I am breathing but you don't give a damn
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Can you feel can you feel my hea-r-r-r-t beating
You don't don't don't see
My hea-r-r-r-t is beating
Umm umm umm can you fe-e-e-el it
Ca-a-n you fe-e-el my hear-r-r-r-r-t is beating
Ca-a-n you s-e-e-e the pa-i-i-i-i-i-n you're cau-sing
Ca-a-n you fe-e-el my hear-r-r-r-r-t is beating
Ca-a-n you s-e-e-e the pa-i-i-i-i-i-n you're cau-sing
Ca-a-n you fe-e-el my hear-r-r-r-r-t is beating
Ca-a-n you s-e-e-e the pa-i-i-i-i-i-n you're cau-sing
Ca-a-n you fe-e-el my hear-r-r-r-r-t is beating
Ca-a-n you s-e-e-e the pa-i-i-i-i-i-n you're cau-sing
The lyrics to Nneka's "Heartbeat" are a plea for understanding and connection. The song begins with a declaration of a mutual promise of support, but the singer is feeling isolated and hurt by the other person's actions. The person they are addressing is focused on their own goals and has become callous to the pain they are causing others. The singer pleads for them to see the harm they are causing and to feel the beating of their heart and the pain they are causing. The second verse broadens the scope of the plea to the world at large, pointing out that many people suffer needlessly because of the selfishness of others. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, highlighting the central theme of feeling disconnected from those who should be close and the need for empathy and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
You said you'd be there for me
You promised to support me.
In times of trouble when I need you and I'm down
During difficult times when I'm feeling low.
And likewise you need friendship
You also require friendship.
It's from my side pure love but I see lately things have been changing
I have genuine affection for you, but I've noticed a shift in our relationship recently.
You have goals to achieve
You have ambitions.
But the roads you take are broad and heartless
The paths you choose lack empathy and compassion.
The wounds you make you are no aware
You are causing harm without realizing it.
You throw stones
You attack others verbally or emotionally.
Can you see that I am human I am breathing but you don't give a damn
I am a living, feeling person, but you don't seem to care.
Ca-a-n you fe-e-el my hear-r-r-r-r-t is beating
Can you sense the emotion and passion in my heart?
Ca-a-n you s-e-e-e the pa-i-i-i-i-i-n you're cau-sing
Do you realize the suffering and distress you are causing?
And now the world is asleep
The world is oblivious or indifferent.
How will you ever wake her up when she is deep in her dreams wishing yet so many die
How can you bring attention to the plight of others when so many are apathetic or unaware?
And still we think that it is all about us
Despite the global issues, we often only focus on ourselves.
It's all about you
You are consumed by your own desires.
You sold your soul to the evil and the lust
You have allowed greed and immoral behavior to take control of your life.
And the passion and the money and you
You prioritize your own desires and wealth over other more empathetic motives.
Innocent ones die people hunger for decades
Innocent individuals suffer and die, while others endure hunger and deprivation for extended periods.
Suffer under civilized armed robbers modern slaveholders
People are exploited and mistreated by those who appear to be civilized, but are actually ruthless and unethical.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Vocal expression of strong emotions.
Can you feel can you feel my hea-r-r-r-t beating
An emotional appeal for empathy and understanding.
You don't don't don't see
You are blind or indifferent.
My hea-r-r-r-t is beating
I am a living person with feelings and needs.
Umm umm umm can you fe-e-e-el it
A further plea for empathy and connection.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NASIR JONES, NNEKA-LUCIA EGBUNA, FARHAD SAMADZADA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-mn9vk3ek1h
Anyone in 2024🎉🎉🎉
@szymonzawadzki7223
Jestem
@pietrosanchez5593
2023 here. Just had her name browsing my mind from mémoires. Saw her in concert in Kings Cross back on 2009. Pure soul and talent. Cant find any recent materials from her sadly
@marianab2191
On Spotify! She's released two albums on the last couple of years.
@tessyamen1579
So sad africa especially Nigerians don't recognize such genres of music, she's too underrated here☹️. I'm forever a fan Nneka🥰
@wood4sheep
Almost as bad as a feminist roommate dismissing it as the recommendation came from a dude.
@florianadolf2256
What? Why??! Nneka is totally awesome... U know what? I bet it's this lousy algorithm piece of junk, serving people way too much of all that watered-down mainstream stuff and all the other pabulum, that the music industry is so eager to promote. Pity. I gotta say, I just came across this tune literally a couple of minutes ago - and I instantly fell in love with her. And Heartbeat.🤘
@astrinchandler1849
Same in America.
@wenitokoni8460
You're correct... But I think some managed to be reckoned with like Asa and Cobhams
@CareyCez
HERE in 2024, such a powerful song