Wahu
| Wahu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rosemary Wahu Kagwi Nairobi, Kenya |
| 🏡 Residence | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Other names | Wahu Kagwi Mathenge |
| 🎓 Alma mater | University of Nairobi Bacheor of Arts (Mathematics & Communication) |
| 💼 Occupation |
|
| 📆 Years active | 2000–present |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Nameless (m. 2006) |
| 👶 Children | 2 |
Rosemary Wahu Kagwi,[1] Wahu mirrors an emergent generation of strong African women who have risen up to take their place as societal leaders and influencers. With a career that spans over 17 years, Wahu has not only made her mark on the Kenyan entertainment scene, but is also considered a household name and a positive role model to many young girls and indeed upcoming musicians. She is the inaugural recipient of the MTV Africa Music Awards 2008,[2] for Best Female Artist category. Moreover, she has won the Pearl of Africa Music Awards, Chaguo La Teeniez Awards and Kisima Music Awards.[3] In the acting industry, Wahu had a leading role in the television series Tazama.[4]
“My Motto: Swing low, aim high, and God before all. ” Wahu Kagwi.
Brand Image: Strong, confident & ambitious
Brand positioning: Holistic, cross-generational, accepted across all social groups and strata, and consumed broadly within the East African region.
Competitive edge: Has developed strong audience loyalty & managed to maintain industry, public and corporate relevance. Has generated various brand spin-offs away from the musical commodity,which have ultimately contributed to the growth of the overall brand.
Key audiences: Female/Male aged between 24-35, with spill over of audiences both younger and older
EDUCATION:[edit]
•Bsc (Mathematics) University of Nairobi
•MA (Communications) University of Nairobi
Her Masters Thesis was based Kenyan Music Industry, and proposed key changes that would turn the young industry into a money making machine. This was triggered by the current state in which the industry’s real economic value is far from realization. Wahu was awarded an A on her thesis, which is used as a reference point by others investigating this field.
Perfomances[edit]
Her career that spans over 17 years has seen her grow into a household name across East African and as such, perform for various audiences within the region, as well as to East Africans living in the Diaspora. Wahu has mastered the art of performance and as such is able to tailor make performances that fit her various audiences no-matter the setting; From large outdoor crowds to small intimate gatherings, from corporate functions to night club events.
Family[edit]
The last born in a family of five, Wahu has been married to fellow musician David Mathenge aka NAMELESS, for the last 12 years. Together, they have two lovely daughters, Tumiso (born in August, 2006) and Nyakio (born in August, 2013) Wahu holds that over and above all her current engagements, family always comes first, and an investment in family, never returns void. Wahu prides herself as one of the few artiste in the industry who have managed to keep an active brand presence without affecting the stability of her family. As a mentor and role model to many, she continues to impact many positively within the industry.
NEW BRAND DIRECTION
In November 2017, Wahu Kagwi made National headlines when she announced her move from Secular music to Gospel. This was not a career move, but rather a change in direction influenced by a deep spiritual conviction to walk closer with God. The news was received warmly across the region and following the release of her first gospel song SIFA, Wahu and her team are currently working to develop more content that speaks to this new God-centered direction.http://nairobiwire.com/2018/04/video-wahu-delivers-moving-gospel-hit-inspired-by-nameless-life-threatening-illness.html
CHARITIES AND CAUSES:[edit]
•Wahu supports numerous charitable funds and awareness drives both on a community and national level.
•Financial supporter and friend of Light & Hope Children’s Home, Korogosho.
•Supporter and friend of the Down Syndrome Society of Kenya. (DSSK)
•Educational sponsor to a number of children both in primary and high school across the country.
•Ambassador & spokesperson for Diabetes (Kenya)
•Motivational speaker & mentor to high school girls across the country.
Awards and nominations[edit]
Musical Accolades[edit]
• MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) - WINNER– Best Female Artist Africa(Was the first Kenyan to receive this award) [5]
• African Music Awards (AMA) - WINNER- Best Female Africa (2008)
• KISIMA Awards (KENYA) - WINNER - Best Reggae Artist, (2008)[6]
• CHAGUO LA TEENEEZ - WINNER - Best Female Artist Kenya (2008)[7]
• Pearl of Africa (PAM) Awards (UGANDA) - WINNER Best Female Artist Kenya (2008)[8]
• Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards - NOMINEE – Best African Act,
•KORA Awards – NOMINEE - Best East African Act, Best African Act – 2008
•MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) - NOMINEE - Best Video, Africa – 2009
•CHANNEL O AWARDS - NOMINEE - Best East African Video
•CHANNEL O AWARDS - NOMINEE and Best Ragga/Dancehall- 2009
•KILIMANJARO AWARDS - NOMINEE - Best East African Act, 2006, 2009,[9]
•CHAGUO LA TEENEEZ - NOMINEE - Best Female Artist. 2003, 2004
•CHAGUO LA TEENEZ – NOMINEE - Best Female Artist, 2010, 2011.
•Pearl Of Africa (PAM) Awards (Uganda) – NOMINEE Best East African Act
•KISIMA AWARD - NOMINEE – Best Afro Fusion, 2012
•AFRIMA AWARDS – NOMINEE – Song of the Year, RNB, 2014.
•BINGWA AWARDS – NOMINEE – Comeback of the Year, 2015.
Nominations[edit]
- 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards - Best Kenyan Female Artiste[10]
- MTV Africa Music Awards 2008 - Best Newcomer[11]
- 2008 MOBO Awards - Best African Act[12]
- 2008 Kora Awards - Best Artiste or Group from East Africa (not yet held)[13]
- 2009 Tanzania Music Awards - Best East African Song ("Sweet Love")[14]
- 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards - Best Video ("Little Things You Do" with Bobi Wine)[15]
- 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards - Best African East & Best Ragga Dancehall Video ("Sweet Love")[16]
- 2011 Tanzania Music Awards - Best Song and Best Collaboration Song ('Mkono Mmoja' with Chege & Temba)[17]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Wahu Kagwi". Ghafla. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ↑ "MAMA Awards winners". Bella Naija. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ↑ "Kisima Awards Winners 2008/2009 announced!". I.fienipa. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ↑ "WAHU - AFRICAN MUSICIAN". Fieni Pal Lyrics. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ↑ BBC, November 23, 2008: Nigerians sweep MTV Africa awards
- ↑ Kisima Music Awards: 2008 Kisima Music Awards winners Archived 12 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Ecoimagekenya.com, June 20, 2008: The annual Chaguo La Teeniez awards Winners
- ↑ Museke: PAM Awards Winners 2008
- ↑ The Citizen: Newcomers ruling the roost 21 May 2010
- ↑ Musicuganda.com: PAM 2006 nominees Archived 22 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Museke: MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2008 - the nominees
- ↑ Museke: Nominees for MOBO Best African Act 2008
- ↑ Museke: Kora All Africa Music Awards nominees 2008 - regional categories
- ↑ Kilimanjaro Awards: Nominees 2009
- ↑ Museke: MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2009 nominees
- ↑ Museke: 2009 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards nominees
- ↑ allAfrica.com: '20 Percent' Grabs Seven Kili Music Awards Nominations
Wahu Kagwi Official Page[edit]
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