Menkenja

Menkenja is a singer/songwriter couple comprised of Rick and Martine Baksteen. Their contemporary Christian music (CCM) is inspired by their cultural background. A variety of music styles can be heard in the songs: from lively piano ballads to atmospheric electronic sounds, sometimes with a touch of traditional African music. All their songs are original, personal, and authentic: linked to specific circumstances or events, always with a hopeful note.

Menkenja comes from the African Makaa word “mƏnkenja” meaning “light”. The Makaa language was spoken in the small African town called Abong Mbang where songwriter and composer Martine Baksteen was born to missionary parents.

Rick and Martine met in church, where their mutual love of composing brought them together. Their friendship grew through many casual recording sessions, and they were married in the spring of 2019.

Though songwriting originally started as a hobby and an outlet for Martine, she gradually realized it could become more. As she shared her songs, she found that the words were not only therapeutic for herself, but they could also serve to encourage other listeners. Hoping to reach the world with uplifting and inspiring music, they released Bare Feet in the Dust in January 2020.

Find out more at: https://www.menkenja.com/