Avril (singer)

Avril
Born Judith Nyambura Mwangi
30 April 1986[1][2]
Nakuru, Kenya
Residence Nairobi, Kenya
Alma mater University of Nairobi
Occupation
  • singer
  • actress
  • songwriter
  • entertainer
Years active 2007–present

Musical career

Genres
  • Afropop
  • R&B
Labels Unsigned (current)
Ogopa Deejays (former)
Associated acts
  • Kenzo
  • A.Y
  • Colonel Mustapha
  • Lam
  • Marya
Website
theavieway.co.ke

Judith Nyambura Mwangi (born 30 April 1986),[1][2] better known by her mononym Avril, is a Kenyan singer-songwriter, actress and entertainer. She was formerly signed to Ogopa Deejays, one of the leading music production and record labels in Kenya.[3] As a singer, she is popularly known for her singles "Mama", "Kitu Kimoja" and "Hakuna Yule". As an actress, she is best known for playing Miss B'Have on Shuga: Love, Sex, Money (2012).[4] Avril's contribution to the Kenyan Entertainment Industry has earned her one Nzumari Award, one Kisima Music Award, one Golden Mic Award and two Chaguo La Teeniez Awards.

Life and career

Biography and music career

Avril was born and raised in Nakuru, the former capital of the Rift Valley Province.[5] She was very active in drama and music festivals whilst in high school. She later relocated to Nairobi to pursue an undergraduate education.[1] In 2005, she partook in the Jaza Lorry initiative and met talent manager Emmanuel Banda of Ogopa Deejays Production. Although Banda tried convincing her to venture into music, Avril remained hesitant at the time. She enrolled at the University of Nairobi in 2006 and studied design. During her second year at UoN, she changed her mind about music and recorded her first single ("Mama") after signing a record deal with Ogopa.[1] The song was released in 2009 and sent to radio stations across Kenya. Avril was later featured on Colonel Mustapha's "Mtaani dot com" (sometimes stylised as "mtaani.com"). The music video for "Mtaani dot com" was released and uploaded onto YouTube on 15 October 2009.[6]

Avril began to gain prominence following her collaboration with A.Y on his 2010 single "Leo Remix". Her collaborative single with Sudanese singer Lam, titled "Changes", was released in Sudan.[1] In November 2010, she was featured on Marya's breakthrough single "Chokoza"; the song was released to critical acclaim and received numerous radio airplay. On 31 January 2012, Avril released her single "Kitu Kimoja". The music video for the song was shot at a resort on the Kenyan coast line.[7] In February 2013, Avril released "Hakuna Yule". The music video for the single was uploaded onto YouTube on 15 February 2013. In January 2014, Avril debunked rumours regarding her exit from Ogopa Deejays and said that the relationship she has with Ogopa executives was built on understanding.[8] In March 2014, Avril was featured on the chorus of Boomba Boyz's 2014 single "Piga Kengele".[9] In July 2014, Avril performed at the Tusker Meru 7 after party.[10]

Acting career

2011–12:Shuga: Love, Sex, Money

Avril made her acting debut in the second season of the television soap opera, Shuga. She played the character Miss B'Have, a vicenarian celebrity singer who is a firm believer in monogamous relationships.[4] She also played Belinda, a minor character. She was offered the roles after auditioning for the producers of the show.[1] In a 2012 interview with Capital Lifestyle, Avril said that playing both characters was therapeutic. She also said that starring in the series was an emotional rollcoaster due to the feelings she developed for her co-star Nick Mutuma. Moreover, she said that starring in the series reminded her about the dangers of HIV/AIDS.[2]

2013–14:Noose of Gold (Season 5)

In February 2013, Laura Walubengo of Africa Magic reported that Avril joined the cast of M-Net's Noose of Gold. She played the role of Corrine, a drug trafficker.[11][12]

Musical infleunces and humanitarian work

Avril has cited Amani, Blu 3, Tiwa Savage, Liquideep, Alicia Keys and Beyoncé as musicians who inspired her. She also cited Michael Jackson, Kenny Rogers, Alicia keys and Beyoncé as her favourite artists. Her inspiration to write and record music stems from her life experiences as well as the experiences of her love ones.[1][13]

Avril has been involved in several humanitarian campaigns, including the Chagua Amani Peace Campaign and Kenya Land Alliance.[14]

Discography

Singles

Year Title Album
2009 "Mama" Non album single
"Mtaani dot com" (Colonel Mustapha featuring Avril)
2010 "Leo Remix" (AY featuring Avril) N/A
"Chokoza" (Marya featuring Avril) Non album single
2012 "Kitu Kimoja" TBA
2013 "Hakuna Yule"
2014 "Piga Kengele" (Boomba Boyz featuring Avril)
"Nikimuona"

Filmography

Films

Films
Year Title Role Notes Ref
TBA Behind The Veil TBA Produced by SpielWorks Media TBA
The Checklist

Television

Television
Year Title Role Notes Ref
2012 Mali N/A Kenya's first soap opera [15]
2013 Shuga (Season 2)
  • Miss B'Have
  • Belinda
Main cast [2]
2013-present Sumu La Penzi Eva Main cast [16]
2014 Noose of Gold (Season 5) Corrine Recurring cast [17]

Awards and nominations

Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2010 Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted East Video "Mama" Nominated [18]
Museke Online Africa Music Awards Best African Collaboration "Leo Remix"
(AY featuring Avril) 		Nominated [19]
Nzumari Awards Best Female Artiste Herself Won [20]
2011 Chaguo La Teeniez Awards Best Female Artiste Won
Golden Mic Awards Most Promising Artiste Won
Teen Choice Awards Best Female Artist Won [1]
Pearl of Africa Music Awards Nominated
Nzumari Awards Best Female Artiste Nominated
2012 Kisima Music Awards Best Boomba Artist Won [21]
Chaguo La Teeniez Awards Best Female Artiste Won [20]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Irura, Eddie (28 October 2012). "Avril – Up Close". filmkenya.co.ke. Film Kenya. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Walubengo, Laura (6 February 2012). "Avril talks Love, Sex and Money". Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  3. ↑ Jay, Mwangi (14 April 2012). "Judith Nyambura-Avril". Kenya Celebrities. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Shuga: Love, Sex, Money -Season 2 – Avril". mtvbase.com. MTV Base. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  5. ↑ "I am not a lesbian, says Avril". Daily Nation. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Colonel Mustapha feat Avril – Mtaani dot Com". Get Mziki. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  7. ↑ Oyugi, Kevin (1 February 2012). "AVRIL'S BRAND NEW 'KITU KIMOJA'". GHAFLA!. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  8. ↑ Muchiri, John (24 January 2014). "Avril: I am not about to leave Ogopa". Daily Nation. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  9. ↑ "'Piga Kengele' by Boomba Boyz feat Avril". Daily Nation. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  10. ↑ "Hakuna Yule Singer, Avril's Electrifying Performance at the Meru 7s". newsKenya.co.ke. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "Avril Plays a Drug Trafficker in "Noose of Gold"". Niaje. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  12. ↑ Walubengo, Laura (8 February 2013). "Avril joins cast of Noose of Gold". Africa Magic. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  13. ↑ "Meet Avril, Kenya recording artist". Kenyanizer. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  14. ↑ "Chagua Amani Peace Campaign Launched". Kenya Red Cross. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "New TV drama promises to be the game changer". Daily Nation. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  16. ↑ "SUMU LA PENZI". Spielworks Media. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  17. ↑ Kerongo, Grace (8 February 2013). "Kenya: Avril Bags Villain Role in M-Net Series". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  18. ↑ "Channel O Music Video Awards 2010 Nominees Announced! Find Out Who Made The Cut". Bellanaija. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  19. ↑ "2010 MOAMAs Award Nominees". MOAMAs. 6 March 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Avril Achievements". Ogopa Deejays. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  21. ↑ Wagwau, Adam (3 November 2012). "Full Winners' List: Kisima Awards 2012". GHAFLA!. Retrieved 9 August 2014.

External links

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