Kenyan Singer-Songwriter Recognized in the "Underground Artist of the Year" Category
On the heels of a trail-blazing year, Afro-Indie sensation Njerae has earned a nomination for the Africa Choice Awards. In the highly competitive "Underground Artist of the Year" category, Njerae will face Chirose (Nigeria), Moliy (Ghana), Andrea Fortuin (South Africa), Gdzilla (Nigeria), Taves (Nigeria), Smada (Nigeria), Tariq (Nigeria), Raebel (Nigeria) and tg.blk (Kenya). This will be the ACA’s sixth edition with voting officially live through HERE.
This recognition celebrates Njerae's unique sound, lyrical prowess, and dedication to representing Africa’s rich culture through her music.
“This nomination came as such a surprise—I wasn’t expecting it at all. I’m so honored to be nominated alongside such outstanding artists. It’s a stamp that it’s truly #mwakawanjerae” Njerae shares.
In the past year, Njerae’s records “OTD” and “Aki Sioni” have accumulated up to over 2,000,000 streams across all platforms. The latter has eclipsed over 10,000 all time Shazam’s and stayed afloat on Kenya’s Top 100 Kenyan charts for well over two years speaking to the longevity of her music. Her album ‘Unintentional’ has also been an indomitable force maintaining its staying power on the charts remaining Top 50 two years on revealing her timelessness and dexterity in capturing music that can stand the test of time.
“I have to thank God, team and my fans. I will celebrate if I win and it’s back to the studio to do what I love, which is making music and making people happy through that” Njerae reveals.
Njerae’s musical journey, characterized by soulful melodies and authentic African beats, has captivated fans not only in Kenya but across the continent. Her Afro-Indie sound is a blend of folk, afrobeats, and modern indie influences, creating a distinctive sonic identity that resonates with a diverse audience. Her nomination is a testament to her hard work, innovation, and the growing influence of African indie music on the global stage.
"I am beyond humbled and excited to be nominated for such a prestigious award," said Njerae. "This recognition means so much to me, and it's proof that African music in all its forms is being celebrated and appreciated. I’m thankful for the support from my fans, and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey of self-expression through my music."
The Africa Choice Awards celebrates African talent in music, film, and culture, with nominees selected from across the continent. The awards ceremony will take place in December in Lagos, Nigeria and fans can vote for their favorite artists via the official awards platform.
About Njerae
Njerae is a singer, songwriter, and producer from Kenya. Her music is Afro-Indie with a touch of R&B and soul. She has played at Folk Fusion, Jamhuri Jam Sessions, Gig Dynamics Open House, and several of her own curated events.
Njerae has obtained her bachelor's degree in psychology and hopes to one day open a counseling center where music will be used as a form of therapy. She has equipped herself with skills in live music performance and being a music entrepreneur as a graduate of the perform music incubator.
Through her 2022 album unintentional it allowed her fans to interpret it as a girl’s handbook when going through a breakup, which allowed more female fans to relate with her. The album allowed her to be featured in several radio and TV shows.
Taking a more significant step toward modern R&B and contemporary Afro-pop sounds, Njerae released her singles “OTD” and “Valhalla” in 2023, opening huge doors for her in the music business.
In 2024, Njerae released her EP, ‘Out with the old,’ on which she collaborated with artists like Watendawili, Lisa Odour, Mbithi and Maali.
In August 2024, she headlined her show and launched the Out With The Old EP, featuring Maali, Mbithi, Hilda Watiri, Analo Kanga, Lisa Oduor-Noah, and The Unit Band. This was a major milestone and a stepping stone to advance her career. It is only up to her from now on.
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