Marian Azeb Mereba (born September 19, 1990), known mononymously as Mereba, is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer.[3]
Early life and education
Mereba was born in Montgomery, Alabama on September 19, 1990,[citation needed] and raised in Pennsylvania. Her father is from Ethiopia.[4][5] Her mother is African American and was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[6] Her family moved frequently because of her parents' jobs as university professors.[3]
Mereba first developed an interest in music at age four.[3] She began writing songs in elementary school and learned to play the piano and guitar.[4] She went to high school in Greensboro, North Carolina.[5][7]
2013–2017: Room For Living, Radio Flyer, and Spillage Village
After several years performing in the indie music scene in Atlanta, Mereba self-released her debut project Room For Living EP, under her full name, on February 14, 2013.[8]
2018–2019, 2021: The Jungle is the Only Way Out & "Glock Peaceful"
In 2018, Mereba signed to Interscope Records,[9] releasing the singles "Black Truck" and "Planet U",[10][11] which went on to appear on her debut album, The Jungle Is The Only Way Out, released February 27, 2019.[12][13] The album, often acronymed as TJITOWO, was written and produced by Mereba with co-production by Samuel Hoffman, excluding the 9th Wonder-produced track, "Black Truck".
On December 13, 2021, Mereba released "Glock Peaceful", which envisions a country free of gun violence and police brutality.[14] The song was featured on season 5 of the show Insecure produced by Issa Rae on HBO Max.[15]
2024-present: The Breeze Grew a Fire
In October 2024, it was announced Mereba signed a deal with Secretly Canadian, releasing the single "Counterfeit", which served as the lead single to her upcoming second album The Breeze Grew a Fire. The album is scheduled to be released on February 14, 2025.[16]
Influences
Mereba has cited Stevie Wonder as a mentor and musical influence.[17][18] In 2017, she performed alongside Wonder in Malibu.[19]