Nneka - Victim Of Truth

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Album Track Listing

Nneka :
Victim Of Truth

Release Date:

Reviewed By: Ashley Charles

1. Intro

2. Stand Strong

3. The Uncomfortable Truth

4. Beautiful

5. Africans

6. Quit

7. Changes

8. Material Things

9. Burning Bush (Everybody)

10. Confession

11. Showin' Love

12. Warrior

13. In Charge

14. Make Me Strong (Interlude)

15. God Of Mercy

16. Your Request

Van Hunt - On The Jungle Floor
Read Review

Nneka is a name which will ring few if any bells; her debut offering comes in the form of ‘Victim of Truth’, a dynamically constructed album which should propel the Nigerian export into the Western mainstream in the not too distant future.

Nneka is an artist who refuses to be pigeon-holed. Just as you attempt to define her she distorts convention with her innovative and ever changing execution. This album epitomises the notion of eclecticism selecting from styles as varied as Jazz, Reggae and Indie Rock.

On ‘Changes’ she draws on the Trip-Hop genre created by Massive Attack on their ground-breaking album ‘Mezzanine’. When hearing her smooth vocals over this track for the first time, the sound indeed seems incongruent and misplaced, but it is this very dichotomy that defines Nneka’s hybrid upbringing, born in Africa - raised in Germany. The album’s many disparities are in this sense fitting.

On ‘The Uncomfortable Truth’, the album’s lead track, she expresses her genuine concerns with a conscious severity that sites the relevance of her self-proclaimed influences Talib Kweli and Mos Def. Similarly on ‘Africans’, she addresses the damning conditions in her native country with an inspirational guidance that liberates her home audience from oppression and self-pity. Her hypnotic cries of “Learn from pain... wake up world” offer an optimistic message that is very characteristic of this wilful and reflective album.

On ‘Showin’ Love’, Nneka showcases her capability as a credible rapper, oscillating between singer and lyricist with a flow as comfortable and effortless over hip-hop beats as Lauryn Hill’s.

This LP is one which at times falls into the unfortunate trap of album fillers with a few disappointing skippable efforts that fall short and are at best forgettable. But, on the up tempo ‘Burning Bush (Everybody)’ and the percussion driven ‘Beautiful’, Nneka is at her best.

Her native pronunciation adds character to the album in its entirety and ensures that you will not forget her in a hurry.

‘Victim of Truth’ is not like anything you’ve ever heard before. A great deal is owed to the experimental production of Farhad Samazda and DJ Farhot who employ use of sitars, African bongo drums, grand piano and Hip-Hop scratches to manifest an original sound that knows no boundaries.

‘Victim of Truth’ is a musical journey which, if you have to label it, can be loosely defined as Hip-Hop Soul with twist, after twist, after twist. The question now is whether the masses are ready for a sound as different as Nneka’s.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Top three tracks:
4) Beautiful
9) Burning Bush (Everybody)
11) Showin’ Love

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Album Track Listing	Nneka : Victim Of Truth Release Date: Reviewed By: Ashley Charles
1. Intro 2. Stand Strong 3. The Uncomfortable Truth 4. Beautiful 5. Africans 6. Quit 7. Changes 8. Material Things 9. Burning Bush (Everybody) 10. Confession 11. Showin' Love 12. Warrior 13. In Charge 14. Make Me Strong (Interlude) 15. God Of Mercy 16. Your Request Van Hunt - On The Jungle Floor Read Review

		Nneka is a name which will ring few if any bells; her debut offering comes in the form of ‘Victim of Truth’, a dynamically constructed album which should propel the Nigerian export into the Western mainstream in the not too distant future. Nneka is an artist who refuses to be pigeon-holed. Just as you attempt to define her she distorts convention with her innovative and ever changing execution. This album epitomises the notion of eclecticism selecting from styles as varied as Jazz, Reggae and Indie Rock. On ‘Changes’ she draws on the Trip-Hop genre created by Massive Attack on their ground-breaking album ‘Mezzanine’. When hearing her smooth vocals over this track for the first time, the sound indeed seems incongruent and misplaced, but it is this very dichotomy that defines Nneka’s hybrid upbringing, born in Africa - raised in Germany. The album’s many disparities are in this sense fitting. On ‘The Uncomfortable Truth’, the album’s lead track, she expresses her genuine concerns with a conscious severity that sites the relevance of her self-proclaimed influences Talib Kweli and Mos Def. Similarly on ‘Africans’, she addresses the damning conditions in her native country with an inspirational guidance that liberates her home audience from oppression and self-pity. Her hypnotic cries of “Learn from pain... wake up world” offer an optimistic message that is very characteristic of this wilful and reflective album. On ‘Showin’ Love’, Nneka showcases her capability as a credible rapper, oscillating between singer and lyricist with a flow as comfortable and effortless over hip-hop beats as Lauryn Hill’s. This LP is one which at times falls into the unfortunate trap of album fillers with a few disappointing skippable efforts that fall short and are at best forgettable. But, on the up tempo ‘Burning Bush (Everybody)’ and the percussion driven ‘Beautiful’, Nneka is at her best. Her native pronunciation adds character to the album in its entirety and ensures that you will not forget her in a hurry. ‘Victim of Truth’ is not like anything you’ve ever heard before. A great deal is owed to the experimental production of Farhad Samazda and DJ Farhot who employ use of sitars, African bongo drums, grand piano and Hip-Hop scratches to manifest an original sound that knows no boundaries. ‘Victim of Truth’ is a musical journey which, if you have to label it, can be loosely defined as Hip-Hop Soul with twist, after twist, after twist. The question now is whether the masses are ready for a sound as different as Nneka’s. Rating: 3 out of 5 Top three tracks: 4) Beautiful 9) Burning Bush (Everybody) 11) Showin’ Love Return to Latest Reviews or select review by artist or Soundtrack, A-Z. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z