We were lucky to catch up with Neka Leslie recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Neka , thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?
NEKA LESLIE Biography
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Meet Neka Leslie — the rising Jamaican fusion artist set for global domination.
Based in Atlanta, Neka’s vibrant musical style blends pop, R&B, reggae, dancehall and afrobeats together to form a fresh, honest, and rhythmically addictive sound that reflects her Jamaican-American roots. Her upcoming debut single ‘All On Me’, featuring Grammy-nominated reggae musician Jah Cure, will be released in December 2020.
Born in Westmoreland, Jamaica, music chose Neka at the tender age of six – the same year that her mother, who introduced her to different music genres as a child, tragically passed away. Music became therapeutic for Neka, who used the craft as a tool to process her pain and loss. By the age of 10 Neka began songwriting, and by age 18, was a highly active performer, from music and theatre to dance and track. Since pursuing music, Neka has recorded and performed with a number of established artists like Jah Cure, Jagged Edge, Christopher Martin, Konshens, Mavado, Octane and more.
Creatively inspired by a mixture of artists, from Beyoncé, Vybz Kartel, Tiwa Savage and Burna Boy to country music icons like Kenny Rogers, Neka’s own artistic development is an exciting journey that shows no sign of slowing down. Currently, she’s self-managing her music career along with raising her daughter as a single mother and pursuing her professional goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. This fierce ability to hustle, achieve and thrive are powerful character traits that come alive in Neka’s music. The rising fusion artist says: “I feel this pull to live for my mother, to do the things she wanted to do. It’s so easy to get caught up in day-to-day life working for people and forget your own happiness. My dream is to feel fulfilled, to feel like I’ve really lived before I die.”
Neka, who is the director of her own independent record label, Neka Leslie Music ENT, is highly driven — not just by achieving her dreams, but by motherhood. As a single parent, Neka cites her daughter as her main influence in everything she does, and her biggest inspiration for setting a good example in reaching her goals. Beyond music, as a cause close to her heart, Neka’s lifelong ambition is to open a non-profit charity for children without parents, whether they have passed away or been abandoned.
Neka , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
NEKA LESLIE Biography
—
Meet Neka Leslie — the rising Jamaican fusion artist set for global domination.
Based in Atlanta, Neka’s vibrant musical style blends pop, R&B, reggae, dancehall and afrobeats together to form a fresh, honest, and rhythmically addictive sound that reflects her Jamaican-American roots. Her upcoming debut single ‘All On Me’, featuring Grammy-nominated reggae musician Jah Cure, will be released in December 2020.
Born in Westmoreland, Jamaica, music chose Neka at the tender age of six – the same year that her mother, who introduced her to different music genres as a child, tragically passed away. Music became therapeutic for Neka, who used the craft as a tool to process her pain and loss. By the age of 10 Neka began songwriting, and by age 18, was a highly active performer, from music and theatre to dance and track. Since pursuing music, Neka has recorded and performed with a number of established artists like Jah Cure, Jagged Edge, Christopher Martin, Konshens, Mavado, Octane and more.
Creatively inspired by a mixture of artists, from Beyoncé, Vybz Kartel, Tiwa Savage and Burna Boy to country music icons like Kenny Rogers, Neka’s own artistic development is an exciting journey that shows no sign of slowing down. Currently, she’s self-managing her music career along with raising her daughter as a single mother and pursuing her professional goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. This fierce ability to hustle, achieve and thrive are powerful character traits that come alive in Neka’s music. The rising fusion artist says: “I feel this pull to live for my mother, to do the things she wanted to do. It’s so easy to get caught up in day-to-day life working for people and forget your own happiness. My dream is to feel fulfilled, to feel like I’ve really lived before I die.”
Neka, who is the director of her own independent record label, Neka Leslie Music ENT, is highly driven — not just by achieving her dreams, but by motherhood. As a single parent, Neka cites her daughter as her main influence in everything she does, and her biggest inspiration for setting a good example in reaching her goals. Beyond music, as a cause close to her heart, Neka’s lifelong ambition is to open a non-profit charity for children without parents, whether they have passed away or been abandoned.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Yes, wish I would have known about licensing and writing opportunities. There are so many other routes you can take to pursue music.
: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, I have a label and eventually I’d like to help other artist. Also, this is very personal , I’m proving to myself that I can do anything.
Contact Info:
- Other: https://linktr.ee/OfficialNekaLeslie All links are in the linktree