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.
Shining Star
Nneka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mind
In this madness in this world
With its swiftness and its coldness
You’re my peace of mind yes
When the world just keeps turning
And I know not where to head to
You’re peace of mind
Is the one you created
Nothing melts the sky out
But your everlasting love uh uh uh
Oh oh oh oh shining star
Please look down for me
Oh what you are
When you look down at me
Beautiful star
Do keep your eyes on me
Oh oh oh oh what you are
Umm when you look down on me
Its 'bout my greed you they want to chase me
Each time your heart strict do you love me
I appreciate you baby
And though you seem so far away ey you pursue me I can feel you
But that did well within my mind
And I know you’re sometimes lonely
Oh I wish that I could change it
Oh then I know is you who got me
And I pray my love will give you life
To help your breathe to give your smile
You’re my shining star to take my love and live e-e-e-e
Oh-o-o shining star
Please look down for me
Oh what you are
When you look down at me
With you-u-u-u-u- ha ha I feel hot
When you u-u-u place your light on me
I feel warm ooh
Oh oh oh oh shining star
Please look down for me
Oh what you are
When you look down at me
Beautiful star
Do keep your eyes on me
Oh oh oh oh what you are
Umm when you look down on me
Hey
Make a smile I sm-i-i-i-l-l-e
Where you live I live
Where you die I die
Oh oh yeah
You-u-u-u
Uh I’m a shining star ah
I wonder what you are
Oh oh oh oh shining star
Please look down for me
Oh what you are
When you look down at me
With you-u-u-u-u- ha ha I feel hot
When you-u-u place your light on me
I feel warm ooh
Oh oh oh oh shining star
Please look down for me
Oh what you are
When you look down at me
Beautiful star
Do keep your eyes on me
Oh oh oh oh what you are
Umm when you look down on me heyy
Make a smile I sm-i-i-i-le
Where you live I live
Where you die I die
Oh oh yeah
You-u-u-u
Uh I’m a shining star ah
Oh I wonder what you are
The song Shining Star by Nigerian-German artist Nneka talks about finding peace of mind amidst the chaos and challenges of life. The lyrics express the singer's gratitude to a higher power for being her shining star and giving her strength to face the difficulties in life. She talks about the world's swiftness and coldness, portraying it as a place of madness. The singer finds solace in the skies that the shining star created; the sky is a symbol of the bigger picture, where all things come together, and nothing can melt it away, except for the everlasting love of the shining star.
The song also expresses a sense of longing for the shining star to look down on the singer, bless her with its light, and give her warmth. Moreover, the lyrics show that the singer appreciates the things given to her and wishes she could change things for the one who got her. She also talks about her love giving life and helping to breathe while giving a smile to the one who got her.
Overall, the song celebrates the hope, gratitude, and faith that the shining star gives to the singer. It talks about finding meaning, hope, and peace in a world full of madness and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Mind
Acknowledging the importance of finding inner peace in a chaotic world.
In this madness in this world
Recognizing the prevalence of madness in the world.
With its swiftness and its coldness
Describing the world as fast-paced and heartless.
You’re my peace of mind yes
Affirming that personal peace can be found in a relationship.
When the world just keeps turning
Acknowledging the world’s constant state of change.
And I know not where to head to
Expressing confusion and uncertainty about the future.
You’re peace of mind
Reaffirming that a relationship can bring peace of mind.
And when I look up in the skies
Reflecting on the beauty of the sky.
Is the one you created
Attributing the beauty of the sky to a higher power.
Nothing melts the sky out
Admiring the constancy of the sky’s beauty.
But your everlasting love uh uh uh
Praising the enduring nature of love.
Oh oh oh oh shining star
Expressing admiration for an individual.
Please look down for me
Asking for attention and affection.
Oh what you are
Acknowledging the person’s positive qualities.
When you look down at me
Reiterating the desire for attention and affection.
Beautiful star
Praising the individual’s beauty and brilliance.
Do keep your eyes on me
Repeating the request for attention.
Umm when you look down on me
Emphasizing the desire for attention and affection.
Its 'bout my greed you they want to chase me
Acknowledging that others may pursue her for her success.
Each time your heart strict do you love me
Questioning the person’s feelings for her.
I appreciate you baby
Expressing gratitude for the person’s presence in her life.
And though you seem so far away ey you pursue me I can feel you
Acknowledging distance between them, but recognizing that the person still cares.
But that did well within my mind
Reflecting on personal thoughts and feelings.
And I know you’re sometimes lonely
Recognizing that the person may be lonely at times.
Oh I wish that I could change it
Expressing empathy for the person’s loneliness.
Oh then I know is you who got me
Acknowledging the person’s support and care.
And I pray my love will give you life
Expressing the desire for her love to positively impact the person's life.
To help your breathe to give your smile
Desiring to bring joy and happiness to the person.
You’re my shining star to take my love and live e-e-e-e
Affirming the importance of the person in her life.
With you-u-u-u-u- ha ha I feel hot
Describing the emotional warmth she feels around the person.
When you u-u-u place your light on me
Feeling special and valued when the person pays attention to her.
Make a smile I sm-i-i-i-l-l-e
Encouraging herself to smile.
Where you live I live
Expressing devotion to the person.
Where you die I die
Affirming that their lives are connected.
Uh I’m a shining star ah
Expressing her confidence and self-worth.
Oh I wonder what you are
Expressing curiosity about the person.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Farhad Samadzada, Nneka Lucia Egbuna, Serigne M'Baye Gucye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@itsasoguembenovoa1188
In this madness, in this world,
With its swiftness and its coldness
You’re my peace of mind, yes!
When the world just jeeps turning
And I know not where to head to
You’re peace of mind!
And when I look up in the skies
Is the one that you created.
Oh shining star, please look down for me!
Oh, what you are?
When you look down at me
Beautiful star, do keep your eyes on me!
Oh, oh, what you are
When you look down on me?
Greed your heart strict, love me
I appreciate you baby!
And though you seem so far away
You pursuit me I can feel you
? within my mind
And I know you’re sometimes lonely
Oh, I wish that I could change it,
Oh then I know you still got me
And I pray my love will give you life
? to keep you smile
You’re my shining star, to take my love and live!
Oh shining star, please look down for me!
Oh, what you are?
When you look down at me
Beautiful star, do keep your eyes on me!
Oh, oh, what you are
When you look down on me?
Oh shining star, please look down for me!
Oh, what you are?
When you look down at me
Beautiful star, do keep your eyes on me!
Oh, oh, what you are
When you look down on me?
Where you smile I smile,
Where you live I live,
Where you die, I die!
Oh, yeah! You!
I’m a shining star, oh I wonder what you are?
@duchesstyra
Oh Nneka, I can’t believe it’s been 10 years this song still gives me the same feeling
I named my daughter Nneka ❤🇿🇦
@johnsonanum
It is a beautiful name. There was a great African storyteller called Chinua Achebe. He explained the name "Nneka" in his novel Things Fall Apart.
@raydivine
I've come back to this song after 10 years so glad I found her again.
@GrootManEiniqua
Much love from South Africa
@timmax8
the sad point about the musicindustry is, that they only support the ones who are making much profit, there's always the same kind of music in the charts and expensiv music videos, but you'd never hear a such fantastic song on the radio... they'd never enter the risk to support this kind of music or a singer who isn't that famous, only because they're too scared to make a loss... i hope this won't be forever
@lobsterdeedanster8292
2024 and it's still has the same effect on me 😢. It's remains a Classic. As House Music Fanatic I want to Thank
Joe Goddard for introducing us to Nneka ❤️ she's truly a Shining Star 🌟
@unconditionallove5628
Another South African here. Love your music Empress
@amiltonfogaca9579
God, I am in the middle of a separation from my wife and I am so far away from my two children. This music really helps me go throu the day. Thanks. You are my Peace of mind.
@earnestkornaar1001
I hope it all worked out well with your loved ones brother.
@mazdaprotege5741
Everything will be okay bro.... I' am aslo suffering from a heartbreak... I miss her so much but she seems happier without me 😢