Nyashinski | |
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![]() Nyashinski on stage in 2022 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Nyamari Ongegu |
Born | Kisii, Kenya | 8 April 1984
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Musician. Writer. |
Years active | 1999–present |
Spouse(s) | Zia Jepkemei Bett |
Nyamari Ongegu (born Inyatta Nyamari Ongegu; 8 April 1984), known professionally as Nyashinski, is a Kenyan rapper singer and songwriter. He is a co-founding member of the hip-hop trio Kleptomaniax [1] [2] 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. [3]
Nyamari Ongegu, who goes by the stage name Nyashinski, was born on 8 April 1984. He attended Nairobi School. On 10 April 2019, Nyashinski whose full birth name was Inyatta Nyamari Ongegu, through a gazette notice [4] [5] announced legally abandoning the use of his first name, Inyatta, instead opted to use Nyamari Ongegu only as his official full name. [6] [7]
Nyashinski lived in Kenya until 2006, when he and his family relocated to Delaware US, where he worked as a truck driver for 10 years until his return to Kenya in 2016 to continue his music career. [8] [9]
In 2019, Nyashinski tied the knot, [10] marrying his longtime girlfriend, designer Zia Jepkemei Bett. [11] [12] Nyashinski and Zia welcomed their first child in 2020. [13] [14]
Nyashinski's music career started as a member of Kleptomaniax when he was still a high school student at Nairobi School, where he met Roba (Robert Manyasa) and Collo (Collins Majale) who formed the music trio Kleptomaniax back in 1999. Although the members were still high school students, they released their debut track, Freak It in 2002 under Ogopa DJs music label, followed by Maniax Anthem and Haree which were major hits. Tuendelee and Swing released in 2004 were the most popular songs by the trio earning them dozens of awards and nominations. The trio, took a hiatus in 2009 to pursue solo careers. [15]
Nyashinski took a 10-year break from music right after Kleptomaniax hiatus. He made a come back in 2016 [16] [17] with a hit song Now you Know. [18] [19] His 2017 song Malaika scooped a Mdundo Award for Most Downloaded Male Single in 2017. [20]
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Totals [lower-alpha 1] | ||||||||
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Wins | 2 | |||||||
Nominations | 5 | |||||||
Note
|
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Pulse Music Video Awards | Now you Know | Won [21] |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Himself | Best African Act | Nominated [22] [23] |
2018 | Himself | Best African Act | Nominated [24] |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | Himself | Best Male artiste in Eastern Africa | Nominated [25] [26] |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | Himself | Best Legendary artiste | Won [27] |
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
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