Emerging Italo-Nigerian artist Morenike announces her captivating debut single ‘Nobody Knows My Name’, out November 26th via cult French independent label Kwaidan Records, home to acclaimed band Nouvelle Vague. The track marks the arrival of a singular voice weaving together folk, soul, jazz, and electronic elements into a deeply spiritual and culturally hybrid sound.
Born in Ireland 24 years ago and raised in Rome, Morenike Vincent brings a unique artistic perspective shaped by diverse cultural roots and rigorous musical training. Classically trained in piano for ten years and cello, she later studied jazz vocals at the conservatory before embarking on a deeply personal artistic journey rooted in cultural hybridity and existential displacement.
Unable to find the musical space she was looking for in Italy, Morenike relocated to Paris, where she is developing her musical project in collaboration with producer Marc Collin. Drawing comparisons to FKA Twigs, Nina Simone, Ego Ella May, and Greentea Peng, her art attempts to hold together opposing forces: the urge to never be caged by anything or anyone, and the deep desire to belong and feel lost entirely.
“We can say that the song is divided into two distinct parts,” Morenike explains. “The first is mainly shaped by the voice: its melody draws inspiration from Arabic harmonies and blues chants, marked by rich melismas and a circular structure. It was originally composed while playing on a single guitar string, which was later replaced by a keyboard line, preserving that same hypnotic, minimal energy.”
“In the second part, the tempo shifts, the rhythm accelerates, and hand-played percussion comes in, bringing a more physical, almost ritualistic dimension to the piece. The song then returns to its initial pace in the second verse, creating a sensation of oscillation, like a wave moving back and forth between introspection and release.”
‘Nobody Knows My Name’ explores the idea of freedom within anonymity, in a world that places immense value on visibility and fame. Not finding a single genre to anchor herself in, Morenike weaves together oriental and African percussion, the raw textures of grunge, the haunting depth of trip-hop, and the spiritual resonance of religious and folk chants.
“Conceptually, the track explores the idea of freedom within anonymity, in a world that places immense value on visibility and fame,” she continues. “I believe there’s a unique kind of liberation in remaining unknown: when we’re not confined by the versions of ourselves that others remember, we can move, transform, and express ourselves more freely. The song also reflects the experience of finally finding a space, both inner and external, where we can exist and create in complete authenticity.”
Music becomes, for Morenike, a fragile yet vital refuge where contradictions are allowed to coexist, and where identity is something fluid, intimate, and free. Her artistic journey unfolds as a continuous search for desire, resonance, and belonging.
Featured image by Sibel Kavadarli.
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/morenikevt/
https://www.tiktok.com/@morenikevincent