Every now and then a group comes along that embodies everything you love about music.
In 2001 Najuah burst onto the scene.
Fueled by their debut single "Miss That", Najuah took the indie music scene by storm with their unique blend of R&B, Rock, and Hip-Hop, which led to a performance at the Annual Billboard BET Hip Hop and R&B Showcase that summer. In 2002, the girls continued their hectic pace and received exposure from MTV, MuchMusic, TLN Television, BET, Billboard Magazine and the Canadian Music Network.
Threatened with the drama of band member-breakups and a fickle music industry that just didn't "get it", Najuah- sisters Juliet and Hanifa- never lost sight of their dreams, overcoming the obstacles with grace, determination and perseverance. The result is a stronger, more confident Najuah with a brand new look and a musical direction that places the integrity of the song above all else.
African-born and Canadian-raised, Juliet and Hanifa (born in Kenya and Zimbabwe, respectively) write and arrange all their songs, infusing them with gorgeous African harmonies and powerful lyrics that combine the nostalgia of old-school vibes with the slicker, more polished sounds of today. The sultry, sexually-charged voice of Juliet tempered with the calming effect of Hanifa's smooth, clean vocals reflect the girls' individual personalities and offer a refreshing, ambitious and more focused sound. Songs like the fun club anthem "Get Down", the old-school-meets-new-school "Let the Music" and the inspirational and uplifting "Anytime" are ample proof of that.
In an industry saturated with phoney images and one-hit wonders, Najuah are a welcome departure from the crop of trend-followers currently dominating the pop music charts. Their insistence on going against the grain and forging their own identity against a backdrop of superficiality is courageous; their infectious sound is a shot of adrenaline in an otherwise lethargic musical landscape. Najuah are no gimmick- they are here for the long haul, with plans to take on the world.
And knowing these girls, I wouldn't bet against them.
Aaron S. Bayley is a freelance writer, artist and creator of Counterattack.info.
