Exclusive Interview with Kenah

With the release of her new project, ‘3:05 Musing’, we got the opportunity to speak with Kenah. From her inspirations to what tracks she discovered during Lockdown, we got it all.

Who is Kenah?

I am a singer and songwriter who is currently completing a bachelors degree in theatre arts at the University of Abuja. If I were to describe myself with one word, it would be Survivor. 

I consider myself a survivor because I grew up with a lot of self-doubt and personal issues that weighed heavily on me. I never had the courage or desire to put myself out there. I had friends with similar struggles, and some ended their lives while others went down very dark paths. 

What helped me navigate the dark times was my family; they helped move me along through most of the struggles I faced. Another experience that added to the complexity of my upbringing was that I moved around a lot, having to stay with various family members In each of these environments, I had to be a different person. 

All in all, I was constantly asking myself who is Kenah. This was until I discovered my voice which gave me a sense of identity. Every time I write, create, or sing, I feel drawn to my actual self, which is my happy place. 

What five words best describe your sound?

• Spiritual – because my sound is the kind of sound that transports you to your happy place or zone. This is because it combines careful lyrical writing, layered with sweet melodic and soothing sounds for the heart.
• Vibes – because my sound is groovy. It takes you back to a time where music was very positive and uplifting.
• Passion – because my lyrics are raw, and they birth experiences that have been incubated in the deepest parts of my heart
• Love – because when I sing about love, I make sure I don’t just sing about it. I must feel it first to deliver it well.
• Happiness – because I always have my audience in mind. I put melody in every note to bring the listener along the journey of the story being told.

What were the influences that carried you to create such as an EP?
I wanted my EP to be like a painting with different colours coming together to create an artistic masterpiece – this is what 3:05 Musing is all about. It’s a combination of different sounds, different rhymes, different vibes at different times for different minds. 

How did Konfused come about? Hope you do a video of it!

Some time ago, a producer I used to work with sent me a beat, and I did a freestyle on it that had a hook similar to the hook on Konfused. When I sent him the recording, he wasn’t impressed and asked that I work further on the lyrics. I was quite disappointed because I expected a more positive response.

However, I took his advice and continued to refine the lyrics. Then, when I met DJ Coublon, he played a beat, and I could not get the word Konfused out of my head, so I went to the mic with nothing but just the word Konfused and birthed the track. 

How is the experience of working with the JustJoJo team going for you?

It’s been a thrill! I have gotten exposure to very creative people that have helped me realize it’s really okay to be yourself and just create. In addition, I have received a lot of support and people that really believe in me and my talent. On the flip side, there are many expectations; however, they provide the needed guidance to help me through. 

What 5 tracks did you discover during lockdown?

During the lockdown I listened to a lot of 6lack, Nasty C and Juice WRLD:

• 6lack ft J Cole ‘pretty little fears’
• Nasty C ‘Another one down and Casanova’
• Juice WRLD Empty and Make believe’

What’s your favourite Youtube channel and why?

Billie Eilish. Because I love her videos – the concept in the videos and her styling. 

Who would be your dream artist/producer to collaborate with?

• The producer would be Marshmello because I love all the songs he’s worked on.
• The artist would be 6lack because I love his voice and his lyrics have had a big impact on my life over the few years since I started listening to his music

What’s the next step after the project drops?

After the project drops, I would like to spend time promoting it and putting together a few videos to help bring to life a couple of the songs. I would also like to dedicate time to start working on my next project. My motto is: create or die. I live and breathe creating music, so I am constantly working on my next project.