Kenyan superstar Nikita Kering is rolling out the red carpet for her first studio EP since her highly successful 2022 effort, The Other Side. Stream here
The Lick Back EP is set to drop on May 29, following a plethora of singles and features over the years, as well as successful projects that have positioned Nikita as one of the most bona fide household names in East Africa’s music scene. The intervening years also included her highly publicized departure from her blockbuster record deal, having become the first Kenyan female artist to sign with Universal Music Group South Africa.
“The EP is about getting my revenge for everything to everyone. Kinda like taking things into my own hands and being unapologetic. We’re all going through a tough time in this world; I think it’s time someone speaks on it.”
Nikita shared while discussing the inspiration behind the project.
The “Last Name” singer has already teased the artwork and tracklist to a resounding reception online, with fans sharing their excitement ahead of the project’s release this Friday.
The multi-award-winning songstress taps East Africa’s currently highest-streamed artist, Sofiya Nzau, known for her floating vernacular delivery on hits such as “Mwaki,” which has amassed close to half a billion streams on Spotify alone.
“I started working on the intro and it sounded quite tribal. Then I remembered wanting to work with Sofiya for a while and it all just clicked. I hit her up and she was really willing to do it. We got into the studio and the ideas just flowed. She showed me how to sing in Kikuyu, which was really cool! I’m so glad she agreed to be on the song; she’s the perfect addition to the EP.”
Nikita revealed about the collaboration, which blends their Kikuyu and Nandi roots on the opening track.
Lick Back is a five-track project that reflects Nikita stepping into a new era. Combining elements of R&B, dancehall riddims, and splashes of Gengetone, the EP mirrors her high-school musical influences, reimagined for a modern audience.
She effortlessly blends English, Swahili, and Patois across different tracks, experiments with rap, and maintains a playful yet fearless approach that balances her authentic cultural identity with global appeal.
Thematically, the body of work explores relatable subjects. On “Niwache” — Swahili for “Leave Me Alone” — Nikita establishes emotional boundaries, warning lovers to either love her properly or leave her alone. On “Give Me My Money,” she tackles themes of self-worth, calling out promoters and business partners who seek to exploit or undervalue her.
Power-reclamation anthem “Outside” finds her thriving after heartbreak rather than dwelling on it, showcasing her resilience and confidence. The EP closes with “Sema Ukweli,” a return to familiar ballad territory where she reflects on a lover who repeatedly leaves and returns, seeking honesty, clarity, and groundedness rather than confusion, even when the truth is difficult to hear. “Sema Ukweli” translates to “Tell the Truth” in Swahili.
Production on the project was handled by a talented roster of Kenyan producers, including hitmaker Vic West, Cap, and Brim.
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