Wednesday, 18th December 2024
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Meet Kehne, Afrobeats rising songbird

“Biri o/ Biri Kam Mbiri,” her soulful chants usher in the song. “Bia”, her opening release for the year, and second official release as Kehne, is a powerful addition to Nigeria’s pop library. The folk-leaning sombre pop track is a diet of indigenous sonics and artsy engineering, leaving a message of hope in the song,…

“Biri o/ Biri Kam Mbiri,” her soulful chants usher in the song. “Bia”, her opening release for the year, and second official release as Kehne, is a powerful addition to Nigeria’s pop library.

The folk-leaning sombre pop track is a diet of indigenous sonics and artsy engineering, leaving a message of hope in the song, with high replay value among pop lovers.

Born Kenechukwu Offiah, Kehne’s debut opus, “Freedom”, first showcased her versatility, especially with the reggaeton influences that encircles the song. With human-interest and African themes sharpening her sonics and lyricism, Kehne’s already making a buzz across the neo-pop/soul scenes as a powerhouse.

In conversation with Guardian Music, the young musician and creative entrepreneur explores her sonic-world, beginning from her earliest steps as a musician to her latest record, “Bia”; her creative process; strongest early influences; and why ‘Afro-hypnotism’ might just be a good way to encapsulate her vision with her music.

Tell us how you sojourned into music
I don’t remember the exact time I decided that music is what I want to do. I’ve just always either listened, sang along or danced to music. I’ll put earphones in and just disappear. In my head, I’m on the biggest stage performing. It helped me escape, helped me figure out my emotions, etc. I had this book in secondary school and I used to write songs in it and then perform the songs for my friends when I go back to school. I remember trying to form a girl group with some of my friends then. It was the funniest thing. My mum said when I was little I would dance/perform for my aunties and the people that came around to visit so it has always been there. My whole life, I’ve known that this was something I wanted to do.

Why did you choose the name Kehne?
My parents chose the name so you’re going to have to ask them that. My name is Kenechukwu, people call me kehne. It just came from that.

What would you describe your music as?
Every song I do feels a different way so I can’t tell you what my music feels like. It is hypnotic music but it’s going to make you feel different things depending on what song you are listening to. Some songs feel like you’re falling in love but fighting against it, others feel like you are floating, others feel like it’s past midnight and you’re drinking wine and dancing on a rooftop with someone you really like, some songs feel like you’re trying to put a few people in their place. It’s generally feel-good music but they’re all going to give you different things to feel good about. I met someone recently and she said it’s Afro – hypnotism, maybe that’s it ha-ha!

Have you worked on any recent project?
Yes, I just released a song. It is called “BIA”.

What’s the core message in the project?
It’s mostly about facing everything you fear. It’s saying I’m not running, I’m not afraid, I’ve got God, I’m okay.

What are your biggest music influences?
I love artists that make me feel something. I need to feel like my heart is racing. So, Toni Braxton, Micheal Jackson, Celine Dion, Rihanna, Luther vandross (I’m obsessed with the texture of his voice), Sean Paul, Beenie man, Diana King. This list is going to be too long!

What do you look out for in collaborating with others?
I really don’t know. I feel like the best music is made from a place of vulnerability, from a place where there’s no judgement or tension about making a hit so I would want to collaborate with people I just have great chemistry with musically. If we vibe and the energy is right, I’m ready.

What is your creative process?
It depends. A lot of the songs I’ve written – I’ll have a melody in my head and then write the whole song out, whenever I get to the studio, my producer and I create the beat etc, other times you hear a beat and then vibe. It’s as the spirit leads!

What do you do when you’re not making music?
Fashion! I design clothes. When I’m not doing music, I’m putting some clothes together. My fashion line is called mushion.

What’s the vision for your career?
More music, more visibility, a bigger platform. I want to be one of the biggest artists to come out of Africa.

What’s next for you?
I want my music heard globally. I also want to be in the fashion industry and create my own pieces, whether I’m partnering with some company or creating my own line.

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