Kenya’s rising R&B star Njerae, whose real name is Njeri Mwengi, is carving out her place on the global stage while championing women in music.

In a candid interview on ‘This Friday with Betty’ on TV47, she revealed how recent milestones have transformed her career and opened doors to international recognition.

Last year, Njerae signed a record deal with Universal Music East Africa, a move she admits came as a surprise.

“They just came out of nowhere,” she explained. “I had always been someone who said I want to be an independent artist, but now the label came and I was like, yes.”

The deal has already led to major collaborations with international artists including Preston Pablo, Rwanda’s Ish Kevin, and U.S.-based Casey Pluto.

These partnerships, she says, are helping her grow not just as a musician but also as a creative voice beyond Kenya’s borders.

Her rising profile has also earned her recognition from Spotify, which named her a Spotify Equal Ambassador in July.

The initiative shines a spotlight on female artists across the globe, giving them more visibility in a competitive industry.

For Njerae, this honor is about more than personal success, it represents a shift for women in music.

“We can also come into these spaces and conquer,” she said, highlighting how more women are now stepping into roles as producers, performers, and decision-makers in the industry.

Despite her growing fame, Njerae remains grounded, often reflecting on how far she has come from her early days in Mombasa.

Her passion, she says, lies not only in making music but also in inspiring young girls to pursue their dreams in spaces traditionally dominated by men.

With her soulful sound, raw honesty, and relentless drive, Njerae is proving that she is more than just a rising star, she is a trailblazer for the next generation of Kenyan musicians.