Njerae’s music journey – Oktobafest showcases her growth, resilience, and authenticity as she connects deeply with Kenyan audiences.
This past weekend, my colleagues and I were thrilled to attend the Nanyuki edition of the Tusker Oktobafest – a weekend of music and connection with a great artiste lineup and a well hyped audience.
Tusker Oktobafest is now in its sixth edition and over the years, it has grown into a signature cultural festival celebrating Kenyan creativity through music, good beer, food, and friendship. Every year except 2020 dues to Covid restrictions, the event has brought together people to enjoy authentic experiences that reflect the Kenyan shared identity.
This year was no different and Nanyuki was filled with that same energy. It was here that I sat down with musician Njerae for a conversation about her journey through music and what fans can look forward to from her in the near future.
Here is her story.
Njerae grew up in Mombasa before moving to Nairobi to pursue a doube major in Psychology, while at the same time studying music at the Sauti Academy. As much as she’s quite successful now, it has not been an easy journey and she remembers a time when she was doing her own styling and makeup for performances.
She remembers the financial constraints, initial lack of connections and how challenging it was to navigate the industry as a newcomer. She however never doubted her path since music has always been calling. Even at the low moments, she knew that these are the shoes she’s supposed to wear. So rooted is she in her music that by the time she was clearing high school, she already knew music was her future, even though many people did not understand how she planned to make it work. That clarity of thought shaped her early career and gave her a clear sense of self.
Njerae admits that her journey is full of daily pressure, though this has never made her waver. If anything, she views the pressure as a necessary part of growth since it keeps her grounded and focused.
The calm and confident Njerae is quite emotional in her music and when I asked her about that, she shared that around 70% of her music is actually from personal experiences, while the rest is drawn from stories of people close to her.
Has she ever hesitated to release a song because it was too personal? No. Those are actually the best ones. Practice and production for those kind of songs flow more naturally since they come from a place of honesty. She believes that when a music comes from your truth, it finds its audience naturally.
Where did she draw inspiration from?
Her greatest inspiration came from Phy who was actually in the audience in Nanyuki. Like many other artistes, she also looked up to Sauti Sol, who she says have opened doors and inspired many musicians to believe in Kenyan sound.
Njerae shared that she has faced some pressure to alter her music to fit current trends, but she tries to stay true to her own voice while experimenting with new sounds. When she’s not performing, she describes herself as an introvert who prefers quiet time with close friends. On stage, though, she is confident and free.
Is there new music in the works?
Yes! Though she could not disclose too much information yet. She however promises that it will be worth the wait for her fans. Until then, follow her on her socials, stream her songs, share and keep supporting Kenyan voices!
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