Nikita Kering Asserts Emotional Sovereignty on New EP 'Lick Back'

The Kenyan vocalist explores revenge, self-realisation, and the complexities of digital-age heartbreak across a bilingual five-track project.

By HNA MagazinePublished on 6 October 2026Last updated 15 October 2026

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Kenyan vocalist Nikita Kering has released her latest EP, Lick Back, a project that serves as a focused exploration of emotional accountability and self-realisation. Positioned as a response to undervalued love, the EP navigates the nuanced transition from heartbreak to liberation, delivered through Nikita's signature blend of African R&B and Afropop textures.

A Narrative of Reckoning

The project's title, Lick Back, centers on the concept of finding closure or getting even after experiencing emotional hurt. Distributed via ONErpm, the EP utilizes a multilingual approach, featuring lyrics in Swahili, Sheng, English, and French to articulate a journey of reclamation.

"It is about getting my revenge for everything to everyone, taking things into my own hands and being unapologetic. We’re all going through a tough time in this world, I think it’s time someone speaks on it," Nikita says of the project’s inspiration.

Track Breakdown: From Euphoria to Liberation

The EP opens with "Intro," a track characterized by soft chants and warm textures that establish a dreamy, immersive state of emotional euphoria. This atmospheric beginning quickly shifts into the reality of modern conflict on "Niwache." Here, Nikita addresses the specifics of digital-age heartbreak, touching on the erosion of trust caused by unanswered messages and emotional distance.

The tone shifts toward assertive self-advocacy in "Give Me My Money," where the artist demands respect and fairness. This energy evolves into a sense of freedom on "Outside," a track that transforms the weight of heartbreak into a state of liberation.

The project concludes with "Sema Ukweli," translated as "Speak the truth." The closing track serves as a vulnerable plea for honesty, capturing the exhausting internal conflict of moving forward while still tethered to the past. With lines such as "2000 steps ahead, then two more back," Nikita highlights the cyclical nature of emotional detachment.

The Future of African R&B

Through Lick Back, Nikita Kering reinforces her position as a compelling voice in the contemporary scene, utilizing vocal control and genre-fluid arrangements to document the process of getting free. The five-track project is currently available across all major streaming platforms.