by Linda Ikeji
With a name as iconic as the culture she represents, MARENIKAE is the embodiment of West African pride and culture, fused with the glamour and sophistication of a bygone golden age.Statuesque Nigerian singer/songwriter is beyond multi-talented with current projects ranging from music, to art to fashion. When asked how she manages to juggle multiple pursuits she suggests never being told she was limited. MARENIKAE grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and recalls writing songs,creating arrangements and layering complex melodies as early as age fourteen. Her approach to songwriting stemmed from a fascination with spoken word and attending numerous poetry and writing workshops.
MARENIKAE credits listening to great orators as the key to perfecting her songwriting skills. She discovered the melodic timing in spoken word resembled her natural writing style and translated to the melodies she discovered in song. Growing up MARENIKAE was exposed to various types of music and cites a myriad of artists as influences; from Nigerian artists like 9ice, styl-plus, Dare Art-Alade,fela and plantashun boys all the way to the Backstreet Boys, Freddie Mercury, Daughtry, Dwele and Raheem Devaughn.
Throughout her teen years she worked to create a signature sound relying heavily on neo-soul and afro-pop music. The end result is AFROMERGE a perfect blend of her beloved Nigerian Rhythms and neo soul with electronic and AC nuances throughout laced with a whole lot of attitude. Watch visuals to her single titled VYBZ: https://youtu.be/TAgZFrS5jO0
Audio available here:
