Victoria Kimani

Victoria Kimani
Born (1985-07-28) 28 July 1985
Los Angeles, California, U.S
Residence KENYA
Citizenship USA
Occupation
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • entertainer
  • dancer
  • actress
Years active 2009–present
Relatives
  • Bamboo (brother)
  • Kimya Miyaki (brother)
Musical career
Genres
Instruments Vocals
Associated acts

Victoria Kimani (born 28 July 1985)[1] is an American-born Kenyan singer, songwriter, actress and entertainer. She is currently signed to Chocolate City and is described as the record label's first lady.[2][3] As a singer, she is popularly known for her numerous hits and sense of style.[4] Her penetration into the African music industry has earned her a number of nominations, with her singles receiving numerous airplay across Africa.[5] She announced that her debut album may be out on the onset of 2016.[6][7] Apart from singing, she has appeared in the film 7 Inch Curve,[8] a movie that talks about an upcoming singer that decides to make a wrong decision and change for the worst.[9] The movie is directed by Shola Thompson.[10][11][12]

Kimani has also been outspoken on issues like male chauvinism and women empowerment in conjunction with the ONE Campaign.[13] Having collaborated with other African female singers, in the making of an inspirational song "Strong Girl". On woman empowerment, Kimani has also stated that women struggle to make ends meet thanks to the choice of career they have. She defends models, singers, dancers, entertainers, presenters, business women, PR, managers, PA's, singers, stylists, DJ’s and designers.[14]

Life and career

Biography and music career

Kimani was born in Los Angeles, California to clergy parents and she is the youngest of her two older brothers.[15] She grew up partly in Benin City, Nigeria while her parents were there doing missionary work. She began singing at the age of 9 until the age of 16 when she began performing alongside other church choir members as a back-up and writing songs for others.[2][15] On moving back to her mother country, Kenya, she joined campus where she also did back-ups for Mercy Mara where she had to travel a lot. She later opted to drop out to fully pursue a career in music.[4]

2010-2012; Stepping into music scenery

In 2010, she performed a remix of Ice Prince’s hit single OLEKU (remixed by Nathaniel Williams Jr.), and from this caught the attention of Chocolate City executives. In late 2012, she signed into Nigeria's music label Chocolate City,[16] based in Kenya as the first female artist to sign into the label, where she released her first single under the label, "Mtoto", Swahili word for Child later in March 2013.[17] The video was shot in Los Angeles[18]

2013-15; Numerous mixtapes, Whoa, M'Toto, Show, Prokoto

Subsequently she released several mixtapes namely; "Oya", "Heaven", "Hate Me", "Open Up Your Heart", "F.U.M.F", "Do What You Want" and "Freaks" (refix).[19][20] In 2014, she released yet another single, "Show", produced by singer and producer Tekno Miles.[21] Later in 2014, she released "Prokoto", a congolese word that means "Swagger.[22] She featured Tanzanian artists, Diamond Platnumz and Ommy Dimpoz.[23]

2015–16; Vex, ONE Campaign, Two of Dem, Loving You, Booty Bounce

In February 2015, Kimani joined forces with divas; Cynthia Morgan and Emma Nyra and released the video, "Vex".[24] On 23 July 2015, she released a new video, "Two of Dem".[25] In May 2015, she released her work, "Loving You", where she collaborated with Nigerian label mate, Ice Prince.[26] On 4 November 2015 she released "Booty Bounce".[27]

2016–present

On 21 January 2016, Kimani released her new single "All the Way",[28] featuring Khuli Chana.[29] In the song she pays homage to renowned artist Angelique Kidjo in her classic "Wombo Lombo".[30] The video was shot in Johannesburg,[31] South Africa and produced by Reinhard.[32]

Music influences and humanitarian works

On 13 May 2015, Kimani, other seven African female musicians, Cobhams Asuquo and a team of ONE staff got together in Johannesburg to create "Strong Girl", a song that sent a message on the empowerment of women across the world.[33] The song featured singers; Waje (Nigeria), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Arielle T (Gabon), Gabriela (Mozambique), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Selmor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Judith Sephuma (South Africa), new artist Blessing Nwafor (South Africa) and the video star is actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (Nigeria).[34]

Discography

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