Kenyan singer-songwriter Xenia Manasseh recently made waves with her appearance on the immensely popular YouTube live concert series, Tiny Desk.
As part of US R&B singer Berhana’s performance, Xenia joined as one of the backup vocalists, alongside Josef Lamercier from New Orleans and Tasan Thompson from the UK. The Tiny Desk show, hosted by NPR, showcased Berhana’s soulful music, with a touch of East African rhythms provided by the Ethio Cali band.
Berhana, based in Atlanta with Ethiopian heritage, adorned a traditional Ethiopian scarf during the performance, expressing gratitude for the moment and the connections it brings. Xenia, credited as Xenia Karungu, was acknowledged on the official NPR Tiny Desk website for her contribution as a backup vocalist.
Xenia took to her social media platforms to share her excitement about singing backing vocals for the talented artist NPR Music’s Tiny Desk series. In her heartfelt post, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity, praising Berhana’s album and visuals.
“Got to sing bgvs for this wonderful human @berhana on @nprmusic Tiny Desk, so so happy for you. Dropped one of my favorite albums last year! & visuals!! Repping the EA. Plant the seeds of the life you want with intent & watch the flowers grow .. always do your best & stay grateful. There’s a joy to be found in every moment & experience & it does make things like this feel so incredible. Go show my g all the love,” she posted.
Beyond her musical endeavors, Xenia earned recognition from Apple Music as one of Africa’s ‘Ones To Watch’ in 2023. She’s also been selected for Spotify’s global EQUAL and RADAR ambassador programs. With a background from Berklee College of Music, Xenia continues to captivate audiences with her talent and authentic expression.
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Xenia’s journey in the music industry includes writing for international acts like Teyana Taylor and Big Sean. She’s collaborated with notable Kenyan artists like Sauti Sol and Miss Karun. Her debut album, “Love/Hate Pt. 1,” released in September, features 11 tracks brimming with raw emotion and soulful melodies.
