Amani (musician)
| Amani | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Cecilia Wairimu |
| Born | 28 November 1980 Thika, Kiambu, Kenya |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Ogopa Deejays |
| Associated acts | Nameless |
Cecilia Wairimu (born 28 November 1980),[1] better known by her stage name Amani, is a Kenyan pop, R&B singer-songwriter. Her contributions to the Kenyan music industry has earned her several coveted accolades, including the Best Female category at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards, Pearl of Africa Music Awards, Kisima Awards and Chaguo La Teeniez Awards. She released her debut album in 2006.[2]
Contents
Career
Beginnings
She went to Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School, where she was part of the accapella group Sobriety. Amani signed to Ogopa Deejays in 1999, soon after graduating from high school. In 2000 she joined United States International University to study International Business Administration.
Career breakthrough: 2000–06; Tamani
Her first single "Move on" was a radio hit, and was followed by hits single "Tahidi" and "Papii" in 2001 [3][4] Her 2002 collaboration with Nameless 'Ninanoki', was a major national hit.[3] Her later singles include "Talk to You" (featuring Patonee and Big Pin), "Bad Boy" (featuring Nyashinski of Kleptomaniax), Usiwe Mbali (featuring AY), "Tamani", "Missing My Baby" and "Tonight".[3]
She is currently the brand Ambassador for Airtel Kenya.
Her debut album Tamani was released in 2006 .[5] She has toured in the United States, Norway, Germany, United Kingdom, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda and performed in Dubai, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Liberia and Djibouti. .[5]
2010–present: Grand comeback to music industry
She has recently been signed to Sony Music under Rockstar 4000 (2010). She recently worked on a ground breaking song with International R n B singer R. Kelly alongside top African stars like Ali Kiba, Navio, Fally Ipupa, 2face Idibia, JK, 4*4 and Movazeleine. The song titled 'Hands Across the World' made it to the billboard 100 and had over 1 million downloads in Africa.
In 2013, she paired with Uganda's dancehall duo Radio & Weasel in the making of the single "Kiboko Changu", the lead sing-off for her latest album. In 2015, she released the single, "Kizungu Zungu".[6][7] On July 2015 she dropped yet another audio, "Heartbreak".[8] It is mainly tuned with reggae and dancehall influences.[9] The video was officially released on 8 September 2015. The video was shot in Nairobi's Garden Estate.[8]
Discography
Singles and studio albums
| Year | Single | Album | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "Move On" | Tamani | |
| 2001 | "Tahidi" | ||
| "Papii" | |||
| 2002 | "Ninanoki" (Amani featuring Nameless) | [10] | |
| 2006 | "Missing My Baby" | [11] | |
| 2008 | "Usiwe Mbali Nami" (Amani featuring AY) | TBA | [12] |
| 2009 | "Tonight" | ||
| 2013 | "Kiboko Changu" (Amani featuring Radio & Weasel) | [13] | |
| 2015 | "Kizungu Zungu" | [14] | |
| "Heartbreak" | [8] |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Association | Award | Nominated work | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Chaguo La Teeniez Awards | Best Female Artist |
|
Nominated | [15] |
| 2006 | 2006 Kisima Music Awards | Female Artiste of the year | Won | [16] | |
| Collabo of the year | "Bad Boy" with Nyashiski | Won | [16] | ||
| CHAT Awards | Favourite Female Artiste |
|
Won | [15] | |
| Favourite Song | Won | [15] | |||
| Favourite Collabo | Won | [15] | |||
| Pearl of Africa Music Awards | Best Kenyan Female Artiste | Nominated | [17] | ||
| 2007 | 2007 Kisima Music Awards | Boomba Female | Won | [18] | |
| Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) | Best Female Artist (Kenya) | Won | [19] | ||
| Tanzania Music Awards | Best East African Song | "Bad Boy" | Won | [20] | |
| 2008 | Tanzania Music Awards | Best East African Song | "Missing My Baby" | Nominated | [21] |
| Channel O Music Video Awards | Best R&B video in Africa | Nominated | [22] | ||
| Best East African Song | Nominated | [22] | |||
| 2009 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Best Female Video | "Tonight" | Nominated | [23] |
| Best R&B video | Nominated | [23] | |||
| Best East African | [23] | ||||
| Video of the Year | [23] | ||||
| MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 | Best Female |
|
Won | [24] | |
| 2014 | MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 | Best Collaboration | "Kiboko Changu" featuring Radio and Weasel | Nominated | [25] |
Recognitions
- Pure and Natural Most Inspiring Young Woman 2010.
- Pearl of Africa Music Award-Best Female Artist 2010
References
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- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Standard, October 30, 2009: Amani’s road to the top
- ↑ Daily Nation, Young Nation magazine, February 22, 2004: THE STARS: What really shaped their lives?
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Standard, Pulse Magazine, August 8, 2008: Amani:
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 The Standard, Pulse Magazine, May 5, 2006: The chosen few
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Kisima Awards - Winners 2006
- ↑ Musicuganda.com: PAM 2006 nominees
- ↑ Kisima Awards - Winners 2007
- ↑ Museke: Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) awards 2007 winners - Uganda
- ↑ Tanzania Music Awards - 2007 Nominees
- ↑ Tanzania Music Awards - 2008 Nominees
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Music Industry Online: 2008 Channel O Music Video Awards Nominees
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Museke: 2009 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards nominees
- ↑ Museke: MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2009 winners
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
