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.
Soul Is Heavy
Nneka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Naija in the loud and roudy of my world
There is a secret place where I find myself
Can I find you Biafra the noise of horns of thirsty Nigerians
Of hustlers of mothers confront me as I walk pass Lagos
In prayer contemplation like a ghost I feel the sorrow of a many
Still I do not know how much pain it takes Naija I walk the island I walk the mainland
I see diversity I smell capacity but still we suffer why
I am the voice of Isaac Boro
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
And I am the spirit of Jaja of Opobo
Fight for right for our freedom
A power hungry class of army arrangements
Stealing money in my country's plight
A soldier pretending to be a politician
You teacher who no nothing do not teach me lies
Naija generators wake from my self pity
No time to waste like okada really hits
Naija for too long we have surrendered
To the ignorance of our self defense in you
We have failed America
How far must we walk in calamity in suppression
How long would take for you to love Naija
As I sit here I want to live
There are so many plans for you but still I can't deliver
I am the voice of Isaac Boro
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
And I am the spirit of Jaja of Opobo
Fight for right for our freedom
A power hungry class of army arrangements
Stealing money in my country's plight
A soldier pretending to be a politician
You teacher who no nothing do not teach me lies
Stealing money steal stealing money in my
Stealing money steal stealing money in my
Stealing money in my country's plight
Stealing money in my country's plight
Great mother my respect for you is in depth
My fear of death for you might kill me
Fallen Lucifer perceive wahala
As we embrace you with change
You stay selfish fundamental
Black Africa we still survive
We still will rise for the world needs us to be America
Hey eey this this soul is heavy the little you have left to me
I charge to function in your madness
I am in your in your madness
I am
I am the voice of Isaac Boro
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
And I am the spirit of Jaja of Opobo
Fight for right for our freedom
A power hungry class of army arrangements
Stealing money in my country's plight
A soldier pretending to be a politician
You teacher who no nothing do not teach me lies
I am the voice of Isaac Boro
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
And I am the spirit of Jaja of Opobo
Fight for right for our freedom
A power hungry class of army arrangements
Stealing money in my country's plight
A soldier pretending to be a politician
A teacher who no nothing do not teach me lies
Nigeria is time for greatness get the independent
You right you make us examples of leaders that executed Saro Wiwa
A teacher who no nothing do not teach me lies
A teacher who no nothing
A teacher who no nothing
A teacher who no nothing
Will make us examples of leaders who executed Saro Wiwa Saro Wiwa Saro Wiwa
The lyrics of Nneka’s song “Soul Is Heavy” expresses her personal and national reflections on Nigeria. The singer begins by acknowledging the loud and raucous nature of Nigeria, which she describes as her “world”. Despite this constant noise, she mentions a “secret place” where she finds herself, and she wonders if she can find her audience there. She then mentions Biafra and Lagos, two significant regions of Nigeria, where she is confronted by the sights and sounds of everyday Nigerians. The mood is somber as she contemplates the sorrows and pains that linger in the air. Nneka then assumes the voice of several political and historical figures, Isaac Boro, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Jaja of Opobo, who fought for freedom and justice in their time. She rebukes the current political class in Nigeria, calling them power-hungry and stealing money meant to alleviate the country’s problems. She echoes the sentiments of many Nigerians who proudly celebrate their country’s potentials but decry its current state of suffering. She then turns to Africa and the world, urging a change that recognizes the value and resilience of Black Africans.
Nneka’s song speaks volumes on the state of Nigeria, and her lyrics reflect the common frustrations and yearnings of her people. The song was released in 2012, a few years after Nigeria’s centenary celebration, where many Nigerians expressed disappointment with the state of the country after 100 years of existence. Nneka’s song covers several themes, including social injustice, corruption, failed leadership, and the hopelessness that many Nigerians feel. She infuses her song with several Nigerian slangs and pidgin English, which add to the song’s authenticity and relatability. The instrumentals follow an Afrobeat style, pioneered by Nigeria’s Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who was outspokenly critical of Nigeria’s leadership. Overall, Nneka’s “Soul Is Heavy” echoes the cries of many Nigerians, who want to see positive change in their country.
Line by Line Meaning
Naija in the loud and roudy of my world
In the chaotic environment of my world, Nigeria stands out
There is a secret place where I find myself
I have a personal space where I retreat to find myself
Can I find you?
Can I find someone who understands me?
Biafra, the noise of horns of thirsty nigerians
The struggle for Biafra is the cry of oppressed Nigerians
Of hustlers, of mothers confront me as I walk pass
I witness the struggles of hardworking people, especially mothers
Lagos, in prayer contemplation, like a ghost
Lagos is a place of spiritual reflection and mourning
I feel the sorrow of a many
I empathize with the pain of many people
Still I do not know how much pain it takes
I cannot fathom the extent of the suffering experienced
Naija, I walk the island, I walk the mainland
I traverse different parts of Nigeria, witnessing its diversity
I see diversity, I smell capacity but still we suffer, why?
Despite the potential and diversity, Nigeria continues to be plagued by suffering
I am, the voice of Isaac Boro
I represent the spirit of Nigerian activist Isaac Boro
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
I speak for the late Nigerian writer and activist Ken Saro Wiwa
I am, the spirit of Jaja of Opobo
I embody the spirit of the prominent Nigerian king and statesman Jaja of Opobo
Fight for right, for our freedom
We must struggle for our rights and freedom
You? A power hungry class of army arrangements
The ruling class is motivated by greed and seeks to maintain power through force
Stealing money in my country's plight
They are embezzling funds intended to improve the country's situation
A soldier pretending to be a politician
Military personnel are masquerading as democratic politicians
You teacher who no nothing do not teach
Education is inadequate and many teachers are poorly trained
Me lies
The truth is often hidden from the people
Naija, generators wake from my self pity
Power outages remind me of my own helplessness
No time to waste like okana, really hits
We cannot afford to waste time like the proverbial hare
Naija, for too long we have surrendered
We have given up our agency for too long
To the ignorance of ourself defense in you
We have failed to protect ourselves from internal threats
We have failed
We have not lived up to our potential as a nation
America, how far must we walk in calamity in suppression
How much longer will we be oppressed and suffer before America takes notice?
How long would take for you to love Naija
When will America show compassion and support for Nigeria?
As I sit here I want to live
Despite the struggles, I still want to live and thrive
There are so many plans for you but still I can't deliver
I have great aspirations for Nigeria, but progress is slow
Stealing money, in my country's plight
They are stealing resources meant to alleviate the country's problems
You're stealing money in my country's plight
You are complicit in the theft of our resources
Great mother my respect for you is in depht
I have deep respect for Nigeria and its collective identity
My fear of death for you might kill me
My love for Nigeria puts me at risk of harm
Fallen Lucifer, perceive wahala
The fallen angel Lucifer understands our struggles and challenges
As we embrace you with change
We must adapt and change to overcome our struggles
You stay selfish fundamental
You prioritize your own interests above those of the people
Black Africa, we still survive
Despite oppression and hardship, Africa and its people persevere
We still will rise for the world needs us to be America?
We must continue to strive and succeed, for the world needs our strength and resilience
This soul is heavy, the little you have left to me
My soul is weighed down by the struggles and poverty of my life
I charge to function in your madness
I am tasked with adapting to and coping with the chaotic and challenging environment
I am in your madness
I am a part of and affected by the madness of Nigeria's struggles
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FARHAD SAMADZADA, NNEKA-LUCIA EGBUNA, TALIB KWELI GREENE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrea Ober
Naija in the loud and roudy of my world
There is a secret place where I find myself,
Can I find you?
Biafra, the noise of horns of thirsty nigerians,
Of hustlers, of mothers confront me as I walk pass
Lagos, in prayer contemplation, like a ghost
I feel the sorrow of a many,
Still I do not know how much pain it takes
Naija, I walk the island, i walk the mainland,
I see diversity, I smell capacity but still we suffer, why?
I am, the voice of Isaac Boro,
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
I am, the spirit of Jaja of Opobo,
Fight for right, for our freedom
You? A power hungry class of army arrangements,
Stealing money in my country's plight
A soldier pretending to be a politician,
You teacher who no nothing do not teach
Me lies
Naija, generators wake from my self pity,
No time to waste like okana, really hits
Naija, for too long we have surrendered
To the ignorance of ourself defense in you
We have failed
America, how far must we walk in calamity in suppression,
How long would take for you to love Naija
As I sit here i want to live,
There are so many plans for you but still I can't deliver
I am, the voice of Isaac Boro,
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
I am, the spirit of Jaja of Opobo,
Fight for right, for our freedom
You? A power hungry class of army arrangements,
Stealing money in my country's plight
A soldier pretending to be a politician,
You teacher who no nothing do not teach
Me lies
Stealing money, in my country's plight
You're stealing money in my country's plight
Great mother my respect for you is in depht
My fear od death for you might kill me
Fallen lucifer, percieve wahala,
As we embrace you with change,
You stay selfish fundamental
Black Africa, we still survive,
We still will rise for the world needs us to be America?
This soul is heavy, the little you have left to me,
I charge to function in your madness
I am... in your madness
I am...
I am, the voice of Isaac Boro,
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
I am, the spirit of Jaja of Opobo,
Fight for right, for our freedom
You? A power hungry class of army arrangements,
Stealing money in my country's plight
A soldier pretending to be a politician,
You teacher who no nothing do not teach
Me lies
Gaia B
Naija in the loud and roudy of my world
there is a secret place where I find myself,
can I find you?
Biafra, the noise of horns of thirsty nigerians,
of hustlers, of mothers confront me as I walk pass
Lagos, in prayer contemplation, like a ghost
I feel the sorrow of a many,
still I do not know how much pain it takes
Naija, I walk the island, I walk the mainland,
I see diversity, I smell capacity but still we suffer, why?
[Chorus]
I am, the voice of Isaac Boro,
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
I am, the spirit of Jaja of Opobo,
fight for right, for our freedom
You? A power hungry class of army arrangements,
stealing money in my country’s plight
A soldier pretending to be a politician,
you teacher who no nothing do not teach
me lies
[Verse 2]
Naija, generators wake from my self pity,
no time to waste like okana, really hits
Naija, for too long we have surrendered
to the ignorance of ourself defense in you
we have failed
America, how far must we walk in calamity in suppression,
how long would take for you to love Naija
As I sit here i want to live,
there are so many plans for you but still I can’t deliver
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
Stealing money, in my country’s plight
You’re stealing money in my country’s plight
[Verse 3]
Great mother my respect for you is in depht
my fear od death for you might kill me
Fallen lucifer, percieve wahala,
as we embrace you with change,
you stay selfish fundamental
Black Africa, we still survive,
we still will rise for the world needs us to be America?
This soul is heavy, the little you have left to me,
I charge to function in your madness
I am… in your madness
Andrea Ober
Naija in the loud and roudy of my world
There is a secret place where I find myself,
Can I find you?
Biafra, the noise of horns of thirsty nigerians,
Of hustlers, of mothers confront me as I walk pass
Lagos, in prayer contemplation, like a ghost
I feel the sorrow of a many,
Still I do not know how much pain it takes
Naija, I walk the island, i walk the mainland,
I see diversity, I smell capacity but still we suffer, why?
I am, the voice of Isaac Boro,
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
I am, the spirit of Jaja of Opobo,
Fight for right, for our freedom
You? A power hungry class of army arrangements,
Stealing money in my country's plight
A soldier pretending to be a politician,
You teacher who no nothing do not teach
Me lies
Naija, generators wake from my self pity,
No time to waste like okana, really hits
Naija, for too long we have surrendered
To the ignorance of ourself defense in you
We have failed
America, how far must we walk in calamity in suppression,
How long would take for you to love Naija
As I sit here i want to live,
There are so many plans for you but still I can't deliver
I am, the voice of Isaac Boro,
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
I am, the spirit of Jaja of Opobo,
Fight for right, for our freedom
You? A power hungry class of army arrangements,
Stealing money in my country's plight
A soldier pretending to be a politician,
You teacher who no nothing do not teach
Me lies
Stealing money, in my country's plight
You're stealing money in my country's plight
Great mother my respect for you is in depht
My fear od death for you might kill me
Fallen lucifer, percieve wahala,
As we embrace you with change,
You stay selfish fundamental
Black Africa, we still survive,
We still will rise for the world needs us to be America?
This soul is heavy, the little you have left to me,
I charge to function in your madness
I am... in your madness
I am...
I am, the voice of Isaac Boro,
I speak Ken Saro Wiwa
I am, the spirit of Jaja of Opobo,
Fight for right, for our freedom
You? A power hungry class of army arrangements,
Stealing money in my country's plight
A soldier pretending to be a politician,
You teacher who no nothing do not teach
Me lies
Mareena Klonaridou
Always and forever my favorite song from nneka specially in a time like this
Marc KALE
Very true ! Nneka is our spiritual guide 🙏🏼
Gods God
My fave song by her is Heartbeat.
Константин Иванов
I must have heard this song a hundred times by now and I still get goosebumps when I hear that first "I am..." Huge song.
Francisca Vasquez
no me puedo cansar de escuchar ésta canción... es muy buena. - Latinoamericana presente c:
franktattoo1
AMO ESSA VOZ E CRIATURA,LOVE
gemfrey23
Love naija!!! Her style, her voice, her music, her lyrics pretty dope!!!
ejbi1
She's am amazing artist!
Oluwanifemi Akinyemi
My favourite track from Nneka ❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥