Njerae, a Kenyan singer-songwriter, has made a notable impact in the African R&B scene just two years after her breakthrough. Known for her soulful melodies and heartfelt storytelling, she continues to capture the hearts of listeners with her music. Her latest project, Four Letter Word, showcases her growth as an artist and reflects her deep connection to themes of love and human interaction.
Njerae’s career took off after the release of her song “Aki Sioni” from her 2022 album Unintentional, which gained widespread attention by the end of 2024. Despite not expecting the song to blow up, she embraced the unexpected success. Reflecting on this, Njerae admitted that she never anticipated “Aki Sioni” to receive so much attention, as it was just one of the many tracks on the album. She confessed that if she knew what made it resonate so much with listeners, she would have tried to recreate that magic in future songs.
The name “Njerae” came about organically when people struggled to pronounce her original name, “Njeri.” The mispronunciation of “Njeri” as “Njerae” eventually became her stage name. Njerae is quick to note that this journey has been an organic one, with her music flowing naturally from her personal experiences and feelings, particularly around love.
Inspired by human connections and emotions, Njerae has delved deeply into the Rhythm and Blues (R&B) genre, driven by a desire to create music that captures the full spectrum of love, not just the cliché aspects. Her music touches on the complexities of relationships, capturing both the beauty and the challenges of love. This personal approach to songwriting is evident in her February release of Four Letter Word, which was perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day. The title of the EP reflects her desire to capture love in a more thoughtful and nuanced way, rather than falling into common tropes.
Njerae’s career reached another milestone in August 2024 when she signed with Universal Music Group East Africa (UMG EA). Initially skeptical, she ultimately accepted the offer, recognizing the significance of the opportunity. She credited her decision to the successful journeys of other artists who had been signed to the label.
Reflecting on Kenya’s music scene, Njerae sees it as a vibrant and dynamic space, full of fresh talent and creativity. She acknowledges the role of the youth in driving this change, with new music constantly emerging from Kenya. Despite the changing landscape, Njerae is always eager to collaborate with other talented Kenyan artists, particularly Bien and Bensoul, both of whom she admires.
Her admiration for other African artists extends to Tems, whom she considers a major influence. Njerae believes that Tems’ music resonates deeply with her, particularly because they share similar musical styles—soulful, chill, and drama-free. She draws a parallel between Tems’ sound and that of Adele, but with an African touch and groove that makes it unique.
Finally, Njerae addressed rumors about her relationship with fellow artist Mordecai. She clarified that they are not romantically involved, despite the speculation that arose from behind-the-scenes photos taken during the music video shoot for their collaboration on the song “Beg For It.” The two are simply friends who happened to work together on a project.
With her heartfelt music and growing influence, Njerae’s journey in the African music scene is just beginning, and fans can expect even more from the talented Kenyan artist in the future.
