Deep, poetic, uplifting, and soul-enriching is what describes Nigerian Afro-pop, Soul, and R&B musician Lucia Nneka Egbuna’s stage and music delivery at her recent performance at the Live and Unplugged Kigali concert.

Even with Kigali lately spoilt for choice with music events, Live and Unplugged Kigali’s return reclaimed its place among music lovers for its smooth execution on November 6.

Kigali’s L’Espace in Kacyiru hosted the event, which featured the first performances by Rwandan budding acts Andersonne and Inki curtain-raising for the evening.

Nneka’s repertoire goes beyond the present. Her music and stage performances, throw hints into her past, growing up as a girl in a society that condemned the girl-child from self-expression.

Passionately holding her guitar, a seated Nneka delivered song after song, including Heartbeat, So Free, Shining Star, My Home, and Guilt, her latest.

Nneka Live is a cocktail of vocals, poetry, and reflective conversations with audiences, all backed up by her strumming mastery. Beyond these is the dream of ‘Pan-Africanism’ that she believes can reclaim the African spirit under siege from the current wave of modernism.

Nneka is one of Rwanda’s favourite guest acts following her many appearances and performances in Kigali. This one marked her fourth Kigali appearance since her first foray in 2011. She later graced the 2016 Isaano Music Festival in February, and Nigerian Afro-Funk and Blues artist Keziah Jones’ solo acoustic live performances in September of the same year.

With over five albums out in a decade, her 2009 single Heartbeat earned her a UK Top 20 spot and was featured by US-Nigerian rapper Nas and other international acts.

Over years, Nneka has graced and shared the stage with, among others, international acts like Eryka Badu, Seun Kuti, 2Face Idibia, Burna Boy and Damien Marley.