Njerae Represents East Africa As Apple Music’s Africa Rising Class Of 2025 Selection

NAIROBI - January 21 2025 — Indie Afro-soul singer Njerae becomes the second East African artist after Nikita Kering in 2021 to represent Kenya and East Africa as Apple Music’s Africa Rising stars. The recognition came shortly after releasing her new single “beg for it,” a love ballad that’s already receiving massive support from fans across the region.

Other recipients in the class of 2025 include Nigerian Afrbeats artist and producer KAESTYLE, South African singer-songwriter Lusanda, Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer FOLA and rising Ghanaian beatmaker AratheJay.

The artist development program, which started in 2020, showcases the best and exciting emerging acts across Africa, exposing their music to new markets and giving their voice new ears.

"I am deeply honored to be selected for the Africa Rising Class of '25 and get the chance to represent Kenya and East Africa at large. I am very excited for global audiences to listen to my music, as I believe this is a pivotal moment for the creative community in Kenya. Shout out to Apple Music for believing in me and supporting my journey."

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Njerae

Njerae has received great praise from key industry players for her outstanding work as a musician. She was among the Hottest breakout artistes of ‘24 by Hot-list Africa. Her chart-topping single “Aki Sioni” was recently ranked 10th in the Apple Music's Apple Music Top 100 (Kenya). Njerae has continuously enjoyed topping charts and receiving great ratings and being in the Apple Music’s Africa Rising Class of 2025 will further propel her to greatness. Her album ‘Unintentional’ remains in the Apple Music Kenya Top 50 albums, two years after it was released. Her fans rallied behind her, helping her scoop ‘Album of the year award’ for ‘Unintentional’ at the inaugural digital 254 Radio Awards in 2024. Beyond that, she was also named among Top 100 Kenyans for influencing the youth through her music by Kenya Popular Digital Media outlet Kenyans.co.ke.

About Njerae

Njerae has obtained her bachelor's degree in psychology and hopes to one day open a counseling center where music will be used as a form of therapy. She has equipped herself with the skills in live music performance and being a music entrepreneur as a graduate of perform music incubator.

Njerae is a Kenyan born and raised singer, songwriter and producer. Her music identifies as Afro-Indie with a touch of RnB and soul. She has played at Folk Fusion, Jamhuri Jam Sessions, Gig Dynamics Open House, Blankets and ine, Raha Fest, Nairobi Street Food Fest, Cheche Sessions, and a number of her own curated events.

Through her 2022 album unintentional it allowed her fans to interpret it as a girl’s handbook when going through a breakup which allowed more female fans to relate with her. The album allowed her to be featured in a number of radio and Tv shows.

Taking a more significant step toward modern RnB and contemporary Afro-pop sounds, Njerae was able to release her single “OTD” and “Valhalla” in 2023 opening huge doors for her in the music business.

In 2024, Njerae was able to release her EP - ‘Out with the old’ where she was able to come up with a number of collaborations with artists like Watendawili, Lisa Odour, Mbithi and Maali.

In August 2024, she headlined her show, launching the Out With The Old EP, featuring Maali, Mbithi, Hilda Watiri, Analo Kanga, Lisa Oduor-Noah, The Unit Band. This was a major milestone and proper stepping stones to advance in her career. It is only up for her from now on.