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Home • Celebrities

Meet N'Kenge, the Natural Taking Over Broadway

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Meet N’Kenge, the Natural Taking Over Broadway
By ilead sayidagroup · Published December 3, 2015

My name is N’Kenge. I grew up in NY, in both The Bronx and Brooklyn. I am a pop-soul and opera chic singer and originated the role of Mary Wells in Motown: The Musical on Broadway.

I have naturally curly hair and my style varies depending on my mood (and sometimes project I am working on”>. One day I am very glam, and the next day I can be funky. I can be showcasing a sporty look but will still throw a flower in my hair and some sparkly earrings. I love making a statement with my look.
Berry Gordy has been a wonderful mentor to me. He not only was a fantastic songwriter, but he built an empire called Motown; I admire and respect him so much.

Pursuing performing as a profession

My teachers and mentors saw that I had a talent for singing and I loved performing. After winning competitions in high school and going through undergrad and graduate studies at both Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School, I went to work immediately. I was ecstatic by the idea that I could really make my passion my profession.

My musical influences

Berry Gordy has been a wonderful mentor to me. He not only was a fantastic songwriter, but he built an empire called Motown; I admire and respect him so much. My vocal teacher, Martina Arroyo, has made her legacy as not only an amazing opera singer, but has a wonderful foundation and is constantly encouraging. Whitney Houston has the golden voice–I have idolized her since I was a little girl. Her sheer brilliance in stage presence and sound inspired me everyday to pursue my dream of being a singer.

Incorporating opera into my work

Opera is my foundation, so I am always trying to incorporate it in my music and projects. There is a musical revue I created called LEGENDS! that celebrates the music and lives of leading ladies from Nina Simone to Leontyne Price.

I also wrote a song that will be on my forthcoming album with angelslikerebels.com called Goosebump Moment that is pop with a Latin flavor. It has some opera in it, too. My recording project is with this new indie label, Angels Like Rebels, who have created a crowdfunding platform that allows fans to contribute to my career plus earn a profit from my album and merchandise earnings. It’s quite exciting for both me as an artist and all my fans who support me.

Who I do this for

Definitely my daughter, Jahzara Martina. I wake up to that smile of hers that can heal a nation if given the opportunity…ha ha. I want to leave behind a legacy that she is proud of. In the near future, I hope to be wiser and enjoy a musical journey that takes me to more countries performing my music and crossing over to TV and film. I see myself producing and creating more of my own projects and being able to have outlets that will take these projects to the masses.

Keep up with me

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My website is www.nkengemusic.com and I am very active on social media. N’Kenge’s Music on Facebook, @Divankenge on Instagram and @DivaKenge on Twitter. Anyone who wants to support my forthcoming album can contribute directly at http://www.angelslikerebels.com/#Artist:N’Kenge

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