On Wednesday, February 27th, up-and-coming R&B artist Mereba held a listening party for her debut album The Jungle is the Only Way Out at Urban Outfitters Space 15 Twenty in Los Angeles, California. This exciting event featured Mereba herself performing a live set with sultry vocals that kept the crowd mesmerized all night long.
Mereba’s album is a musical collection about realizing the power of finding the silver lining within the trials of everyday life. Though she is best known for her collaborations with Grammy-nominated 6LACK, as well as artists J.I.D and EARTHGANG, Mereba’s debut shows she is a force to be reckoned with.
With an African-themed ambiance and a hazy purple and blue color scheme, the event space came alive, embracing the beauty of Ethiopian culture. Mereba paid homage to her roots with a beautiful Ethiopian coffee ritual; this special ceremony signifies an occasion in which family and friends are to spend time catching up. During this ritual, coffee beans were roasted and the coffee was blessed before the start of Mereba’s musical set. Vodka and whiskey cocktails were served, along with Ethiopian honey wine, also a tribute to Mereba’s roots.
6LACK was in attendance, supporting Mereba as she blended spoken word and wistful lyrics inspired by her own personal experiences and struggles in life. Her new 13-track album features heartfelt material spanning across all aspects of life, love, loss, and overcoming, through songs like “Heatwave,” “Kinfolk,” and “On the Rocks.” Except for the track “Black Truck,” Mereba co-produced / produced each song on this album, as well as oversaw the creative side of the project as the executive director.
From the moment she began, Mereba wowed the intimate audience with a mixture of spoken word and soul stimulating songs from her masterful album. Guests experienced the passion of a dedicated artist’s soul through her rousing performance.