Amani (musician)

Amani
Birth name Cecilia Wairimu
Born (1980-11-28) 28 November 1980
Thika, Kiambu, Kenya
Origin Nairobi, Kenya
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
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,[2] is a Kenyan singer and songwriter. Her contributions to the Kenyan music industry have 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.[3]

Career

Beginnings

Amani attended Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School, where she was part of the accapella group Sobriety. She signed a record deal with Ogopa Deejays in 1999, right after graduating from high school. She enrolled at the United States International University in 2000 and studied international business administration.

Career breakthrough: 2000–06; Tamani

Her debut single "Move On" was a radio hit. She released her follow-up singles "Tahidi" and "Papii" in 2001.[4][5] Her 2002 collaboration with Nameless, titled "Ninanoki", was a major national hit.[4] 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".[4]

She is currently the brand Ambassador for Airtel Kenya.

Her debut album, Tamani, was released in 2006.[6] She has toured in the United States, Norway, Germany, United Kingdom, Namibia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Moreover, she has performed in Dubai, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Liberia and Djibouti.[6]

2010–present: Grand comeback to music industry

In 2010, Amani was featured on "Hands Across The World", a song written and produced by R Kelly. The song serves as the first release for the African supergroup One 8, composed of Amani, Ali Kiba, Navio, Fally Ipupa, 2face Idibia, JK, 4x4, and Movaizhaleine. Described as "an uplifting ballad" by Billboard's Diane Coetzer, the song was released by Rockstar 4000 Music Entertainment.[7][8]

In 2013, she worked with Uganda's dancehall duo Radio & Weasel to release the song "Kiboko Changu", which serves as the lead single off her latest album. In 2015, she released the single "Kizungu Zungu".[9][10] In July 2015, she released the reggae and dancehall-influenced song "Heartbreaker".[11][12] Its music video was shot at Nairobi's Garden Estate and officially released on 8 September 2015.[11]

Discography

Singles and studio albums

Year Single Album Ref(s)
2000 "Move On" Tamani
2001 "Tahidi"
"Papii"
2002 "Ninanoki" (Amani featuring Nameless) [13]
2006 "Missing My Baby" [14]
2008 "Usiwe Mbali Nami" (Amani featuring AY) TBA [15]
2009 "Tonight"
2013 "Kiboko Changu" (Amani featuring Radio & Weasel) [16]
2015 "Kizungu Zungu" [17]
"Heartbreaker" [11][18]

Awards and nominations

Year Association Award Nominated work Result Ref(s)
2002 Chaguo La Teeniez Awards Best Female Artist
—
 Nominated [19]
2006 2006 Kisima Music Awards Female Artiste of the year Won [20]
Collabo of the year "Bad Boy" with Nyashiski Won [20]
CHAT Awards Favourite Female Artiste
—
 Won [19]
Favourite Song Won [19]
Favourite Collabo Won [19]
Pearl of Africa Music Awards Best Kenyan Female Artiste Nominated [21]
2007 2007 Kisima Music Awards Boomba Female Won [22]
Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) Best Female Artist (Kenya) Won [23]
Tanzania Music Awards Best East African Song "Bad Boy" Won [24]
2008 Tanzania Music Awards Best East African Song "Missing My Baby" Nominated [25]
Channel O Music Video Awards Best R&B video in Africa Nominated [26]
Best East African Song Nominated [26]
2009 Channel O Music Video Awards Best Female Video "Tonight" Nominated [27]
Best R&B video Nominated [27]
Best East African [27]
Video of the Year [27]
MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 Best Female
—
 Won [28]
2014 MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 Best Collaboration "Kiboko Changu" featuring Radio and Weasel Nominated [29]

Recognitions

References

  1. ↑ "Amani's biography". Ghafla!. 26 Oct 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  2. ↑ "CECILIA WAIRIMU BIOGRAPHY | DAILY NATION WAKENYA". wakenya.co.ke. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  3. ↑ "Amani (Musician)". In.com. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 The Standard, October 30, 2009: Amani’s road to the top
  5. ↑ Daily Nation, Young Nation magazine, February 22, 2004: THE STARS: What really shaped their lives?
  6. 1 2 The Standard, Pulse Magazine, August 8, 2008: Amani:
  7. ↑ Diane Coetzer (19 November 2010). "R. Kelly Backs African Supergroup". Billboard. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  8. ↑ Emily Wither; Teo Kermeliotis (22 February 2011). "R. Kelly backs African supergroup tipped for global stardom". CNN. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  9. ↑ Syombua, Pauline (9 March 2015). "New Music: Amani- Kizungu Zungu". Niaje. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  10. ↑ Ndung'u, Tony (13 March 2015). "Amani Unmasked: Details Of Her Video Shoot That You Didn't Know!". Ghafla!. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 "New Music Video: Amani’s comeback continues with release of "Heartbreaker"". 98.4 Capital FM. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  12. ↑ Kingsley, David (30 July 2015). "Amani Finally Drops Heartbreaker (Audio)". Niaje. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  13. ↑ Baba Ghafla (21 August 2009). "Ninanoki". Ghafla!. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  14. ↑ "Missing My Baby". Ghafla!. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  15. ↑ "Usiwe Mbali". EA Tube. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  16. ↑ Gitei, Wangui (10 May 2013). "Kenyan pop diva Amani releases new single". 98.4 Capital FM. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  17. ↑ Ndanu, Carole (12 March 2015). "Singer Amani Releases New Video- ‘Kizungu Kizungu’ (Video)". Niaje. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  18. ↑ "Amani - Heartbreaker". Kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  19. 1 2 3 4 The Standard, Pulse Magazine, May 5, 2006: The chosen few
  20. 1 2 Kisima Awards - Winners 2006
  21. ↑ Musicuganda.com: PAM 2006 nominees
  22. ↑ Kisima Awards - Winners 2007 Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  23. ↑ Museke: Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) awards 2007 winners - Uganda
  24. ↑ Tanzania Music Awards - 2007 Nominees
  25. ↑ Tanzania Music Awards - 2008 Nominees
  26. 1 2 Music Industry Online: 2008 Channel O Music Video Awards Nominees
  27. 1 2 3 4 Museke: 2009 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards nominees
  28. ↑ Museke: MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2009 winners
  29. ↑ "Mafikizolo, Uhuru, Davido lead nominations for MTV Africa Music Awards". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
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