Mereba is an artist whom most people have difficulty categorizing. These days, multi-hyphenate is a descriptor thrown around far too loosely. However, if there was ever any entertainer deserving of the label, it’s her.
Whether you’ve been a day one Spillage Village supporter or Kendrick Lamar’s co-sign led you to Mereba’s discography, once you are hip to the singer, rapper, songwriter, poet, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, there is no going back. But Mereba’s most overlooked classification is what makes her expressive contributions so damn irresistible–revolutionary. When Mereba confidently glided onto Webster Hall’s stage on May 14 as part of the Breeze Grew A Fire Tour, that became abundantly clear.
Since the supporting project’s release in February, her official solo sophomore studio album, Mereba fans have been slowly processing its core message–unadulterated love. Although self-love is atop the list, love of community follows closely after. Outlined by luminous stage lights created an ethereal halo effect, and with “White Doves” as the set opener, Mereba laid out the evening’s tone, to which all 1,500 concertgoers in attendance instantly met with thunderous applause. What was the message, you ask? There were two. Firstly, faith in love is a preventative measure, a cure, and an answer to most problems. Next, a healing piece of God’s grace resides within everyone, but it is up to you to keep it protected from the wickedness of this world. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself chipping away at what was perfectly and divinely made. As a result, you usher in issues that wouldn’t have existed otherwise.
“I’m only human / I was just searching for another person / To give love to / Oh, the game left me jaded / Baby, please, if you’re looking for a little something more / My love / Yeah, you seem super sweet, but you need what’s good for you / Not drugs,” Mereba angelically sang to open her nearly two hour sonic sermon.
While her message is more political than preachy, spirituality is far from abandoned during a Mereba performance. Rather than lean into the modest religious boxy white robe uniform, Mereba’s flashy silk cyan two-piece set served as a metaphorical reference to the gravitational push and pull nature of water (as an environmental element and a vital component of your anatomy). Even deeper, it spoke to the never-ending fight to maintain balance, as an individual but also as a society. Mereba’s spirited performance of “Ever Needed,” “Counterfeit,” and AZEB’s “Rider” provided assurances that this wave of realignment isn’t a journey you’d be forced to forge alone. When you find yourself in need of a boost, your village is there, ready, willing, and able, to prop you up.
“Your essence makes you exactly who you are, which makes it all worth it,” Mereba gently affirmed to the crowd.
Mereba is no messiah. Hell, her message is far from original. Still, given the economic, political, and social climate of today, it is a belief that has apparently been abandoned. In the next section of tunes, which included oldies and current songs (“Planet U,” “Yo Love,” “Out Of The Blue,” and “Starlight (Baby)”), Mereba reminded fans of the transformative impact of love. Considering the nearly inescapable hotly contested gender war discourse and the rise of detrimental modern dating shows online, you’d think intimacy is no longer needed. Mereba not only disproved this ideology but, through song, she demonstrated why it is important now more than ever.
Like a moth to a flame, throughout the night, you find yourself drawn into Mereba’s essence. Yes, her self-described “medicinal music” is why you copped tickets to the show. However, you realized Mereba’s unwavering morality is what has you anchored to the square foot you’ve craved out for yourself in the famous New York City grand ballroom. Mereba’s stance on romantic love, love of self, love for family, and her people is intoxicatingly radicalizing. Backdropped by her name stylized in the Amharic alphabet (a beautiful nod to her Ethiopian culture) and luscious box braids tucked behind her ears, Mereba’s pro-Black stance is loud and proud. Despite the physical, legislative, and social harm that often follows that, Mereba remains steadfast because for Mereba, pro-Black means pro-community (those living and who have passed on).
“I don’t shy away from revolutionary topics,” declared Mereba, calling for the end of global genocides in Sudan, Congo, and Gaza.
But as far as Mereba’s lyrical substance goes, nothing is more revolutionary than loving yourself in an environment set up for the opposite. Mereba embodied this statement as she and her band walked into The Jungle Is The Only Way Out’s “Kinfolk.” All in all, Mereba’s Breeze Grew A Fire Tour blazed a trail back to spiritual oneness, alignment of self, village revitalization, and above all else, unadulterated love.
Mereba’s new album The Breeze Grew A Fire is available on digital streaming platforms Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Tidal.
Do you want more of Mereba? Stay connected with her on your preferred social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.
Setlist
- “White Doves”
- “Ever Needed”
- “Rider”
- “Counterfeit”
- “Planet U”
- “Yo Love”
- “Out Of The Blue”
- “Starlight (Baby)”
- “Meteorite”
- “PsalmSing” (Spillage Village song)
- “Ghost Ride”
- “Heatwave”
- “Kinfolk”
- “Stay Tru”
- “Phone Me”
- “Love Is Stronger Than Pride” (Sade cover)
- “Beretta”
- “Heart Of A Child”
- “Sandstorm”
-Encore-
- “Bet”
- “You Send Me”
- “Black Truck”
