Mereba
Marian Mereba, better known mononymously as Mereba, (born September 19, 1990), is an American singer, songwriter, and producer.[1]
Mereba | |
---|---|
Birth name | Marian Mereba |
Born | September 19, 1990 |
Genres | R&B, soul |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2013–present |
Associated acts |
Early Life
Born on September 19, 1990[2], Mereba was raised in Philadelphia, and developed an interest in music at age 4.[1] Starting with singing, Mereba eventually learned to play piano, and then guitar. [3] Mereba's parents moved frequently to accommodate their jobs as university professors.[1] Mereba went to high school in Greensboro, North Carolina.[4][5] She also spent nearly a year living in Ethiopia, her father's home country.[3][4]
Education
After graduating high school at 17, Mereba continued her education at her parents' insistence, attending Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.[1] She eventually transferred in 2009 to the liberal arts women's college Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, seeking to immerse herself in its black culture. [1][3] Mereba graduated from Spelman with an English degree and a Music minor.[1]
Career
2000's: Early Work
While she was studying at Spelman, Mereba spent some time signed to Def Jam, songwriting for other artists.[1]
2013–2017: Room For Living, Radio Flyer, and Spillage Village
In 2013, Mereba self-released Room For Living EP, under her full name.[6]
A follow up EP, Radio Flyer, was slated for release on July 29, 2014[1], under Atlanta record label Red Kotton[3], but it was never released. Two lead singles from the EP, "September" and "Radio Flyer" later appeared on the 2017 EP, Kotton House, Vol. 1, which was released through Jam Solutions/Remote Control Music.
Mereba collaborated with Atlanta hip-hop collective Spillage Village on their 2015 release, Bears Like This Too.[7] She also has collaborations with Spillage Village members EARTHGANG[8][9], JID[10], and 6LACK[11][12], on numerous projects.
2018–2019: The Jungle Is The Only Way Out
In 2018, Mereba was signed by Interscope Records.[13] Singles "Black Truck" and "Planet U" were released in 2018,[14][15] and would go on to appear in her debut album, The Jungle Is The Only Way Out, released February 27, 2019.[16][17] Earmilk reviewed the album, stating "As an album serving to break through to the masses, this album will undoubtedly provide the measuring stick to which all future releases are compared to."[18]
Influences
Mereba cites her Ethiopian heritage as a major influence on her music. Other musical influences include Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., TLC, Alanis Morissette, Madonna, Michael Jackson,Nirvana, and Tracy Chapman.
Discography
Studio Albums
Title | Album details |
---|---|
The Jungle Is The Only Way Out |
|
EPs
Title | Album details |
---|---|
Room For Living EP |
|
Radio Flyer EP |
|
Kotton House, Vol. 1 – EP |
|
Singles
Title | Released |
---|---|
"September" | June 1, 2014 |
"Radio Flyer" | June 24, 2014 |
"Bet" | September 5, 2016 |
"Black Truck" | February 9, 2018 |
"Planet U" | September 27, 2018 |
"Late Bloomer" | December 20, 2018[19] |
"Sandstorm" | February 25, 2019[20] |
Guest Appearances
Title | Year | Artist | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"UFOs" | 2013 | EARTHGANG | Shallow Graves For Toys |
"Ultra Rare" | EARTHGANG | Shallow Graves For Toys | |
"Grand Theft Auto" | JID | Para Tu | |
"Church" | 2014 | Miloh Smith | Pulp Fiction |
"Good Night" | CyHi The Prynce | Black Hystori Project | |
"Lucky Buddha" | JID & Money Makin' Nique | Lucky Buddha | |
"Calypso" | Khary | Swim Team EP | |
"Fryin'" | 2015 | Spillage Village | Bears Like This Too |
"Love Child" | Spillage Village | Bears Like This Too | |
"Liquor Sto'" | EARTHGANG | Strays With Rabies | |
"Lady Nectarine" | EARTHGANG | Strays With Rabies | |
"Letters" | JID | N/A[21] | |
"Off The Lot" | 2018 | EARTHGANG | Royalty |
"PTSD" | 2019 | Dreamville | Revenge of the Dreamers III |
References
- Martin, Syreeta (2016-07-22). "[BLACK, FRESH & 20-SOMETHING]Singer/Songwriter Marian Mereba". EBONY. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
- https://twitter.com/Mereba/status/1174838716788948992
- "INTERVIEW: Marian Mereba on her musical journey, her tree hugging ways & the Atlanta music scene". AFROPUNK. 2014-09-16. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
- "Mereba Is a Musician Who Thrives on Discomfort". www.lofficielusa.com. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
- "Mereba". Spotify. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
- "Room For Living EP, by Marian Mereba". Marian Mereba. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- "Bears Like This Too by Spillage Village". Genius. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- EARTHGANG (Ft. Mereba) – Off the Lot, retrieved 2019-03-16
- EARTHGANG (Ft. Mereba) – Liquor Sto', retrieved 2019-03-16
- JID (Ft. Mereba) – All Bad, retrieved 2019-03-16
- 6LACK – Learn Ya, retrieved 2019-03-16
- 6LACK (Ft. Future) – East Atlanta Love Letter, retrieved 2019-03-16
- Kermah, Jonathan. "Mereba, Solange and black women leading the charge in music". Amherst Wire. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- Kim, Michelle (October 1, 2018). ""Planet U" by Mereba (review)". Pitchfork.
- "10 songs you need in your life this week". The FADER. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
- "Mereba Relays Emotionally-Layered Dynamism in 'The Jungle is the Only Way Out'". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
- Lyle, Ashley (2019-02-28). "Mereba Captivates Her Audience During "The Jungle Is The Only Way Out" Listening". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
- Jones, Craig. "Album Review: Mereba – The Jungle Is The Only Way Out". EARMILK. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
- "Mereba Delivers New Single "Late Bloomer"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- Spencer, Tallie. "Mereba Delivers Silky New Single 'Sandstorm' With J.I.D.: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- Thomas, Amara. "J.I.D Premieres Reflective New Single, "Letter"". The Fader. Retrieved 14 May 2019.