SINGER XENIA MANASSEH SPEAKS ABOUT HER DREAM OF BEING A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER

Popular Kenyan singer Xenia Manasseh has opened up on how she developed her love for music.

Speaking in a recent interview, Xenia said she didn’t realise making music was her purpose until 2019, “After spending six months in Atlanta writing music almost every day, it became clearer and clearer. My why is because it is my purest form of self expression. Our gifts are given to us for free and I believe the most important thing we can do is to lean into that wholeheartedly.

I remember hearing phrases like, “If you don’t use your gifts they will be taken away,” and “Your gift will make room for you,” and over the years I’ve experienced and really started to understand how much weight those statements carry. Stepping into your purpose is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. I don’t do it because of the possible rewards or recognition that I may receive but simply because of how connected I feel to who I really am, and it only gets clearer the more I pursue it. I’m grateful and honestly blessed to receive anything after that.“

Manasseh added that if music didn’t work she knew she was going to be a professional football player. “Growing up I listened to African artists from all over thanks to my family’s love for music. The list is endless but to name a few we have the likes of Nameless, Nazizi, Khadja Nin, Brenda Fassie, Lady Jaydee, Youssou N’dour, Mzee Ngala, Oliver Mtukudzi. Writing it down makes me realise how I’ve been exposed to all kinds of music my entire life. If I didn’t do music I knew I was going to pursue being a professional football player.”

The singer was named Spotify’s Equal Africa ambassador for February, “Being a part of the Equal programme is an honor. I’m honored to be recognized for my input and for my voice especially in a male-dominated industry. I’m honored to be a part of any programme that is built on inclusivity. Navigating this industry would be more difficult without platforms like these that seek to highlight that great art is great art no matter the source,” said Manesseh.

She says most of her music inspiration comes from her Kenyan roots, “I always described myself as an R&B/Neo-Soul artist but now I would say there’s something for everyone with my Kenyan roots as the source of my inspiration. Songwriting made me curious about what “Xe” can bring to any genre so I’ll always try something new. Experimenting with different genres has allowed me to play with my sound and my tone. I can be grungy, I can be soft, I can be clear cut, I can be moody- it just depends on the song and how I’m feeling in the moment.”

She advises upcoming artistes to take a chance and bet on themselves,  “Choosing to pursue all the things I am passionate about and living and learning through these experiences has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done and am still doing. I can’t be anything but grateful! Take a chance on you, bet on you. Try it out, see how it makes you feel – be relentless and be grateful for every part of it.”