welcome to afropunk: sandra nkaké

Every year, the AFROPUNK Festivals around the world welcome many new and young artists to its stages for the first time. This year, we decided to ask a few of them to introduce themselves to the AFROPUNK audience by answering some questions about who they are, where they come from, why they do what they do, and what brought them here.  This week we we feature African songbird Sandra Nkaké, an exquisite singer and writer who expresses herself in two different languages.

Age:

I am 39

Place of Birth and/or Residence:

I was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Living in Paris.

Short Description of What You Do:

I am an artist. Singer/songwriter/actress who tries to translate into art the overwhelming issues of how we can together build a world that would embrace all the specific energies we all represent. My music is a blend of indie-pop, rock, folk, soul, jazz, and African harmonies.

What are your favorite things about where you are from, and what are your favorite things about local black culture where you are from?

My favorite thing about Yaoundé is the people’s warmth and kindness. I love Yaoundé’s red earth, and the market places that are so full of joy, despite the great recession of the country. I am also lucky to have been able to travel to my grandfather’s native village, Fiko. Although they had never met me before, they welcomed me as their “daughter.” My coming was announced by drums and dances throughout the villages we passed before we arrived in Fiko. This is Cameroon: warmth, great spiritual connection between generations, and the channelling of love and light through arts.

If there was one or two core thoughts/ideas that you want your music to convey, what are they?

I would like listeners to feel they are entitled to be unapologetically black.  I’d like my music to give confidence to them. I’d like them to believe in themselves and feel that, no matter what their place of birth, religion, beliefs, physical feature, sexual orientation, they have value.

What is your most recent musical project? What separates it from your previous musical/creative projects?

I just released an album called Tangerine Moon Wishes. This one is really special to be because I produced it: artistically and financially. I created a music label called RIOT to enable me to express exactly what I wanted to, in music. We recorded in live conditions, so there’s no retakes or editing. I wanted the whole process to be like diving into oneself, not knowing where you would land. It’s a journey, a voyage.  I believe I finally reached this moment when I really embrace the fires of me, I am at peace with who I am, and I can hear it in my voice, both fragile and powerful.

When did you first hear of AFROPUNK? or Do you have any firsthand AFROPUNK experiences of your own?

I discovered AFROPUNK in 2013 thanks to my very good friends, Hannifah Walidah, Les Nubians and Blitz The Ambassador. I then created an artist page on the platform. I was blessed to perform at the first AFROPUNK Paris in 2015 at Le Trianon, and I had a blast. I was then asked me to host Afropunk Paris 2016 and 2017!

What are you looking forward to most when you play at AFROPUNK?

Representation matters… AFROPUNK is not only about music, it’s about activism. It’s a powerful experience. I can’t wait to discover new painters, writers, cooks, intellectuals who will gather, discuss and exchange information on how we can create sustainable platforms that express our diversity.

I am very excited because AFROPUNK gathers a community, a spiritual community that embraces and accepts each one of us. I know the audience is funky and warm, dances and sings. People are alive. I can’t wait to meet new people and share my new music with them.

Catch Sandra Nkaké at AFROPUNK Paris 2018! Tickets available HERE.