Nyashinski

Nyashinski
Nyashinski on stage in 2022
Nyashinski on stage in 2022
Background information
Birth nameNyamari Ongegu
Born (1981-04-08) 8 April 1981 (age 42)
Kisii, Kenya
Genres
Kenyan hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Years active1999–present
Spouse(s)Zia Jepkemei Bett

Nyamari Ongegu (born Inyatta Nyamari Ongegu; 8 April 1981), 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 Lucky You demonstrated his lyrical skills and songwriting talents, encompassing lighter, more uplifting songs as well as aggressive street tracks.[3]

Biography

Nyamari Ogengu, who goes by the stage name Nyashinski, was born on 8 April 1981, in Kisii, Kenya. 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, a 21-year-old young man and a member of a rap trio, Kleptomaniax and his family relocated to Delaware, US where he worked as a truck driver for 10 years until his return to Kenya to continue his music career in 2016.[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]

Music career

Kleptomaniax

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 a music trio, Kleptomaniax back in 1999. Although the members were still the 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 at a time. Tuendelee released in 2004 was one of the most popular song by the trio earning the trio a dozen of awards and nominations, The trio disbanded in 2009 as each of members opted to pursue solo careers.[15]

Solo career

Nyashinski had a 10-year break from music activity right after Kleptomaniax disbandment, 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]

Awards and nominations

Nyashinski awards and nominations
Totals[a]
Wins2
Nominations5
Note
  1. ^ Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They recognize several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.

Pulse Music Video Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 Pulse Music Video Awards Now you Know Won[21]

MTV Africa Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 Himself Best African Act Nominated[22][23]
2018 Himself Best African Act Nominated[24]

All Africa Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2022 Himself Best Male artiste in Eastern Africa Nominated[25][26]

East Africa Arts Entertainment Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2022 Himself Best Legendary artiste Won[27]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Lucky You (2020)

Other singles

2016

2017

  • Malaika[32]
  • Hayawani
  • Aminia

2018

  • Bebi Bebi[33]
  • Free
  • Hello
  • Finyo

2019

  • Marathon Runner
  • Lift Me Up
  • Balance

2020

  • Serious
  • Hapo Tu (ft Chris Kaiga)

2021

  • Properly ft (Femi one)
  • Top Form[34]
  • Goals
  • Whoopty (freestyle)[35]

2022

  • Showman
  • Night school
  • Kable Tudie
  • Tunnel Vision

2023

  • Perfect design

References

  1. ^ Robi, Amos (2022-11-27). "Nyashinski reunites Kleptomaniax to thrill fans at Shin City Eldoret [Videos]". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  2. ^ Campus, Capital (2017-02-02). "Return of Kleptomaniacs Nyashinski, Collo & Roba, Who Did It Best?". The Sauce. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  3. ^ "Nyashinski Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  4. ^ "Nyashinski changed his name through gazette notice". Nairobi News. 2019-11-12. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  5. ^ Howto (2019-11-13). "Rapper Nyashinski changes name through gazette notice". How-to. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  6. ^ Muli, Davis. "Revealed: Nyashinski changed his name before traditional wedding". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  7. ^ "Nyashinski changes his real name after marrying Zipporah Bett » Biggest Kaka ⁸". 2019-11-13. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  8. ^ "Singer Nyashinski Speaks of 'Harsh' Life in US That Forced Him to Return to Kenya". Mwakilishi.com. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  9. ^ Messenger, Diaspora (2019-05-02). "Nyashinski speaks on living in USA, why he relocated back to Kenya". Diaspora Messenger News Media. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  10. ^ "Congratulations! Nyanshinski weds zia in an intimate ceremony". None. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  11. ^ Ruby, Josh (2021-12-12). "Kenyan singer Nyashinski weds longtime lover Zia Bett". MBU. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  12. ^ "Congratulations! Nyashinski, Zia wed in private ceremony – K24 TV : K24 TV". www.k24tv.co.ke. 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  13. ^ "Nyashinski and wife welcome first baby". Switch TV Kenya. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  14. ^ Antikua, Dex (2020-03-15). "Nyashinski Welcomes His First Baby To The World". VIBE MTAANI. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  15. ^ Nyanga, Caroline. "Rapper Nyashinski on possible Kleptomaniax reunion and forthcoming song featuring Collo". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  16. ^ Kimani, Sheila. "Nyashinski the former Klepto makes a comeback". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  17. ^ Kenya, Youth Village (2016-05-18). "Former Kleptomaniax Group Member Nyashinski Back With First Single in Over a Decade 'Now You Know'". Youth Village Kenya. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  18. ^ lily-mwangi. "'Now You Know' producer Keggah shares the journey of Nyashinski's comeback". None. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  19. ^ Nyambura, Medrine (2016-05-17). "Nyashinski makes a major comeback with the single 'Now you know'". HapaKenya. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  20. ^ "Mdundo Awards 2018 Winners Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  21. ^ ruth (2016-12-12). "Nyashinski Wins Big at Pulse Music Video Awards, 2016". Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video – Notjustok. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  22. ^ Nyota, Maxwell (2017-11-02). "President Kenyatta Urges Kenyans To Vote For Nyashinski In The MTV Awards". KenyanVibe. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  23. ^ "Nyashinski loses to Davido at the MTV Europe music awards". GhettoRadio 89.5 FM. 2017-11-13. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  24. ^ "Nyashinski gets nominated for the MTV EMA Awards » Biggest Kaka". 2018-10-05. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  25. ^ "Bien, Tanasha Donna, Nyashinski Among Kenyan Musicians Nominated For AFRIMA 2022". 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  26. ^ Gichovi, Murugi (2022-09-15). "Bridget Blue, Nyashinski, Femi One, Bien Aime + More Nominated For The 2022 AFRIMA Awards". The Sauce. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  27. ^ Milimo, Dennis (2022-08-02). "Diamond, Nyashinski, Zuchu & Otile win big at EAEA awards 2022 [Full List]". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  28. ^ Ngaruiya, Bilha. "The reel hitmaker: Video producer behind Nyashinski's 'Now you know' and Everlast's 'Gudi gudi'". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  29. ^ Kamau, Richard (2017-07-17). "Eric Omondi's Parody of Nyashinski's 'Now You Know' is What Kenya Needs in this Election Period". Nairobi Wire. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  30. ^ Mwangi, Nick (2020-03-12). "Why Collo Wouldn't Work on a Remix of Nyashinski's 'Mungu Pekee'". Nairobi Wire. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  31. ^ Nyanga, Caroline. "Mungu Pekee- Rapper Nyashinski releases gospel song". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  32. ^ "Nyashinki's drops 'Malaika' hit single for the ladies". 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  33. ^ "Nyashinski's Bebi Bebi sheds light on an important issue in today's society". The Standard. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  34. ^ Lauryn (2021-04-11). "Nyashinski Surprises Fans With 3 New Singles". Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video – Notjustok. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  35. ^ "Nyashinski Drops 3 Surprise Jams Dubbed 'Goals', Top Form' and 'Whoopty (Freestyle)' Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 2023-01-13.

External links