Broadway Songstress N'Kenge Is Our March Spotlight Celebrity
Just in time for Women’s History Month, Divaa N’Kenge shines as our March Spotlight Celebrity
Photo credits: Top photo: Edward Ferguson - Flame Grower LLC
Bottom row from left to right: Caroline Baptista, Edward Ferguson - Flame Grower LLC
Who says that you can’t have it all?
This loving wife, doting mother to 6-year old Jahzara Martina, caring daughter to a mother currently living in a skilled nursing facility, a rising star on Broadway and other stages, entertainer and all-around inspirational human being definitely can.
We are talking about the fabulous and multi-talented N’Kenge, the international acclaimed award-winning Broadway & Opera Songstress who has been taking the entertainment industry by storm. Described as “Electrifying" by the NY Post in the role of Mary Wells that she originated in Broadway's Smash Hit “Motown: The Musical,” music legend Berry Gordy calls N'Kenge “the most versatile artist I know.”
N'Kenge is an artist whose musical range covers 11 languages and genres that stretch from opera, gospel, jazz, pop and musical theatre.
She has performed at New York’s Lincoln Center with jazz legends like the late great Ornette Coleman as well as Wynton Marsalis.
Have a look at this amazing talent and you will understand why she is the ImageMakers & Influencers Magazine’s March 2021 Spotlight Celebrity.
Let’s start with the below video in which N’Kenge does a classically inspired piece as Queen Ti from “Akhenaten The Musical”
Born and raised in New York, N’Kenge made her Broadway debut in “Sondheim on Sondheim” in 2010.
This unstoppable musical talent performs as a soloist for dignitaries around the world which has included appearances at the historical inauguration of President Obama at the Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball as well as international well-known venues like the Haymarket Theatre in West End, London, Carnegie Hall with NY Pops Orchestra, the Kennedy Center, Vienna Kammer Opera House, and the Israel Opera House.
The Universe willing, she will return to Broadway this fall in the revival of “Caroline, or Change” in which she will play The Moon at the Studio 54 Roundabout Theatre.
N’Kenge will be making a return to the iconic Carnegie Hall in 2021 in some exciting highly anticipated concerts soon to be announced.
In December 2021, N’Kenge will perform as the Headliner for the Holiday Pops at the Seattle Symphony conducted by acclaimed Pops Conductor Maestro Stuart Chafetz.
And that’s only part of the larger preview of where she’s headed next.
Watch N’Kenge perform one of her original songs “That’s Why I Love This Man” in the below video.
Dorothy Dandridge Musical
N’Kenge is the conceiver, producer and lead character in the above-referenced Broadway-bound musical portraying Hollywood’s most beloved Black Star Dorothy Dandridge, a role perfect for her as she shares the same amazing vocal range with the late Hollywood actress.
The Dorothy Dandridge Musical is a joyous, spectacular song and dance celebration of a gorgeous woman pioneer who dared to dream. In addition to a Broadway, London and international tour schedule, it will have a strong 360 strategy that will be accessible on various platforms including an online 50s-60s inspired fashion line which will be created similar to the beautiful costumes seen in the musical’s stage and screen versions. Fans will finally have access to the wardrobe similar to their favorite characters.
N’Kenge is also slated to star in the role of Jazz in another Broadway-bound musical titled “Dangerous,” written by John Introcaso /Michael Colby.
As to her other noteworthy ambitions, N’Kenge is thrilled to have TV producer Gina Goff helming her TV musical series “Black Butterfly” which she created as well as co-wrote with award-winning writer Mary McCallum. “Black Butterfly” follows a beautiful and multi-dimensional aspiring Black opera singer as she leaves family life in Florida to pursue her dreams as a graduate student at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. https://goffproductions.com/posts/black-butterfly
Following is our interview with N’Kenge.
▪ What brought you to this specific career path and who or what influenced you in that decision?
N’Kenge: I have always had a love for music for as long as I can remember. I was very lucky to have my family as cheerleaders every step of the way. My first stage performance at age 10 when I was attending PS 95 in the Bronx was that pivotal moment where I realized singing was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. My mom, Annette Hoffman was the first to begin supporting me and creating the opportunities for me to get the professional training I needed. She sent me to Harlem School of the Arts. My mother was one of the first largest black woman-owned staffing agencies in New York State. It was called Simpson Personnel Services and it was in business for 25 years. We had three regional offices and the one in Tampa was the last office she opened and eventually decided to retire. Due to multiple seizures and strokes, she is currently in a skilled nursing facility which absolutely breaks my heart but she has defeated all odds and I’m blessed to still have her on this earth with me. She was the most amazing mentor anyone could have and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for her love, support, wisdom, and strength. She was a Force! I started working in my mom’s office at the tender age of 10 and learned everything there was to learn about the business of staffing and worked my way up to becoming the Regional Operations Manager which I proudly did part-time while pursuing my degrees in college.
▪ How has your professional experience contributed to your personal growth?
N’Kenge: Wow...I would say in leaps and bounds. I’ve gotten to travel the world with my singing which has given me priceless life-changing personal experiences. As a child, I would be so nervous to be on stage and was shy and my professional experience gave me the confidence to carry myself with pride and be fearless.
▪ What are a few things you wish you had known when you started out in this industry?
N’Kenge: There is such a huge business side related to being a performing artist. I wish I had been taught in the beginning how to read contracts and negotiate. Branding and marketing as well. All these tools are very important and even if an artist is established to have others do these things for them, they usually don’t graduate from school with representation doing this so these skills are always great to have. Artists need to be the full package.
▪ Is there a particular person who helped you to get where you are today who you are grateful to? Who and why?
N’Kenge: It really takes a village honestly from parents, teachers, and mentors. I’m grateful for everyone who truly believed in me and encouraged me to never give up. It started with my mom always being there pushing me past what I thought were my limitations to teachers like the late great Betty Allen at Harlem School of the Arts who would select me to perform at events that gave me opportunities to sing with legends and so many others that made significant impacts on my life and career.
▪ What has been one of your favorite moments in life?
N’Kenge: I will never forget that moment when my mentor Berry Gordy told me that I was going to be singing at President Obama’s Commander-in-Chief’s Inaugural Ball. Being a part of that historical day was definitely an out-of-body experience. THAT monumental day is a moment in history that I will never forget. And what an honor it was to share the stage with the legendary Smokey Robinson as he introduced me to the stage. It was mind-blowing to say the least.
▪ If you could have dinner with any person in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
N’Kenge: Dorothy Dandridge. Creating a musical about this legend is a heavy task and despite all the research and stories you read about Dorothy in order to honor and celebrate her legacy in the right way, I would love to have the opportunity to sit down with her and ask her what untold story about HER life would she want me to tell in this Broadway-bound musical to honor her. Since I didn’t have the chance to have dinner with this great lady, I’m very lucky to have an amazing creative team that has surpassed my expectations of what this show is going to be. Two-time Emmy Winner Trey Ellis is the book writer and lyricist. Broadway’s very own Shelton Becton is the composer and lyricist and I have the wonderful Director, Tony Winner Tamara Tunie.
▪ How would you like to be remembered?
N’Kenge: I would like to be remembered as a multi-faceted artist who inspired and motivated the world throughout her life, a mother who would move the world for her daughter if she had the power to, and a beloved wife who loved her husband passionately and unconditionally.
▪ Are you involved in any charity organization you would like to talk about?
N’Kenge: I am currently on the board of two really wonderful not-for-profit organizations. Amas Musical Theatre is a multi-ethnic theatrical organization that is devoted to the creation, development, and production of new American musicals. https://www.amasmusical.org and CAAPA, Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts is a great organization whose vision is to help promote opportunities for Black classical musicians and others in the performing arts through arts performances, education, and outreach. https://4caapa.org
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In addition to the above-mentioned organizations, N’Kenge is a member of the Board of Directors of the Players Club where she is also the Creator and Chair of the newly formed Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
N’Kenge
Artist | Performer | Vocal Coach | Producer
For more details on N'Kenge's 2021-2022 tour schedule, upcoming TV show, recordings and more, visit her website here https://www.nkengemusic.com