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Bronx-born artist N’Kenge (pronounced nuh-KEN-jee) has granted Vents Magazine the exclusive premiere of her latest music video for her world pop single, “Goosebump Moment.” In an in-depth interview, N’Kenge discusses her multifaceted success as a multilingual performer, sharing insights from her experiences on opera stages and major venues worldwide. Additionally, she provides an inside look into the inspiration behind her new song and the creative process that brought the video to life.
Hello! Welcome to Vents Magazine! First, congratulations on all your incredible success so far. I see that you have quite an illustrious career as a vocalist with a 5-octave range and a performance history that includes performing jazz, opera, pop, Gospel and Broadway musicals all around the globe. What or whom would you attribute the most to your versatility? Was it your formal training, your personal interest in multiple genres, a mentor…?
Thank you so much for having me. I would have to say it was a mixture of things with the leading factor being my personal interest in multiple genres. My vocal training has always been strictly opera, but with the bel canto technique, it kept my voice healthy as I navigated and explored what was authentic to me. I’ve been very lucky to have amazing teachers and mentors around me that believed in me and gave me the tools to soar.
You’ve also performed in some of the world’s most famous venues, including Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden. How did it feel performing on those amazing stages? What is the next level of venues that you’re aiming for?
Both venues were EPIC! Being able to perform at Madison Square Garden after so many years seeing it on TV in my living room was definitely an out of body experience. So huge and so much loving energy in the space. I have performed many times at Carnegie Hall and being a part of such amazing programs was such an honor. I would say the most special performance was when I produced the world premiere of my Broadway-bound Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical. Celebrating Dorothy‘s life in that space with such history behind it was a dream come true.
Congratulations on the release of your new single, “Goosebump Moment”! As the co-writer and lyricist of the song, what was the creative process like with your co-writers? And what was the inspiration for the song?
Thank you so much. We’ve been getting so much love internationally that it truly does give me goosebumps. The creative process was specific. I wanted to write a song that was inspired by all my international travels as an Opera singer and finding the one and only love. Preston Glass was a dream to work with, and we were inspired by Oprah when we decided on the title. We remember in her television show how she used to talk about having a Goosebump Moment when something awesome happened to her.
Your new music video for “Goosebump Moment” is gorgeous! Tell us about the locations where it was shot and the video-making process.
I had the pleasure of being a headliner on the Celebrity cruise ship for a week. The itinerary was stopping in some beautiful places which were Grand Cayman and Puerto Rico to name a few. My song was already released after I performed for China TV and we were getting a lot of love. I knew these beautiful spots were the perfect backdrop for my music video. As an independent artist without a label and a big budget behind me, I had to get creative. I used that opportunity to record my music video in several locations with an iPhone. That’s right, an iPhone 15! I took snippets of previous performances I’ve done with symphony orchestras and other venues as references throughout the music video, got a few outfits, wore my Velvet Eyewear glasses that I’m a brand ambassador for, and had an editor work their magic in putting it all together.
I see you had some great traction on TikTok with the new single. Will you be adding a new dance on TikTok as well?
Yes, absolutely. There is a dance that we just released so please check it out on Instagram and Twitter at @divankenge and join in the fun! It’s super cool and was inspired by my daughter, Jahzara Martina’s dance company studio, Garden Street School of the Performing Arts in Hoboken, New Jersey. When the owner, Annie DiStefano, heard the song, she immediately had one of her teachers, Beverly Johnson choreograph to it.
Will there be more original songs and music videos coming?
Yes, absolutely. My next single is a power ballad entitled “I’m Not in Love” that I co-wrote with award-winning songwriting and producing team Chris Willis and Andre Danek. These are singles from my forthcoming album, CENTERSTAGE.
With you being so versatile in your ability to sing in multiple styles and genres, is there a genre or style that you enjoy singing the most?
I love singing world pop. It’s a genre that allows me to push the envelope and mix genres and still gets you dancing in the club.
How does your versatility influence your songwriting? Is there a specific genre you would use to define your music?
I definitely lead with the heart when writing music. I don’t think of a specific genre when I’m inspired and would hate to have a specific genre that my music has to fall into. Music is music. It heals and It inspires. Crossing genres is my genre.
Where can fans find you performing live in the coming months?
I am currently the headliner for the Crown Princess and Seabourn Odyssey in Alaska, and I will be singing at The Jazz Club at the Aman Hotel Jan 29th in NYC. I take a little vacation in Europe for the summer and then I return to NY for a lot more concerts and benefit galas. I keep my shows updated on my Instagram and everyone can sign up on my newsletter at nkengemusic.com.
What other creative projects are you working on?
I am thrilled to be working with my co-producer, Gina G. Goff in a new music driven television drama comedy series that I have created and co-wrote with Mary McCullam. It’s called “Black Butterfly,” and it’s inspired by both my mother’s life and my own. We currently have several networks looking at it and we can’t wait to find a home for it.
As I previously mentioned, I am thrilled to be developing a new musical based on the life of Dorothy Dandridge that is Broadway-bound with an award winning creative team. You can find out more about it at DorothyDandridgeMusical.com.
I am also working on a brand new album called CENTERSTAGE that I would call the blueprint of my life. You can check out the trailer here and join us in supporting it and sharing it with the world.
Get the first glimpse of the new music video, “Goosebump Moment” by N’Kenge, premiering below.
