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.
Stand Strong
Nneka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It goes to my ears and my bones
It's a funny feeling that comes over me and stays, you know
In such moments I'm reminded that the gift of life is life itself
If you can ask god to help you you still got to help yourself
Cuz life ain't a bed of roses, be real
Just like the taken man minds of Moses
Refrain
Be strong
Go on
See we won't divide see we multiply!
Hold on
Be strong
Just go on
See we multiply see we won't divide!
There are complications that may occur
You may reach the highest level of confusion
Your life ain't exclused in them different stations
And before you may rise you may live you may cry sometimes you may even think you will die but
There's a perseverances character
And the character you get from endurance it gives you
A perseverances character
And the character you get from endurance it gives you
Refrain
Sometimes you feel
You're not at ease
So confused
You don't know
At times it's so, so much alone
But put your achievements together
And you should know
Refrain
The lyrics of Nneka's song "Stand Strong" reflect on the challenges of life and provide a message of perseverance and strength in the face of difficulty. The song begins with the singer contemplating the melody of life in moments of darkness, acknowledging that life is not always easy and can be a challenge. She encourages the listener to recognize the value of life itself and to seek help from God while also putting in the effort to help themselves.
The chorus of the song repeats the refrain "Hold on, be strong, go on, see we won't divide, see we multiply!" The lyrics suggest a message of community and togetherness, where people can draw strength from one another and overcome obstacles together. The second verse acknowledges that complications and confusion may arise in life, but perseverance and endurance build character and can help one rise above the challenges.
The final verse acknowledges that sometimes it can feel isolating and overwhelming, but the singer encourages the listener to reflect on their past achievements and use them as a source of strength. Overall, the song provides a message of hope and resilience in the face of challenging circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
In the darkness I listen to the melody that life plays
During difficult times, I listen to the rhythm of life that surrounds me.
It goes to my ears and my bones
The rhythm of life affects me to my very core.
It's a funny feeling that comes over me and stays, you know
The feeling is strange, but it stays with me even after the music has stopped.
In such moments I'm reminded that the gift of life is life itself
During these moments, I am reminded that life is a precious gift and should be cherished.
If you can ask god to help you you still got to help yourself
Even with divine help, you still need to put in effort to overcome challenges.
Cuz life ain't a bed of roses, be real
Life is not always easy and it's important to face reality.
Just like the taken man minds of Moses
Just as Moses struggled with the burden of his responsibilities, we too may face difficulties in life.
Hold on
Hang in there.
Be strong
Be resilient.
Go on
Keep moving forward.
See we won't divide see we multiply!
Together we are stronger and can accomplish more.
There are complications that may occur
Life can be full of unexpected complications.
You may reach the highest level of confusion
You may feel completely lost and confused at times.
Your life ain't exclused in them different stations
No matter your background or circumstances, life can still be difficult.
And before you may rise you may live you may cry sometimes you may even think you will die but
Before reaching success, there may be pain, tears, and moments of despair.
There's a perseverances character
Perseverance can shape your character.
And the character you get from endurance it gives you
Endurance can help build your character.
Sometimes you feel
At times, you may experience.
You're not at ease
You may feel uneasy or uncomfortable.
So confused
Overwhelmed with confusion.
You don't know
Uncertain what to do.
At times it's so, so much alone
Sometimes it can be incredibly lonely.
But put your achievements together
Remember your accomplishments.
And you should know
That you are capable of overcoming challenges.
Contributed by Makayla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@abbyhoxworth9012
In the darkness I listen to the melody that life plays
It goes to my ears and my bones
It's a funny feeling that comes over me and stays, you know
In such moments I'm reminded that the gift of life is life itself.
If you can ask God to help you
you still got to help yourself
Cuz life it ain't a bed of roses, be aware
Just like the ten commandments of Moses
Chorus:
Hold on
Be strong
Go on
See we won't divide see we multiply
Hold on
Be strong
Just go on
See we multiply see we won't divide
There are complications that may occur
You may reach the highest level of confusion
Your life it includes many different stations
And before you may rise, you may laugh you may cry
Sometimes you may even think you will die but
Perseverance is character
And the character you get from endurance
It gives you hope
Yeah perseverance is character
And the character you get from endurance
it gives you hope
Chorus
Sometimes you feel
You're not at ease
You’re so confused
You don't know
At times you’re so, so much alone
But put your achievements together
You should know
Chorus x2
Hold on
Be strong
Go on
See we won't divide see we multiply
Hold on
Be strong
Just go on
See we multiply
@jonas33428
Music who go straight into your heart and soul. Real Music!
@mlkboogie8172
Great song from an Amazing artist!
God bless her❤
@63valiS
She's so special, so made of feelings ... Her voice sounds like a fluttering flag on the top of a mountain, like the wind among the stars... Or simply, like a symphony - the blue harmony of sounds...
@anissaberkhala3727
love at the first listening ! i love her voice, and think that she'll make me love soul music !
@Catbuttttt
i am officially the happiest person in the world right now....discovered her like an hr ago, love her and now i own her albummm!! yaay...glad that music like this still exists!! :) God bless u Nneka!! :D
@abbyhoxworth9012
In the darkness I listen to the melody that life plays
It goes to my ears and my bones
It's a funny feeling that comes over me and stays, you know
In such moments I'm reminded that the gift of life is life itself.
If you can ask God to help you
you still got to help yourself
Cuz life it ain't a bed of roses, be aware
Just like the ten commandments of Moses
Chorus:
Hold on
Be strong
Go on
See we won't divide see we multiply
Hold on
Be strong
Just go on
See we multiply see we won't divide
There are complications that may occur
You may reach the highest level of confusion
Your life it includes many different stations
And before you may rise, you may laugh you may cry
Sometimes you may even think you will die but
Perseverance is character
And the character you get from endurance
It gives you hope
Yeah perseverance is character
And the character you get from endurance
it gives you hope
Chorus
Sometimes you feel
You're not at ease
You’re so confused
You don't know
At times you’re so, so much alone
But put your achievements together
You should know
Chorus x2
Hold on
Be strong
Go on
See we won't divide see we multiply
Hold on
Be strong
Just go on
See we multiply
@abbyhoxworth9012
Correct lyrics
@Shelxx75
<3
@TheMorenita1801
i discovered her today :O omg im in love downloading everything this is the singer i was waiting for <3
@DatboiR0b
The soul of Africa converted into song. Beautiful!