As the world celebrates International Women’s Day this weekend, music has been a platform for female artistes to express themselves and create their impact on society.
The current generation of female artistes is bold, competitive and laser-focused on their careers.
It has taken that kind of resilience and determination to put a young Kenyan singer, songwriter and guitarist on the threshold of international success.
Njerae (Her pseudonym pokes fun at the mispronunciation of her official name Njeri Mwengi) has been named as an Apple Music Africa Rising Star 2025, the platform that was a launching pad for the careers of Afropop stars like Omar Lay, Rema, Ayra Starr Amarae and Nikita Kering.
This comes barely six months after she signed a deal with the world’s biggest music label, Universal Music Group.
Quite an achievement for one who started singing as a little girl and participated in the Kenya Music Festivals while in high school. She then joined the Sauti Academy, the talent incubator founded by Sauti Sol, for professional training, learning the business of music, and building networks in the industry.
“I was able to find my voice because I didn’t want to be just another singer in the bracket of artistes that sound the same,” says the artiste.
Njerae studied psychology at the University of Nairobi because in her words, “going to university to acquire a degree was just the thing you did after school.”
The knowledge of psychology however has also enabled the self-described introvert to relate better with people and write songs with a clearer understanding of human nature.
“I long for the day that we can offer music therapy to Kenyans during times of stress,” she says.
During the interview with BDLife this week just after a rehearsal for an upcoming performance, Njerae struck a very measured tone about the flurry of her success: “Rome was not built in a day.
Sauti Sol had been in the business for more than a decade before they became international stars. My journey in music is just getting started.”
Her debut album Unintentional released in 2022 was, as the title suggests, spontaneous.
“It was nothing planned, I was just recording a bunch of songs that I had written and been performing at shows and so I wanted to make them available without fans having to wait for a performance.”
“The advantage of having a deal with a major label like Universal is that I am free from doing what I call unnecessary things. By this I mean, posting on social media, or editing videos. I can focus on writing music and dream as big as I can, without the constraints that would otherwise be holding me back.”
Being named among the Africa Rising Class of 2025 by Apple Music gives her an international exposure that artistes can only dream of.
“I am honoured and super proud that this small girl is carrying the Kenyan flag high. I am now getting Direct Messages on social media from random places like the Netherlands.”
She has described her selection for the programme that was launched in 2020 to identify, showcase and elevate rising talent across Africa, as a pivotal moment for the creative community in Kenya.
“We must drop the victim mentality and I hope I am the person to show everyone that all things are possible, to empower people’s minds and hearts."
According to Njerae, female artistes face barriers and prejudice every day, but the narrative must change from victimhood to confidence and resilience.
“Keep pushing, never give up and stay focused on your ultimate goal. There are many talented women but they are afraid. I am telling you who is holding back that you must come out of that shell and express yourself.”
Her latest EP Four Letter Word, combining Njerae’s smooth vocal delivery and edgy urban rhythms, was intentionally released on Valentine’s Day this year.
“I am Kenya’s lover girl,” she says. “I didn’t just want to talk about love in a cliched way but rather the cycle of a relationship, from liking someone, falling in love, being in love, and at the end you might hate that person."
The tone of the song is that of an emancipated woman saying, “this is how it is, take it or leave it.”
Despite its title Fight for You, was written from an empowered space and that is why she calls it as the hardest song to write on the album.
Beg for It describes the ‘craving, insane stage’ in a relationship, Hypnotise is about how the tiniest things, like someone eyes, can be spellbinding.
Njerae collaborated with producer Vic West for the track Decide, written during the phase when a relationship is hanging by a thread due to a communication breakdown.
Njerae’s music has been racking up millions of streams on streaming platforms but she cautions that artistes should not expect instant rewards from digital platforms.
“If you want to make quick cash then you will be broke. But if you take the long view, then your streams will ultimately be very rewarding.”
Njerae will perform on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2025 at the Bustani Gardens, Limuru Road from 12 pm.
