Kleptomaniax

Last updated
Kleptomaniax
Origin Nairobi, Kenya
Genres Kenyan hip hop, Afro pop, rap, pop Genge
Occupation(s) Rapper, vocalist, record producer, DJ, Songwriter
Years active1999-Present
Labels Ogopa Deejays
Past membersRoba
Nyashinski
Collo

Kleptomaniax is a rap group from Nairobi, Kenya. The group consists of three members: Roba (Robert Manyasa), Collo (Collins Majale) and Nyashinski (Nyamari Ongegu).

Contents

Kleptomaniax were formed in 1999, when they were still high school students at the Nairobi School. The group joined the Ogopa DJs label and released their first single, "Freak It" in 2002, which was followed by "Maniax Anthem" and "Haree." [1] In 2004 the group released another single "Tuendelee", which became their biggest hit so far. The song was written as a response for the "Diss track" by various hip hop musicians (including Bamboo), who criticised the commercial Kapuka music style performed by Kleptomaniax among others. [2]

Their debut album M4E (an abbreviation for Maniax Forever) was released in 2005. Later that year the group received an MTV Europe Music Awards nomination for the Best African Act, a category awarded for the first time, but won by Nigerian recording artist 2Face Idibia. In 2007 Kleptomaniax toured the US. [3] The group was managed by Fakii Liwali.

After 2007, the group had a break while their members engaged in solo projects. The group has since made a comeback but has left Ogopa DJs. The group released their second album NITT (Now Is The Time) in 2009. [4] The group was believed to have disbanded after the release of their second album to pursue solo careers.

Influential group member Nyashinski made a successful comeback in 2016 and his song 'Malaika' scooped a Mdundo Award for Most Downloaded Male Single in 2017

Collo remained on the scene as a solo act and has since transitioned to a gospel artist [5]

Awards

Nominations

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ogopa Deejays</span> Record label

Ogopa Deejays are a Kenyan music production team and record label formed in the late 1990s who gained regional fame and popularity due to standards of their production work.

Necessary Noize was a Kenyan hip hop group.

David Mathenge, better known by his stage name Nameless, is a Kenyan pop artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bebe Cool</span> Ugandan recording artist

Bebe Cool is a reggae and ragga musician from Uganda. He started his career around 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya, but moved back to his native country a few years later. Bebe Cool was one of the first artists affiliated with Ogopa DJs, a production house and record label in Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jose Chameleone</span> A Ugandan artist

Joseph Mayanja, better known by the stage name Jose Chameleone, is a Ugandan AfroBeat artist and musician. Chameleone sings in Luganda, English, and Swahili.

Swabri Mohammed, better known by his stage name Redsan, is a Kenyan reggae and ragga musician. He is one of the most renowned ragga and dancehall artists in East Africa. His popularity has extended to the rest of Africa, parts of Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jua Cali</span> Kenyan Genge Artist

Paul Julius Nunda, better known by his stage name Jua Cali, is a Kenyan rapper and record producer. In 2000, together with record producer Clemo, he founded Calif Records where he has been ever since, producing music which dominated East African music alongside Jose Chameleone of Uganda and Mr. Nice of Tanzania. Jua Cali performs in Swahili and Sheng in a popular Kenyan style of rapping called genge.

Blu 3 was a Ugandan Girl group formed in April 2004 after winning the TV show Coca Cola Popstars. The name is contrived to mean 3 Beautiful Ladies from Uganda. Original members were Jackie Chandiru, Lilian Mbabazi and Cinderella Sanyu. After winning the contest, they went on to record the albums Hitaji (2004) and Burrn (2007). The Hitaji album spawned the hit singles "Hitaji", "Frisky" and the afro beat "Tomalaako". The girls launched Hitaji at lugogo cricket stadium in December 2004 with thousands of fans. The "Hitaji" video went on to win the Pearl of Africa Music Award for Video of the Year.

Cecilia Wairimu, better known by her stage name Amani, 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.

Lovy and Christian Longombas were a duo from Kenya performing a mixture of Hip hop and Soukous. Christian Longomba died on March 13, 2021 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor in May 2015.

Rosemary Wahu Kagwi, professionally known by her mononym Wahu, is a Kenyan singer-songwriter, former fashion model, actress, and entrepreneur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray C</span> Tanzanian musician

Rehema Chalamila, popularly known by her stage name Ray C, is a musician from Tanzania. Her genre of music is Afro pop, specifically Bongo Flava.

Deux Vultures is a musical group in Kenya performing hip hop and pop music.

Mr. Googz is a musician, preacher and author from Kenya.

Kevin Waire, best known by his stage name Wyre, is a Kenyan R&B and reggae musician. He is known for being a member of the groups Necessary Noize and East African Bashment Crew, as well as his solo career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avril (singer)</span> Kenyan actress and singer (born 1986)

Judith Nyambura Mwangi, who is better known as Avril, is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. She was formerly signed to Ogopa Deejays, one of the leading music production and record labels in Kenya. As a singer, she is known for the singles "Mama", "Kitu Kimoja", "Chokoza" and "Hakuna Yule". As an actress, she is best known for playing Miss B'Have on Shuga: Love, Sex, Money (2012). Avril's contributions to the Kenyan entertainment industry have earned her one Nzumari Award, one Kisima Music Award, one Golden Mic Award and two Chaguo La Teeniez Awards.

Lillian Mbabazi is a Rwandan-Ugandan recording artist and entertainer. She was born in Uganda to Rwandan Parents. According to a Ugandan publicist at Bryan Morel Publications, Lilian's music style is neo-soul associated with R&B Band tendencies. She was a member of Blu*3. In 2014, she was one of the featured artists in the second season of "Coke Studio Africa".

<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.

References

  1. ↑ Daily Nation, Lifestyle Magazine, June 1, 2003: Kleptomaniax, the trio behind the hit songs
  2. ↑ The Standard, Pulse Magazine, April 25, 2005: Klepto’s beef with Pulse
  3. ↑ "Sambaza Entertainment". Sambazainc.com. 2007-02-24. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  4. ↑ The Standard, Pulse Magazine, January 30, 2009: Kleptomaniacs back to steal the show
  5. ↑ Mahugu, Jacqueline. "The untold story of former Kleptomaniax ace, Collo". Standard Entertainment and Lifestyle. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  6. 1 2 "True Blaq Entertainment profile". Trueblaq.com. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  7. ↑ "Kora Awards 2005 nominees". Francomix.com. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  8. ↑ "Tanzania Music Awards - Nominees 2006". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  9. ↑ Kisima Awards nominees 2008
  10. ↑ "PAM Awards". PAM Awards. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.