The ‘80s and ‘90s saw ground-breaking artist Neneh Cherry pave the way for the development of hip hop, trip hop and dance music. The release of her worldwide hit single ‘Buffalo Stance’ from her debut album Raw Like Sushi (1989) threw Neneh Cherry into mainstream fame. Since then, she has rightfully been heralded as a musical icon.

Beginning in the post-punk scene, Neneh Cherry performed with bands such as The Cherries, Rip Rig + Panic and the Slits. Neneh Cherry’s career has seen her move between rapper, singer, songwriter and producer and collaborate with a wide range of artists including Pulp, Gorillaz and The The.

In 2018 Neneh Cherry released her acclaimed fifth studio album Broken Politics, masterfully touching on themes including the refugee crisis, violence and the current state of political chaos. Neneh Cherry’s latest singles ‘Synchronised Devotion’ and ‘Natural Skin Deep’ further demonstrate her skill for writing lyrically charged, dynamic protest songs that raise questions on self-hood in turbulent times. In regard to Broken Politics, Pitchfork Magazine stated that “Few artists can craft such a minimalist, forward-thinking protest song some three decades into their career…Cherry makes the task look easy”.

Following the release of her arresting album, Neneh Cherry is gracing Leeds University Stylus in what promises to be an incredible gig.

Phoebe Berman

Header image via Wolfgang Tillmans