Wangechi
Nairobi, Kenya | Established. Jan 01, 2013
Music
Press
Back in February rising Kenyan alt-emcee Wangechi (born Wangechi Waweru) hit our radar with a mysterious teaser video of her debut album. Last we checked in with the ’94-born rapper she was teaming up with Kenyan heavyweight (and the Lonely Island collaborator) Rabbit and South African Motswako king Hip Hop Pantsula on “Tulia Tu.” Last week the Nairobi rhymesmith came through with the first official single off her forthcoming self-titled album, a soulful burner that finds its roots in 90’s neo-soul/rap. Produced by her manager Kevin Provoke, “Play” is a breezy introduction to 19-year-old Wangechi’s nostalgic rhymes and occasional slips into Swahili wordplay. “The challenges I have faced making a name is that most of the people don’t accept my style of hiphop, since it’s not that commercial and leans more on the alternative side,” Wangechi explained in an interview with Kenyan Poet. Listen to her make more left-of-center hip-hop below. For more from Wangechi watch her featured alongside Just A Band on CNN’s Inside Africa episode on Nairobi’s music scene. - Okay Africa
In August 2014 Kenyan rapper Wangechi shared the smooth first single from her self-titled debut album, scheduled for release by the end of the year. Not long after, though, a tragic car accident in September (which resulted in the death of Wangechi’s best friend), left the young musician critically injured at Nairobi Hospital. Now on a road to recovery, Wangechi returned on her 21st birthday last week with “Analogue Dreams,” an impassioned yet relaxed electro-rap song featuring former Camp Mulla singer Karun. Produced by frequent Wangechi collaborator/manager Kevin Provoke and co-written with Karun back in August, the track is the first in a slew of releases to come this year. “I have a Wangechi sessions project coming up which is based around my life at this moment,” Wangechi told Okayafrica. “Mostly a gift to my fans for everything they’ve helped me through. I also have videos I’m working on for both released singles and unreleased singles. Still working on getting my album out this year, immediately when I get back to studio after my health picks up.” Look out for more from Wangechi soon. In the meantime, listen to “Analogue Dreams” below. For more, follow Wangechi on Twitter, Facebook, and SoundCloud. - okay africa
Fast rising Kenyan rapper Wangechi meets Tanzanian's king of R&B Ben Pol for a Mash Up of the 2Pac's timeless classic “Do For Love” by Tupac and Ben Pol’s … - cocacolacompany
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Wangechi born as Wangechi Waweru is a female rapper based in Nairobi, Kenya. Born in 1994, her passion for music began at the
tender age of 12. Listening to the likes of Necessary noise, Esir,
Kalamashaka, Jay Z, Digable planets, 2pac, B.I.G and many more, her love
for hip hop grew and set her on the path to write her own music.
Working under Hype masters entertainment she released the songs Homemade
and Lega Mega Sega that received positive feedback. With Consume
chakula ya soul the mix-tape's reception both online and on mainstream
radio,Wangechi is currently working on her first self entitled
album.Wangechi is also a pianist and bass guitarist.Wangechi has also
performed along side continental acts like Just A
Band,Mafikizolo,Micasa, The villagers and Muthoni the drama queen on a
Kenyan platform "Blankets and wine" in January 2014,Sosunival in june
and Perfomed in London Excel Global Summit ESVC 2014 hosted by Angelina
Jolie.
Wangechi worked on as a Coke Studio season 3
artist under which she got a chance to feature in Africa's first peace
anthem alongside Dama Do Bling,Ali Kiba, Maurice Kirya, Ice Prince and
Zwai Bala....Also in Coke Studio Africa, Wangechi managed to feature in a
song with American superstar Neyo........2015 has been a great year for
Wangechi having had a rather tragic end last year in an accident that
left her best friend dead and her in ICU for 4 months prompting her to
begin learning how to walk again since she was paralyzed on her left
side of her body.2015 began with her performing with Mos Def of the same
stage in Nairobi Rapsody, Morgan Heritage and a long list of
international artists just to name a few.Wangechi is currently working
on Blaze by Safaricom as a mentor to young upcoming musicians across
kenya.
Band Members
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