M A R E N I K A E

By Daniel Locke

With a name as iconic as the culture she represents, MARENIKAE is the embodiment of West African pride and culture, fused with the glamour and sophistication of old Hollywood.The statuesque Nigerian singer/songwriter is beyond multi-talented with current projects ranging from music, to art to fashion. When asked how she manages to juggle multiple pursuits she suggests never being told she was limited.
Unrated: Tell me about your background?

Marenikae: I was born in Lagos, Nigeria. My dad is of the Yoruba tribe and my mom is Efik. Growing up in a mixed tribal household was very interesting. It gave me an appreciation for deeper aspects of culture, especially in a place like Nigeria were there are over 120 different ethnic and tribal groups.

My dad was a film director and owned a record label and managed a couple of Nigerian artists. He had a couple of shows on TV, I actually acted on one of his shows growing up called “First Family”, and my home was the set lol.

My mother was a producer on a lot of my dad’s projects so we were a “film family”.

I went to boarding school at age 10 were I graduated at 16, came to the US for college and to pursue my dream.

How was it growing up in Nigerian?

Marenikae
Marenikae

Growing up in Nigeria and being Nigerian is something I’m extremely great full for because it gave me a wide range of life experiences and a deeper world view. It was a very different childhood from the average American child. Parents are stricter and society was conservative and very religious. Nigeria is partly Muslim as well as traditional, so I witnessed different household styles growing up.

How did you start to write music?

I was in year 12, and a close friend of mine heard me debating the possibility of being an artist to myself and insisted that I prove to myself that I wanted to be an artist by writing a song. I had never written a song before and took it as a test of my abilities. I said to myself if I could write a good song out of the blue, I would decide to be an artist and pursue it and the rest is history.

How do you approached your song writing?

It depends, sometimes it begins with a beat and sometimes it begins with some chords in my head.

You are from Nigerian? How the music scene in Nigerian was is a whole?

It’s a very interesting time, African artists are doing a lot of things with traditional African music and creating amazing new sounds.

You have been performing for a while, how have you being doing this without the backing of a label?

I own my own label.

Why did you decide to use Marenikae as your name?

Morenike is my first name but it’s actually pronounced “MARENIKAE”, wanted to make it easier for everyone lol.

What was it like, the first time you heard Freddie Mercury? And why is he one of your favorite singers?

Bohemian Rhapsody did me in. He does the most amazing things with his voice.

Why did you decide to do the song Smooth Operator? The first thing people think of is Sade? And a

Marenikae
Marenikae

lot of times if people know a song one way they reject it? Even if it is the same song word by word?

Sade is one of my idols, basically the most famous Nigerian artist to ever do it. And my smooth operator is so different from Sade’s that I’m not scared of rejection.

How does your version of Smooth Operator different from Sade?

I think you should listen and find out - Unrated Magazine

As listening sessions go, Marenikae’s which held at the exquisite Terra Kulture on a humid Lagos evening in December, was pretty revealing.
Pulse had accepted the invitation to attend this listening party, not so sure what to expect. We were also uncharacteristically late for the event, no thanks to the perennial Lagos traffic that knows no weekends.

Once into the event venue, we exchanged pleasantries with our hosts, music heads spanning several generations and journalists who were there to figure out what Marenikae had up her sleeves.

We didn’t have to wait for too long.

Spellbound
Marenikae’s voice; once the artiste was in her elements, was surreal. She could hit notes like no one’s business, her stage performance was at once electric and soothing and her music had a thing of Sade Adu and Asa about it.

There she stood; big, bold and beautiful and owning the stage like a veteran.
The guests were applauding before they knew it and standing ovations punctuated what would segue into a night of premium entertainment.

“I wrote, arranged and recorded my first song when I was 14”, 24-year-old Marenikae tells Pulse afterwards, one chuckle at a time. “I have been making music even before I started writing. I would just arrange other people’s songs, not knowing what that was. Then I started writing, co-producing my music and then started from there”.

Sojourn
As the months rolled into years, Marenikae departed Nigeria’s shores for the United States to study, but music kept on calling as she made it from one lecture room to the next.

“I wanted to be a neurosurgeon. I remember in SS3, they kept asking us what do you want to be and all and even though I would say I wanted to be this and do that, there was still music at the back of my mind. But I didn’t believe it was possible for me to be an artiste. Which is why I never pursued it.

“Until one day when a good friend of mine just said: ‘Oh, you want to be a singer, why not just admit it to yourself and work towards it’, you know. And I was like yeah, but how am I going to write songs? At that time, I had never attempted to write a song. And she was like, ‘oh, you can just write your songs yourself’. And I was like Ok.

“The first time I ever tried to write a song, I wrote a complete song. It was verse, chorus, bridge everything. That was my first time ever writing and it came so effortlessly. Like, I didn’t even try. And it was a really good song. That was when I was like, Ok, I’m naturally talented at this as opposed to wanting to be a neurosurgeon", She says.

Not a fan of math
Marenikae tells Pulse that she always knew neuro-surgeon wasn’t going to be her thing because she sucks at math.

“I knew I couldn’t be a neurosurgeon and be bad at math! I’m horrible at math”, she offers with a characteristic blush as her mum looked on from the audience. “I’m so good at a lot of things—graphics, fashion, brand aesthetics, but my math is messed up.

play
Marenikae during an interview session (Youtube)


“So , I just started writing, putting together songs, recorded a whole bunch of songs in my dad’s studio, my mum got a sound engineer at the time to go in, help me and produce and from there I met the guy who has been producing the majority of my music since then, his name is “Bigfoot in your face”.

Smooth operator
Marenikae calls her brand of music Afro-merge-- a perfect blend of her beloved Nigerian rhythms and neo soul with electronic and AC nuances throughout; laced with a whole lot of attitude.

And there’s a debut album in the works with eleven songs in there.

The Afro-merge crooner tells Pulse that fans should expect her first studio album called ‘Ajebutter’, in February of 2018.

Two singles off the album—Smooth Operator and Remember—are already enjoying some critical acclaim and airplay in Nigeria and the United States, with several Youtube likes to boot.

“I picked ‘Smooth Operator’ because of Sade Adu”, Marenikae confesses. “Sade is a very huge inspiration for me because she was the first Nigerian artiste to really cross over. She was popular in America, in Europe and Nigeria as well.

double denim Sadeplay
Marenikae has been looking up to Sade Adu (Pinterest)


“I love Asa. I enjoy Asa. But Sade is the benchmark of how well I’m doing. I want to be a modern day Sade because what Sade couldn’t do was keep her ‘Africanness’. And that’s what I’m trying to do. I am trying to create pop culture music with the African touch”.

What does she make of Simi?, we asked.

“Simi has an amazing voice. I love her voice. I have been a fan of hers for a while, funny enough. One of Simi’s first songs called ‘Ogaju’—that’s when she was really like a Christian artiste—I heard it while I was in Nigeria”.

Made in Naija
Even though Marenikae is based in Atlanta, US, the graduate of Criminology has made sure to produce her songs in Nigeria where she first discovered she’d end up a singer.

ALSO READ: 20 Nigerian songs you should never forget

“My songs are produced back home. My producer lives in Nigeria. We actually co-produce the songs over Skype", she says.

Apart from Sade, Asa and everyone else in between, Marenikae also draws her inspiration from American rock and Nigerian music of the ‘90s.

STYL PLUS IMAGINE THATplay
Marenikae is a fan of defunct Styl-Plus (Youtube)


“I’m greatly inspired by early ‘90s Nigerian art. 9ice is a huge inspiration of mine. I love StylPlus and I’m also influenced by ‘70s rock bands”.

There’s a glint in Marenikae’s eyes as she rounds off her session with Pulse, on a night when she both slayed and wowed a critical music audience who ended up eating from her palms, every step of the way.

“2018 will be a big year for me”, she says with steely resolve and loads of self-belief. “I am back in Nigeria and this is my time”, she says with raucous laughter, her head leaning back against the backdrop of the neon lights of the Terra Kulture.

On the evidence of her performance on the night, it would be foolhardy not to take her word for it. - Pulse.ng

Interview: Nigerian artist Marenikae Breaks Down Debut Album “Ajebutter” Track-By-Track


Nigerian singer/songwriter Marenikae has released her highly anticipated debut album Ajebutter. An eclectic mix of rich African culture meshed with Western European subtexts and overtones. The project is a refreshing journey into the mind of a Nigerian millennial with womanist roots. I caught up with Marenikae who details the backstory to the songs track-by-track from it’s bold lyrical statements to it’s diverse musical influences...





“Rosé High”


Rosé is a very special song to me because it was the first song I wrote after being ill. I had been ill for ten months and I had writer’s block as a result. It actually strengthened my spiritual life because God promised me a song, when I felt like I was done and my illness had gotten the best of me, I feel like he gave me Rosé as a gift so it’s really special to me. It’s main subject matter is a relationship or a love situation that you’re really not sure about being in. You initially want to begin it but after getting a taste, you realize it feels more like an addiction and gives you a high but it might also not be good for you. So the song describes the battle, the inner monologue and it’s also about resolving inner conflict. It’s in an Afro-Contemporary style and is inspired by one of the first Nigerian R&B artists Dare Art Alade. He was the first person in Nigeria where I was growing up to really break away from traditional African music and do something different. I even used the intro ‘This is brand new for you’. That was his intro he used when he released the song “Escalade” and that was the first time in my Country a Nigerian artist was doing true R&B music.


“Gidi”
This is actually a homage to where I’m from. I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria and the nickname for Lagos is Gidi. It’s pretty much an ode to hard work and honest living because when people come to Lagos, Nigeria all they think about is the glitz and the glam and only 20% of the population lives that way. The rest of the population has to do serious manual labor to get by, so the song is pretty much about highlighting the manual labor that majority of the people have to do in order to get by, in contrast to the glitz and glam that is expected. The clown in the red outfit is super important to me because it shows the lengths that people are willing to go to provide for their families. Another theme Is the stigma and stereotypes that surround Nigerian men being internet scammers, frauds and disreputable, so I wanted to highlight Nigerian men doing hard and honest work.

“Smooth Operator”


I love Sade. She’s like the biggest Nigerian artist to ever do it and is such a huge inspiration for me. I intentionally named it “Smooth Operator” so when people searched for the song, my name would pop up under hers one day. It was written about the term “Ajebutter” which is what the album is called. The term for “Ajebutter” in Nigeria is a slur for like privileged kids who grew up in the 20% and the word is used to devalue your authenticity and the term in English actually means “I eat butter”. It comes from a time in the past that only certain Nigerians had electricity in their homes and if you had electricity in your home you could have butter, so kids who grew up privileged grew up eating butter because their parents had access to electricity. So the song is my way of taking back the term and the insult attached to it and telling my “ajebutter” story, because they matter and they are part of the Nigerian consciousness. It’s also meant to encourage people to not be ashamed of themselves and however they grew up and just to stay true to whatever their “butter” is. The first line is “That’s my motto, you can’t chill on my MOTO”. And Moto is a Nigerian Pidgin word for car, and that’s something lagosians do they just disrespectfully lean on people’s cars while they’re parked. Lol! So I’m saying don’t lean on my car....and using that as a metaphor for disrespect, Also to not underestimate me or anyone else because you assume I’m an “ajebutter”. Don’t underestimate anyone regardless of what they look like on the outside, be it”cool” or “smooth”.


“The Bad Bitch (Interludes)”
I wanted the song to feel like a slap across the face. It’s very anthemic and brash and it’s purpose is to remind women to stand up and be proud of who they are. It’s like that phone call you get from your best friend who has to tell you “bitch get your shit together and pull yourself together”.

“Luh U Ryt”


This is actually the most traditional and local sounding song on the album. It has an African beat but it’s written in a very contemporary style with a Backstreet Boys interpolation. The song is about trying to convince a lover or a friend that unconditional love is given freely and not earned and to try again after a broken heart.

vybz“Vybz”
This is one of my favorites. It’s a really fun song about fronting and fantastic things happening wherever I am. On my album, a lot of the songs have the woman taking the lead role as opposed to the guys. Not necessarily asking them out but being more active, more selective and more certain about who you want to spend your time with. So in “Vybz” you’re having a conversation with somebody and you’re convincing them to come to wherever you’re at because fantastic things happen “anywhere I dey”. (“Dey” is a pidgin word for “am”). And this person is fronting way too much and is gonna need a lot more convincing than you’re willing to do and you’re telling them this and wondering why they’re playing hard to get. There’s an interpolation of the Yoruba term and song “GONGO ASO” that was coined by a Nigerian artist called 9ice which means “fantastic things will happen”.


“Kraze”
Again, of course it’s about the woman taking the more active role. Men are chatting all this noise to the protagonist, trying to convince her of their love and adoration. But she can see right through them and she tells them that they can’t really handle all of her fire and that they think they’re in love because she’s a “KRAZE” and it happens to her often cause that’s how dope she is but they can’t really handle her. Very Cocky.

“Kibinua/Body”


It’s a traditional ballad. Kibinua means shut up in Efik, which is my mother’s language. It’s a cautionary tale for young women to be careful who they give themselves and their all to because at the end of the day the only thing you have is yourself. The song is really funny cause it was written like an African mother talking so she’s actually telling the girls, “KIBINUA! listen, because I won’t say it again.” Lol.

“Cool Ajebutter (Smooth Operator Mix)”
It’s the remix to smooth operator. I enjoy a good remix because it allows me the chance to give a song new life. This is my favourite song on the album. It was originally the beat for Smooth Operator. The story for this song is funny because I hastily paid too much money for the beat before realizing I didn’t like it as much. So my sound engineer and I took it apart and completely revamped it. I never let anything go to waste lol.


“Remember/Remember(Afromerge Version)”

Remember is one of the most interesting song on this project because I’ve been working on it since I was like 21. I’m 25 now. I’ve had different cuts, different versions and different engineers. When I first started working on it, this album wasn’t even a thought, so I had to do a different version for the place that I was at now in my journey. Which is the Afromerge version. This song was conceived after my grandmother told me a story about Efik Tradition and how wives were expected to take care of their husbands mistresses in extreme ways, like cook breakfast for them the morning after, etc. I was enraged by that idea and “Remember” was born. The Afromerge Version is my second favourite song. - RNBJUNKIEOFFICIAL.COM

BY ROTIMI AGBANA Before now, it was unacceptable for ladies to publicly declare their opinion on sensitive matters such as sexual satisfaction, but overtime it has become a norm as ladies now share their views on virtually anything that has to do with sex either in public or on social media. ADVERTISING This is the case of budding afro-merge singer, Morenikae Lasode, better known as ‘Marenikae’, who argued in a chat with Potpourri that orgasm during sex is not compulsory as long as she is in love with her partner. Marenikae “It depends on the person and our relationship; if it’s someone I’m in love with and we are in a relationship, I don’t have to climax every single time we are together because just being together is enough, but when it’s somebody who isn’t like that, then in that regard, I always take my time.” The versatile singer, who recently released the video to her banging single ‘Gidi’, lamented the challenge women have with reaching orgasm during sex. According to Marenikae, most women require oral sex to reach orgasm because most men do not last long in bed before they climax. “That’s like 70% of women you are referring to there. A lot of women can’t reach orgasm with regular sex, so they need oral sex, but guys can reach orgasm in any way. So I think it’s not really unfair.” - Vangaurd

“I used elements of American culture…and all Latin cultures,” said Jazz keyboardist Ricardo Bacelar about his latest album released titled “Sebastiana.” “Latin Americans play Brazilian music differently. They mix the cultures Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, and Cuba. We have musicians from each culture. Each has their own way to weave the song.”

“Sebastiana,” meaning “she knows,” features Ricardo on keyboard (Brazil); Steve Hinson on guitar (US); Anderson Quintero on drums (Venezuela); Yoel del Sol on percussion (Cuba); Channo Tierra on accordion (Colombia); Cesar Lemos on base (Brazil); Jose Sibaja on trumpet (Colombia); Jesus Rodriguez on percussion (Peru), and vocalists Maye Osorio (US), Andrea Mangiamarchi (Venezuela), Rose Max (Brazil) and Ramatis Moraes (Brazil). Lemos is also producer of the project, which Bacelar placed a sample of his daughters’ percussions playing on. As you can see Ricardo is serious about paying homage to the musical roots of Brazil.

“They (his daughters) started classical piano…were playing percussions when we were in Miami last year. I put it on the record. They loved it,” Ricardo recalls.

ADVERTISING


The mixture of Latin cultures make for a very different sound and Ricardo Bacelar had the keyboard popping all through the project. My favorite selections of the album include #3 “Nothing Will Be As It Was” because of the guitar playing by Hinson – its so smooth; #5 “Menina Baiana” for the traditional Latin sound I’m use to which says Brazil and the piano support was crazy good; #7 “Partido Alto” for its simplicity in the beginning and its transition to horns giving it that Jazz feel – I also love how the piano keys are popping; #9 “Sambadouro” because the sound reminds me of an African chant – especially if you don’t understand the words of the vocalist like me- and this one has the keys popping too; #10 “Oh Mana Deixa Eu Ir” because the piano playing is outstanding providing that Smooth Jazz feel, and #11 the title track “Sebastiana” because it makes me want to dance and I love to dance!

“There are 45 cultures on the planet,” Ricardo points out. “It’s a big job for distribution but it’s important to Brazil.” (www.RicardoBacelar.com.br)

Marenikae Lasode AJEBUTTER

Nigeria birthed the iconic Sade’ whose vocals and style are unmatched. The country also birth vocalist Marenikae Lasode, who just released her debut album “Ajebutter.” Her vocals and style is also unmatched. In fact, she is so unmatched she had to make up her own genre, which she calls Afro-Merge.

“My style is influenced by many people…so I had to give it a name. I call it Afro-Merge,” Marenikae said. “I come from a musical family. My father owns a record label. The first group my father turned out is the biggest African artists.”

Lasode said initially she stepped away from her calling because she did not want to sing traditional African music.

“The stigma around artists wasn’t really what I wanted…so I went to college for Criminology. After a while I decided that this (singing/songwriting) is what I want to do.”

Marenikae said it was the urging from a friend that prompted her to write a song which started her natural creative juices to flowing.

“My friend gave me a challenge…to write a song,” she said. “I was 12 years-old. I wrote my first song – the first verse, the bridge and chorus. Everything and I was like wow I can do this.”

Marenikae said African artists were not confirming to the contemporary world. They were staying with traditional African music and being of the younger generation she just wasn’t feeling that style music. She went to college in Boston and that influenced her style of music.

“I went to college in Boston. North and South cultures are more into Soul,” she pointed out. “I recorded a song but went back to Nigeria for 4 or 5 years. Things had changed for me as an adult.”

Her view of her African culture had change. She no longer saw Nigeria through a child’s eyes but through adults’.

“I started to fuse together social issues…after talking to my mother and grandmother. Everything they told me I took and poured that into my music.”

The “Ajebutter” album has already released three singles – “Rose,” “Smooth Operator” and “Remember.” - EUR

Nigerian singer/songwriter MARENIKAE has been inciting the airwaves of her native land with with her powerful style of Afro-Merge beats as of late. With her single “Gidi” making waves on air in Lagos and her girl power anthem “Remember” (Afro-merge version)spinning in Abuja, Ghana Benin and Togo, the West African vixen is ready to unleash her movement in the states with her debut album “Ajebutter” MARENIKAE will be releasing her premiere studio album, “Ajebutter” on March 11, 2018, via her self-created distribution and record label The Zuchia Nexus. affectionately known as The Zan and this entrepreneur/fashion designer intends to prove just what the new age Nigerian Millennial woman is capable of.



marenikaealbumcover

AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE MARCH 11 - It Needs to be Ced

Afro pop artist Marenikae talks polygamy, concubines and womanism vs. feminism
MARENIKAE (photo credit Dewayne Rogers/Steed Media)
MARENIKAE (Photo credit: Dewayne Rogers for Steed Media)

African Americans have always speculated about the cultural differences between African culture and African American culture, especially as it relates to marriage and relationships. Men have referred to the polygamist cultures in Africa as proof that having more than one woman is in line with the instinctive nature of the Black man. Afro pop artist MARENIKAE is happy to share her Nigerian heritage with fans and even wrote her first single about a conversation she had with her grandmother about her cheating husband.

“In Nigerian culture, often the wife would be expected to make the mistress comfortable. A wife may have to sleep on the floor and allow the mistress to sleep in the bed with her husband. She may also be expected to go draw water for the mistresses bath, etc.,” MARENIKAE explains.

Understanding the differences and commonalities between American’s view on marriage versus her own Nigerian customs is something MARENIKAE enjoys exploring. While she acknowledges polygamy is widely accepted in her native culture, she insists not everyone embraces the idea. MARENIKAE believes the biggest common thread is the need for women to have their own identity and ability to make their own choices, whatever those choices may be. “In other countries, women don’t always have a choice to make their own decisions. Many times the woman is at the mercy of a man,” she says.

MARENIKAE fondly recalls her conversation with her grandmother when she learned her grandfather had attempted to bring the mistress into their home and make his wife attend to his concubine. “My grandmother said she locked the mistress and her husband in the closet and got in a boat with her baby and left,” MARENIKAE laughs, “there is obviously a lot of my grandmother in me.”

Her new single is an ode to women everywhere who have recognized their independence, whether they’ve been lied to, cheated on or even abused. Her single “Remember” will be available everywhere summer 2017. Hear more of MARENIKAE’s views on Nigerian culture, sexism and womanism versus feminism after the jump. - Rolling Out Magazine

Nigerian artist Marenikae and her ‘Afromerge’ sound
Written by Afroway

The Afromerge pioneer is a gifted artist whose craft and innovation knows no boundaries

She’s what you would describe as a wholesome, the Nigerian artist carries many talents; oscillating from music to fashion.

Marenikae grew up in Nigeria before she opted for the US journey where she’s managed to polish her trade and skills, acquiring an even deeper and rich taste that blends her heritage and the different culture from the foreign, delivering an elegance and grandeur.

The young singer is the voice behind a ground-breaking sound which she calls Afromerge, a blend of Nigerian rhythms and neo-soul, and electronic shades, her sound more of defines her bold artistic skills which are evidently limitless.

Her audaciousness has seen her chart into the independent artist levels, where besides being an independent artist herself, she has establish an independent label christened The Zuchia Nexus which encourages project exchanges and the coming together of various artists to support and promote each other.

The artist’s entrepreneurial spirit has also seen her establish her own urban cloth-line Makan Gid’n which complicates her luxury side, the label offers deluxe African designs that are a fusion of her African culture and the urban style. She embodies a perfect blend of diverse cultures, dreams and complexity that have seen her make milestones.

The singer’s debut album titled ‘Ajebutter’ has already met positive reviews; as is it is wither her persona, the project is an eclectic touch of her heritage, layered on African drum schemes, neo-soul advances and afropop, in hindsight the project borrows from various Nigerian influences that stretch from the old sounds to the adventurous new. The singer previously released Remember, a single that aims to encourage women to conquer the world. You can also explore more of her sound on SoundCloud,

The singer recently held a successful album tour in her motherland Nigeria.

The Ajebutter EP will officially released and made available everywhere on March 11.

That’s enough of an introduction, get a feel of her music on the Ajebutter single off her upcoming project below: - Afro-Way

An homage to the city MARENIKAE grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and an ode to hard-work and honest living. .A fusion of neo-soul and jazz style syncopation combined with some feel-good African drums.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oVATCyN8OQ&list=PLRKffq4BXd1JqEdOJ_UJ9_SOejkwW2BPS -

I can’t say I’ve ever had the pleasure of immersing myself in an Afro Merge beat, thankfully Marenikae’s latest single Gidi was the perfect introduction to the sensual, soulfully resounding soundscape.

Rather than just creating yet another R&B Soul Track, Marenikae took a prodigal approach to her sound and created a track that will stay with you for long after it fades out. It’s grinding, it’s alluring and it’s getting added straight to my playlist. The international sounds that were weaved into the mix create a multi-layer sound that are impossible not to get caught up within. Marenikae’s vocals are soulfully full of attitude, pride and attitude. If that isn’t impressive enough, Marenikae writes all of her own music and uses her melodic vocal timing skills which she polished as a spoken word poet. It’s safe to say I’ve found a new idol in Marenikae.

You can check out Marenikae’s latest single Gidi on SoundCloud now, which is just one of the standout singles from her album AJEBUTTER which was released in April 2018.

Review by Amelia Vandergast





Read the full article - TORIAL.COM

Marenikae (pronounced Muh-Ren-i-KAY) stands her ground as a woman on her debut single, “Remember.” On the track, the Nigeria-born singer/songwriter empowers women of all cultural backgrounds, who have felt helpless when being slighted by their significant other.

“I think contrary to FELA, the new African woman is a lady. The stories of African Women need to be told by us and not for us,” Merenikae states. “We are women, and we do not have to do what we are told. We persevere. We dey.”

She adds that “there is little that separates women regardless of cultural background, age or race.”

“Remember” is Merenikae’s gift to oppressed women longing to express their inner heroine. The record is also the first in a series of songs that will showcase her Nigerian culture and bold statement of “womanism.”

Merenikae has hit the ground running as a new artist. Recent performances include opening for So So Def songstress Dondria at City Winery, Splashfest 2017, R&B Live at Kat’s Cafe and Beast Mode at Le Bam Studios in Atlanta, Ga.

Enjoy “Remember” and PURCHASE if you dig it!

Learn more about Marenikae by visiting HERE: www.marenikae.live



Read more: https://singersroom.com/content/2017-08-15/premiere-marenikae-remember/#ixzz5Fnarot86
Follow us: @singersroom on Twitter | singersroomcom on Facebook - Singersroom.com

ByAwosanwo Oluwatosin
Posted on March 24, 2018

Morenike Olasode, UK based Nigerian singer, whose stage name Marenikae has made a statement that may probably stir up another battle between Wizkid and Davido.

In an Interview with the Vanguard, she was quoted saying, Wizkid earned his status as a superstar artiste while Davido bought his way up in the music industry.



On Wizkid, She said:-

“Wizkid is an all-rounder because of his vibes; thanks to his learning and struggling years.

Struggle in the industry teaches you how to be a better artiste, it give room for self-confidence and courage, teaches you how to navigate and manage in the business, how to improve, how to grow, it makes you more perceptive, more aware of what the market needs and I think this struggle shaped Wizkid’s career and drive”, she argued.

On Davido, She said, Davido bought his current stardom:-

“Davido on the other hand grew in better circumstances and his career also snowballed in better circumstances but he’s also good.

There are some Davido’s songs I love more than Wizkid’s but if I have to pick one person, looking at Wizkid’s artistry, image, performance, and history, I’ll pick Wizkid.

As far as image is concerned, Wizkid is highly developed and complex.” - Mashable

MARENIKAE
With a name as iconic as the culture she represents, MARENIKAE is the embodiment of West African pride and culture, fused with the glamour and sophistication of old Hollywood.The statuesque Nigerian singer/songwriter is beyond multi-talented with current projects ranging from music, to art to fashion. When asked how she manages to juggle multiple pursuits she suggests never being told she was limited.
MARENIKAE grew up in Nigeria and recalls writing songs and poetry as early as age fourteen. Her approach to songwriting stemmed from a fascination with spoken word and attending numerous poetry and writing workshops. MARENIKAE credits listening to great orators as the key to perfecting her songwriting skills. She discovered the melodic timing in spoken word resembled her natural writing style and translated to the melodies she discovered in song.
Growing up MARENIKAE was exposed to various types of music and cites a myriad of artists as influences; from Nigerian artists like 9ice, styl-plus, Dare Art-Alade,fela and plantashun boys all the way to the Backstreet Boys, Freddie Mercury, Daughtry, Dwele and Raheem Devaughn. Throughout her teen years she worked to create a signature sound relying heavily on neo-soul and afro-pop music..The end result is AFROMERGE a perfect blend of her beloved Nigerian Rhythms and neo soul with electronic and AC nuances throughout laced with a whole lot of attitude.
In an effort to distribute her own music and to assist other artists like herself, MARENIKAE founded “The Zuchia Nexus” an independent label geared towards becoming a meeting place for international producers, songwriters and artists to support each other while exchanging ideas and cross promoting.
As if being the flagship artist on her own label wasn’t enough, MARENIKAE also started a fashion line entitled, MAKAN GID’N. The urban line focuses on luxe
African wear with an urban twist. Much like its founder, MAKAN GID’N is a blend of West African culture meshed with urban streetwear. For MARENIKAE, MAKAN GID’N was her way of creating memorable costuming for her performances. The line represented her music perfectly and allowed her to create an atmosphere that would entertain and educate fans about her native homeland.
Today MARENIKAE is planning for the release of her debut album, titled AJEBUTTER (worthy of its own Afro-womanist socio-political conversation). She plans to return home to Nigeria for an additional press tour for the album. She is looking to increase her fan base and find additional opportunities for “The Zuchia Nexus”. After debuting her MAKAN GID’N fall line in 2016 Ragtrade Atlanta, MARENIKAE is looking forward to introducing fashionistas across the country to a line that connects her heartland with the homeland.
​ - ATLWEB RADIO

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U.S based Nigerian artist, Marenikae has just released her debut album, Ajebutter! What sets this West African beauty apart from others is that she’s out here making an impact and starting the conversation. The opening of Marenikae’s music video, “Remember” shines light on the stories of African women and the importance of it being told! Not only is Marenikae passionate about empowering women but she’s also dedicated to showcasing the strength of women all over the world. In the face of the #METOO movement today, Marenikae wants women from all over the world to use their voice in order to show their power in their own terms. In an exclusive interview with Sheen, we got to know this powerful artist quickly rising to the top!

Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself? When did you know that music would become such a big part of your life?
Well, my name is Marenikae and I am from Lagos, Nigeria. I was born and raised there and came to the United States for college in Boston. I ended up in Atlanta to pursue the dream just a week after graduating. My music is a combination of neo-soul with influences such as electronic and contemporary. It’s a basically all of the different influences I was exposed to growing up. I recognized that my talent wasn’t regular; I wanted to build up and pursue it to the fullest.

Can you tell us about your music video, Remember and the powerful message behind it?
Remember is a story revolved around a story my grandmother told me. She explains how back in her days in Nigeria, the wives were expected to cater to the husband’s mistress. The husband could bring his mistress home and the wife was expected to cook her food and sleep on the floor while the mistress slept with her husband. I wrote a response stating what I wish the women during that time would’ve said. The video and the imagery highlight my Nigerian culture and traditions but we wanted an “in your face” confrontation about the issues that African women have to go through. - SHEEN MAGAZINE

Marenika is a West African beauty who has built a loyal following in her now home, of Atlanta due to her fierce, yet sultry, women's empowerment movement. Marenikae boldly and passionately shares her story in the anthem "Remember" that she wrote to both empower women and to demonstrate their collective strength.


INCLINE MAGAZINE: Tell us about your woman’s empowerment movement?

MARENIKAE: Its focus is on black and African women celebrating their similarities and acknowledging their differences at the same time. I consider myself an Afro-womanist and a proponent of some Africana-Womanism theories which pertain to a feminism which acknowledges the abilities and contributions of black women.



The ideology is that both femininity and culture are equally important to the female experience. An ethnic woman’s culture is not a component of her feminism; instead, her ethnicity is the lens through which she understands her femininity. I said all this to say that African and African-American women view their own femininity, and ideas of self, through the very different cultural lenses. Afro-Womanism seeks to create a better understanding between black feminism and Africana Womanism. I have a song on the album that speaks to the empowerment of changing the narrative. The song “Remember" was written for women to demonstrate our collective strength and Instead of the age-old story starring a scorned woman nursing her tears in bitterness after infidelity; “Remember" is a battle cry for women to dry their tears and get back into the business of conquering the world. - INCLINE MAGAZINE

With her intriguing debut album title, Marenikae gives you an inkling of her album’s direction before you’ve even committed to purchasing it. To give some insight, for those of you who may not know, an “Ajebutter” is Nigerian slang for a “spoilt kid” or a “rich kid” most times born or currently living abroad. It has the connotation that“you’ve had an easy life and don’t know suffering.” Press play.

Rosé High
The album starts off with a cool take on a guilty confession about alcohol. I’m sure this song would sound amazing live. Various instruments come together to create something that is sonically pleasing. And while all of this is great, someone help Marenikae put the Rosé down abeg. How much is Rosé again? Money is good o. Jokes aside, starting the album off with this record was a great decision.

2. Gidi

The song begins with a steady flute that you’ll also hear towards the end of the song. “Gidi” has a relaxing vibe that makes you feel high-class/elite. “I no get time…money dey for mind, no time” and “toast to the good life,” are the lyrics Marenikae runs with on the hook. Themes of hustle alongside enjoyment all are nicely packaged into the track. This song could have benefited from a nice rap verse towards the end, but Marenikae still carries it out well on her own.

3. Smooth Operator

This song screams begs to be performed live with choreography. “Smooth Operator” is pierced with church organs, horns and draws the focus towards Marenikae’s confident vocals. The song comes off like a freestyle and if it is, kudos to her creativity. Although the energy is great, the constant Ajebutter repetition/rhyme is a bit much. Substituted lyrics could have alleviated this issue.

4. The Bad Bitch (Interlude)

You’ll hear Marenikae at a different pitch and tone in the first half of this uptempo song. Lyrically the song isn’t for me, maybe because of the subject but I can’t deny the fun transition to the second half of the song. If I’m being honest, it almost made me raise my hand. This song is dedicated to the bad b*tches getting money. Marenikae salutes you o.

5. Luh U Ryt

I don’t know if Marenikae has been getting personal thus far, but this song feels very personal. She’s telling a guy to forget his old girl and that he looks like he’s going through some war wounds from love. Lyrics like “love can be unkind,” “take a chance” &“turn off the lights” give a complete message to a special song. Marenikae also uses some Backstreet Boys lyrics towards the end of the song. Make sure you catch it. Hint, it’s toward the end of the song.

6. Vybz

My favorite song on this album is “Vybz.” This song is full of Marenikae’s strengths, complimentary vocals, captivating lyrics and smooth flow, all while even paying homage to the great Lauryn Hill. “Why be a rock when you really are a gem?” Also, did I hear some Yoruba? Marenikae’s vibrant personality is all over this record.

7. Kraze / Krase

Marenikae’s continuation of upbeat sounds gets a bit exhausting but this record is meant to keep the party going. Lyrically there are times where her flow and diction is captivating but the hook that lead up to the “kraze” could have been replaced with stronger lyrics. It felt as if Marenikae wanted to keep up with the beat, which is great in theory but I would have appreciated a slower flow that didn’t match the beat step for step. Sometimes, less is more.

8. Kibinua / Body

I love the guitar that plays in the background on this record. Off jump, Marenikae gives reality and you can hear it in her voice. The more I listen to “Kibinua/Body” the more catchy it is. Along with the enjoyable beat, Marenikae gives a heartfelt message in this song that you should definitely listen to.

9. Cool Ajebutter (Smooth Operator Remix)

A remix to the previous track, “Smooth Operator” this reimagining gives more attention to the drums through the hi-hats and snares. When comparing the two I find that I do like this remix more than the original. The drums give the song more flavor and Marenikae’s ad-libs are perfect.

10. Remember

“Warning. Angry African woman,” is what starts the song off. You can add Kendrick Lamar to the list of artists (including Lauryn Hill and the Backstreet Boys) that Marenikae has borrowed from. Contrary to what the beat may lead you to initially think of the song, Marenikae dey vex o. It seems as if Marenikae is with whatever smoke comes her way as she seems to be dealing with those who have empty words for her. The album is almost done and I’m glad that Marenikae has shifted the feel of the album from enjoyment to more down to earth, relatable songs. I think this song is great, but would have been amazing without drums at all and/or with a slower tempo. “Remember” is another favorite of mine from the album, Marenikae gives you an unexpected record.

11. Remember (Afromerge Version)

To end the album, Marenikae gives an Afromerge Verson of “Remember”. Although the alternative track is appreciated, I think the original version sufficed. The beat clashes with Marenikae’s vocals in this version, which takes away from her voice which I love to focus on. However, I do love the transition, “ayyeee go somewhere with your busy bodyyyy.” It’s incredibly catchy and it’s moves you regardless of where you are.

Rating: 3/5. A debut album without features is a bold statement and a testament to Marenikae’s hustle. Her confidence is through the roof and you can feel it in her voice. This is a feel-good album, and gives you Marenikae’s signature sound, straight from a REAL Ajebutter. Jaiye, drinks, and good living with a little bit of serious matters to handle towards the end–this is the Ajebutter lifestyle in a nutshell according to the stereotype. While this is definitely a solid debut album Marenikae should focus on improving her songwriting. Marenikae needs to create catchier, memorable lyrics that will stick with the listener and help improve the replay value of her records. Personally, I’m looking forward to Marenikae’s future projects and also looking forward to her having the courage to experiment and hopefully succeed at making a variety of sounds, other than only sticking to upbeat Afropop. Well done and congratulations on this debut album! - ONE TRIBE MAG

Rising artist MARENIKAE is proud to announce the release of her latest single, “Smooth Operator”. The track is a testimony to the many hours of hard work and dedication that she put into writing it. It is featured on the upcoming album “Smooth Operator,” which is a fun and colorful genre slam, as Afroprop meets brash attitude. The song urges the listener to be true to whatever their “butter” is. With its smooth tempo and catchy lyrics, it is sure to be a major hit!

MARENIKAE is a native of Nigeria, where she began writing original songs and poetry as early as age fourteen. Her approach to songwriting has stemmed from a fascination with spoken word poetry. MARENIKAE credits listening to great orators as the key to perfecting her songwriting skills. Musically, her beats and rhythms have been inspired by the diversity created by her background as a Nigerian. She pulls inspiration both from Nigerian artists like 9ice, Dare Art-Alade, and styl-plus, while also being influenced by more Western artists like Daughtry, Backstreet Boys, and Freddy Mercury. The end result is AFROMERGE, a blend of her beloved Nigerian Rhythms and neo soul with electronic and AC nuances, laced with a whole lot of attitude.

“Smooth Operator” is a perfect example of this style. Like the rest of the album, MARENIKAE admits that the album was inspired by her fellow Nigerians, “it’s kind of an ode to our arrogance…it’s pretty much a song bigging up your style and how you carry yourself.” Being an AJEBUTTER means to be “bougie,” or fancy. It is one of three singles released ahead of “AJEBUTTER”. MARENIKAE has also released “Remember” and “GIDI”. Fans of “Smooth Operator” can also look forward to the release of a full-length music video sometime next year!

In addition to its significance as MARINEKAE’s debut album, the release of “AJEBUTTER” will also represent another important milestone in the young artist’s career. “AJEBUTTER” is the first full length release of The Zuchia Nexus, the record label created by MARENIKAE. The label was founded with the hopes of bringing together international producers, songwriters, and artists to support each other while exchanging ideas and cross promoting cultural influence. With the release of “AJEBUTTER”, the label grows closer towards achieving its goal by highlighting an artist who represents such a vibrant mix of cultural and musical influences. Fans of MARINEKAE will be excited to know that the album is scheduled for release on February 13th, 2018! - BILLBOARD SOUND

U.S based Nigerian artist, Marenikae has just released her debut album, Ajebutter! What sets this West African beauty apart from others is that she’s out here making an impact and starting the conversation. The opening of Marenikae’s music video, “Remember” shines light on the stories of African women and the importance of it being told! Not only is Marenikae passionate about empowering women but she’s also dedicated to showcasing the strength of women all over the world. In the face of the #METOO movement today, Marenikae wants women from all over the world to use their voice in order to show their power in their own terms. In an exclusive interview with Sheen, we got to know this powerful artist quickly rising to the top!

Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself? When did you know that music would become such a big part of your life?Well, my name is Marenikae and I am from Lagos, Nigeria. I was born and raised there and came to the United States for college in Boston. I ended up in Atlanta to pursue the dream just a week after graduating. My music is a combination of neo-soul with influences such as electronic and contemporary. It’s a basically all of the different influences I was exposed to growing up. I recognized that my talent wasn’t regular; I wanted to build up and pursue it to the fullest.

Can you tell us about your music video, Remember and the powerful message behind it?Remember is a story revolved around a story my grandmother told me. She explains how back in her days in Nigeria, the wives were expected to cater to the husband’s mistress. The husband could bring his mistress home and the wife was expected to cook her food and sleep on the floor while the mistress slept with her husband. I wrote a response stating what I wish the women during that time would’ve said. The video and the imagery highlight my Nigerian culture and traditions but we wanted an “in your face” confrontation about the issues that African women have to go through. - 108 TALK RADIO

Marenikae, the ‘Ajebutter’ who’s pioneering a new music genre - Lifestyle The Cable

With a name as iconic as the culture she represents, MARENIKAE is the embodiment of West African pride and culture, fused with the glamour . - ATLWEB Radio

It was a ‘baptism of fire’ for the United States of America-based-Nigerian singer Marenikae last week, as she went through the dreaded Lagos gridlock all the way from VGC to keep to this interview appointment in Surulere, Lagos. To make matter worse, it was the week that truck drivers took over Lagos roads. - The Guardian

isten as MLuv brings out the story of her journey and all she does to be the strong leader and "Self professed womanist" who is successful with her passion for music production, writing, performing and setting the bar. - Live Life in the Purple

Best of February Spotify playlist - Spotify playlist

Spotify Tracks of the Month Playlist - Spotify

Worldwide Hits Spotify playlist - Spotify

Since releasing her transformative debut album, “Ajebutter“, West African singer/songwriter Marenikae has given us a peek inside the millennial mindset while challenging age-old beliefs and cultural norms. Her latest single “VYBZ” is no different, as she challenges any potential “Bae” to strive toward being the best version of themselves in order to be in her space, regardless of how right their “VYBZ” may feel. This feel-good groove is rooted in a blend of neo-soul & Afropop and accentuates the bold confidence of Marenikae’s vocals. - Triple HQ

Afro-Merge artist Marenikae, has released the lively visuals to her latest single “VYBZ.” The new single promotis self-elevation and letting your significant other, or anyone else in your life know they have to come up to your frequency because you’re not about to give up your power. - Collegehiphop.com