Amani (musician)

Amani
Birth nameCecilia Wairimu
Born (1980-11-28) 28 November 1980 (age 43)
Thika, Kiambu, Kenya
OriginNairobi, Kenya
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1999–present
LabelsOgopa Deejays

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[edit]

Beginnings[edit]

Amani attended Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School, where she was part of the a cappella 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[edit]

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, the 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 the music industry[edit]

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]

Cecilia Wairimu got born again in 2018 with 'My God' and 'Upendo' being some of her songs as a born again Christian.

Discography[edit]

Singles and studio albums[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

  • Pure and Natural Most Inspiring Young Woman 2010.
  • Pearl of Africa Music Award-Best Female Artist 2010

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Amani's biography". Ghafla!. 26 Oct 2009. Archived from the original on 2016-01-28. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  2. ^ "CECILIA WAIRIMU BIOGRAPHY | DAILY NATION WAKENYA". wakenya.co.ke. Archived from the original on 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  3. ^ "Amani (Musician)". In.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  4. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b The Standard, Pulse Magazine, August 8, 2008: Amani:[permanent dead link]
  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. Archived from the original on 9 March 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  10. ^ Ndung'u, Tony (13 March 2015). "Amani Unmasked: Details Of Her Video Shoot That You Didn't Know!". Ghafla!. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  11. ^ a b c "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. Archived from the original on 2015-07-30. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  13. ^ Baba Ghafla (21 August 2009). "Ninanoki". Ghafla!. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Missing My Baby". Ghafla!. Archived from the original on 2016-08-21. 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. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  18. ^ "Amani - Heartbreaker". Kenyans.co.ke. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  19. ^ a b c d The Standard, Pulse Magazine, May 5, 2006: The chosen few[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ a b "Kisima Awards - Winners 2006". Archived from the original on 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  21. ^ Musicuganda.com: PAM 2006 nominees Archived 2010-05-22 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ Kisima Awards - Winners 2007 Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ Museke: Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) awards 2007 winners - Uganda Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "Tanzania Music Awards - 2007 Nominees". Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  25. ^ "Tanzania Music Awards - 2008 Nominees". Archived from the original on 2008-10-02. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  26. ^ a b Music Industry Online: 2008 Channel O Music Video Awards Nominees Archived 2016-01-22 at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ a b c d Museke: 2009 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards nominees Archived 2009-07-19 at the Wayback Machine
  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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