Bahati (singer)

Last updated

Kevin Mbuvi Kioko, known by the stage name Bahati, is a Kenyan singer and songwriter. His latest album, Love Like This, was released in 2021. In the 2022 General Elections, he unsuccessfully vied for the Mathare constituency parliamentary seat. He is also known by his 'Mtoto wa Mama' nickname.

Contents

Early life and education

Kioko was born in 1994. He lost his mother when he was just 7 years old and was raised at ABC Children's Home in the Mathare slums in Nairobi. [1] [2] For his primary school education, he attended Mercury Academy. For his secondary school education, he attended Nakeel Boys' High School in Rongai, Kajiado County and St Theresa's Boys' High School in Eastleigh, Nairobi County. He sat his KCSE in the latter in 2011 and got a C+ grade. [3]

Music career

Bahati's singing traces its roots from his high school days at St Theresa's Boys when he represented the school in the national music festivals. Siku ya Kwanza, his first song, was recorded in 2012 and eventually became part of his first album, Barua za Bahati. [4] The album also comprised his breakout hit, Mama. [5]

While he rose to fame singing gospel songs, Bahati has since switched to contemporary secular music. [6] [7] [8]

In 2015, Bahati opened his own recording studio called EMB Records, EMB being short for 'Eastlands Most Beloved'. [9] He closed it down in 2020 citing frustrations and a lack of support from fellow artists. [10] [11]

In 2021, Bahati released his latest album, Love Like This. [12] It features the popular song Pete Yangu featuring Nadia Mukami.

Politics

In 2022, Bahati announced that he would be venturing into politics, contesting for the Mathare constituency parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket. [13] Owing to the party belonging to the Azimio coalition and the need to front only one candidate per coalition with the coalition's constituent parties agreeing not to field candidates in each other's stronghold areas, Bahati was initially denied the ticket before the zoning procedure was dropped. [14] [15] He came third in the elections held on 9th August garnering 8,166 votes. [16] [17]

After failing to clinch the Mathare MP seat, Bahati has hinted at running for a gubernatorial position in the next elections. [18]

Personal life

Bahati is married to Diana Marua [19] [20] and, together, they have three children. [21] [22] They are also foster parents to a boy they adopted from the children's home Bahati grew up in. [23] [24] Bahati is also a father to another child from a past relationship with ex-girlfriend Yvette Obura. [25] [26]

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond Platnumz</span> Tanzanian singer, dancer, philanthropist and businessman

Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, professionally known as Diamond Platnumz, is a Tanzanian bongo flava recording artist, dancer, philanthropist and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of WCB Wasafi Record Label, Wasafi Bet and Wasafi Media. Diamond has gained a massive following in East and Central Africa. He became the first Africa-based artist to reach 900 million views on YouTube.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Groove Awards</span> Kenyan gospel music award

The Groove Awards is a Kenyan annual Gospel award. The winners are chosen by the public. The award's coverage has spread to include other East African countries, including Rwanda. It is sponsored by Safaricom and MoSound Events.

Wilson Abubakar Radido is a Kenyan artist and songwriter from Nairobi. He is the chief executive officer and founder of Saldido International Entertainment.

Elani is a Kenyan African pop group from Nairobi. It consists of three members; Wambui Ngugi, Brian Chweya and Maureen Kunga. The trio released their debut single"Jana Usiku" in November 2013 that became a great success, paving way for their subsequent singles. In 2014, the trio released numerous singles in the making of their debut album Barua ya Dunia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agundabweni Akweyu</span> Kenyan record producer (born 1980)

Agundabweni Akweyu is a Kenyan born record producer, co-founder of record label Bwenieve, co-founder of Praise Atmosphere, arranger, composer, songwriter, entrepreneur, audio engineer and a husband to Kenyan gospel musician Evelyn Wanjiru. Based in Nairobi Kenya, he is best known for producing hit songs for both established and uprising musicians. His unique style of production has seen a turn around in Kenyan gospel music; more musicians aspire to work with him.

Phelix Odiwuor Khodhe, more popularly known as Jalang'o / Jalas or Heavy J Baba is a Kenyan Politician- Current member of parliament for Langata Constituency which he won on an Orange Democratic Movement ( ODM) Party ticket against his predecessor Hon.Nixon Kiprotich Korir. Prior to his political ambitions, Jalas was also a radio presenter, comedian, actor, events master of ceremonies (MC), talk show host and philanthropist celebrity in Kenya.

Rajab Abdul Kahali, also known by his stage name Harmonize, is a Tanzanian Bongo Flava recording artist, and entrepreneur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nandy (singer)</span> Tanzanian musician

Faustina Charles Mfinanga, popularly known by her stage name Nandy is a Tanzanian singer, songwriter and actress. She was born and raised in the town of Moshi, Tanzania in Kilimanjaro Region. She won the All Africa Music Awards twice in the best female artist in East Africa category in 2017 and 2020.

Paul Ongili Owino, also known as Babu Owino, is a Kenyan politician and member of parliament for Embakasi East Constituency. He gained media recognition as the chairperson of Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khaligraph Jones</span> Kenyan rapper

Brian Ouko Omollo, popularly known by his stage name Khaligraph Jones, is a Kenyan rapper known for his hit singles "Mazishi" and "Yego". He released his debut full-length studio album Testimony 1990 in June 2018. Khaligraph Jones has achieved numerous awards during his career. He was nominated for 'Best Male Artist' at the 2018 Afrimma Awards, won 'Best Hip Hop Artist' at the 2020 Afrimma Awards, and was nominated for 'Best International Act' at the 2020 BET Awards.

Zuhura Othman Soud better known by her stage name Zuchu, born is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter born in Zanzibar. She is based in Dar es Salaam and signed to WCB Wasafi record label. She was awarded the Silver Plaque Button by YouTube for hitting 100,000 subscribers within a week. She became the first East African female artist to reach that milestone within a week. She also became the first East African female artist to reach 1 million subscribers on YouTube 11 months later. In 2020, Zuchu was named by AFRIMMA as the Emerging Artist Award winner.

Juma Mussa Mkambala, known professionally by his stage name Jux, is a Tanzanian artist and songwriter.

Major Nameye Khadija popularly known with his stage name Mejja is a Kenyan Genge artist. He was signed to Calif Records where he released multiple collaborations. His single "Jana Kuliendaje" won him an award at Kenya's Chaguo la Teeni in 2008

Janet Achieng Otieno popularly known as Janet Otieno, is a singer and songwriter of gospel music from Kenya. She was the winner of Mwafaka Awards and nominated at Groove Awards for "Collaboration of the year" in 2014 for the song "Napokea Kwako" which featured Christina Shusho from Tanzania.

The African Muzik Magazine Awards are an annual African music awards ceremony aimed to reward and celebrate musical works, talents and creativity around the African continent and accommodates all musical genres including Afrobeats, Afro-Trap, Assiko, Bongo, Coupé-décalé, Genge, Highlife, Kwaito, Congolese rumba, ndombolo, and Soukous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyashinski</span> Kenyan musician

Nyamari Ongegu, known professionally as Nyashinski, is a Kenyan rapper singer and songwriter. He is a co-founding member of the hip-hop trio Kleptomaniax before successfully launching his solo career during the 2010s. His 2020 full-length debut album Lucky You demonstrated his lyrical skills and songwriting talents, encompassing lighter, more uplifting songs as well as aggressive street tracks.

Mario TJ Cassela popularly known as Trio Mio is a Kenyan rapper, singer and songwriter. He started releasing music online in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, with his debut single "Bazenga - Vile Inafaa." He is best known for his hit single “Cheza Kama Wewe,” which was released on July 15, 2020, and featured remixes by other Kenyan artists such as Mejja, Exray and Nellythegoon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lava Lava (singer)</span> Tanzanian singer

Abdul Juma Idd better known by his stage name Lava Lava is a Tanzanian singer signed under WCB Wasafi record label. His hit songs such as Saula, Nga'ring'ari, Habibi, Tuna Kikao and Tajiri have made a household in Tanzania. He is known for his signature Bongo Flava sound and Baibuda music style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gigy Money</span> Tanzanian socialite

Gift Stanford Joshua known by her stage name Gigy Money is a Tanzanian singer, and internet personality. Gigy became a household after releasing Papa, a Bongo Flava song written by Marioo in 2017. Throughout her music career, Gigy Money has worked with different music heavyweights including Whozu, Tamimu, Rosa Ree, Lava Lava and more.

Tanasha Donna Oketch is a Kenyan model, singer, entrepreneur & former radio presenter for NRG radio.

References

  1. "Bahati blesses Mathare in the biggest gospel concert yet". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  2. "Celebs who used to be street kids". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  3. "Kevin Bahati: from orphan to Groove Award winner". Nation. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  4. ""Barua za Bahati" goes live". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  5. "Kevin Bahati: from orphan to Groove Award winner". Nation. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  6. "Bahati officially leaves gospel, launches 'contemporary' album". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  7. "Singer Bahati reveals why he no longer identifies as a gospel musician". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  8. "'People behave like holier-than-thou' - Bahati reveals why he quit gospel music : K24 TV". www.k24tv.co.ke. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  9. "Bahati launches Eastlands Most Beloved recording studio". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  10. "'We need to wake up!' Bahati makes shocking decision to shut down EMB Records - The Sauce". www.capitalfm.co.ke. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  11. Ngigi, Elizabeth (19 April 2020). "Gospel artistes are jealous of my success, says Bahati". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  12. "Bahati admits to clout-chasing as he releases the 'love Like This' album featuring Nadia Mukami, Rayvanny + more - The Sauce". www.capitalfm.co.ke. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  13. AYEGA, DAVIS (18 March 2022). "Bahati 'Mtoto wa Mama' joins politics, to vie for Mathare MP's seat » Capital News". Capital News. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  14. NAKOLA, SHARON RESIAN (10 July 2022). "Bahati to vie for Mathare MP seat after IEBC lists name » Capital News". Capital News. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  15. "Bahati gazetted to run for Mathare MP seat". Citizen Digital. 10 July 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  16. Amadala, Victor (12 August 2022). "Bahati floored in hotly contested Mathare MP race". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  17. "No luck for Bahati as he finishes third in Mathare MP race". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  18. Petra, Hannie (20 October 2023). "Bahati declares major political ambition after failed MP bid". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  19. "Bahati, marriage and fatherhood". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  20. "Bahati on stormy first year of marriage: 'Diana walked out three times'". Citizen Digital. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  21. "Diana Marua and Bahati announce arrival of their third child". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  22. "Diana Marua 'excited' to celebrate birthday in hospital". Nairobi News. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  23. "Bahati, Diana Marua announce they're expecting third child". Citizen Digital. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  24. "Bahati reveals why he stopped dating after adopting son - K24 TV : K24 TV". www.k24tv.co.ke. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  25. Ngigi, Elizabeth (15 March 2023). "Why Yvette Obura will forever be in Bahati's life". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  26. "Bahati addresses Diana, Yvette Obura feud, Mueni whereabouts". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  27. "Full List Of The Groove Award 2013 Winners". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  28. Kerongo, Grace (7 September 2013). "Gloria Muliro, Ringtone Win Mwafaka Prizes". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  29. "AFRIMMA Nominees 2014". AFRIMMA. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  30. Gitau, Elly (6 May 2014). "Rabbit Wins Big at Mdundo Awards". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  31. "Bahati Wins Big at the 2015 Groove Awards". Citizen Digital. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  32. "Bahati the Ultimate Winner At Groove Awards". The Star. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  33. "Bahati Wins Big at the 2015 Groove Awards". Citizen Digital. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2024.