Victoria Kimani

Victoria Kimani
Born (1984-07-28) 28 July 1984
Los Angeles, California, U.S
Residence Lagos, Nigeria
Citizenship Kenyan
Occupation
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • entertainer
  • dancer
  • actress
Years active 2009–present
Relatives
  • Bamboo (brother)
  • Kimya Miyaki (brother)

Musical career

Genres
Instruments Vocals
Labels Chocolate City Music
Associated acts

Victoria Kimani (born 28 July 1984),[1] is an American-born Kenyan singer, songwriter, actress and entertainer. She is currently signed to Chocolate City and is described as the record label's first lady.[2][3] As a singer, she is popularly known for her numerous hits and sense of style.[4] Her penetration into the African music industry has earned her a number of nominations, with her singles receiving numerous airplay across Africa.[5] She announced that her debut album may be out on the onset of 2016.[6][7] Apart from singing, she has appeared in the film 7 Inch Curve,[8] a movie that talks about an upcoming singer that decides to make a wrong decision and change for the worst.[9] The movie is directed by Shola Thompson.[10][11][12]

Kimani has also been outspoken on issues like male chauvinism and women empowerment in conjunction with the ONE Campaign.[13] Having collaborated with other African female singers, in the making of an inspirational song "Strong Girl". On woman empowerment, Kimani has also stated that women struggle to make ends meet thanks to the choice of career they have. She defends models, singers, dancers, entertainers, presenters, business women, PR, managers, PA's, singers, stylists, DJ’s and designers.[14]

Life and career

Biography and music career

Kimani was born in Los Angeles, California to clergy parents and she is the youngest of her two older brothers.[15] She grew up partly in Benin City, Nigeria while her parents were there doing missionary work. She began singing at the age of 9 until the age of 16 when she begun performing alongside other church choir members as a back-up and writing songs for others.[2][15] On moving back to her mother country, Kenya, she joined campus where she also did back-ups for Mercy Mara where she had to travel a lot. She later opted to drop out to fully pursue a career in music.[4]

2010-2012; Stepping into music scenery

In 2010, she performed a cover of Ice Prince’s hit single OLEKU and from this caught the attention of Chocolate City executives. In late 2012, she signed into Nigeria's music label Chocolate City,[16] based in Kenya as the first female artist to sign into the label, where she released her first single under the label, "Mtoto", Swahili word for Child later on March 2013.[17] The video was shot in Los Angeles[18]

2013-15; Numerous mixtapes, Whoa, M'Toto, Show, Prokoto

Subsequently she released several mixtapes namely; "Oya", "Heaven", "Hate Me", "Open Up Your Heart", "F.U.M.F", "Do What You Want" and "Freaks" (refix).[19][20] In 2014, she released yet another single, "Show", produced by singer and producer Tekno Miles.[21] Later in 2014, she released "Prokoto", a congolese word that means "Swagger.[22] She featured Tanzanian artists, Diamond Platnumz and Ommy Dimpoz.[23]

2015–16; Vex, ONE Campaign, Two of Dem, Loving You, Booty Bounce

On February 2015, Kimani joined forces with divas; Cynthia Morgan and Emma Nyra and released the video, "Vex".[24] On 23 July 2015, she released a new video, "Two of Dem".[25] On May 2015, she released her work, "Loving You", where she collaborated with Nigerian label mate, Ice Prince.[26] On 4 November 2015 she released "Booty Bounce".[27]

2016–present

In 21 January 2016, Kimani released her new single "All the Way",[28] featuring Khuli Chana.[29] In the song she pays homage to renowned artist Angelique Kidjo in her classic "Wombo Lombo".[30] The video was shot in Johannesburg,[31] South Africa and produced by Reinhard.[32]

Music influences and humanitarian works

On 13 May 2015, Kimani, other seven African female musicians, Cobhams Asuquo and a team of ONE staff got together in Johannesburg to create "Strong Girl", a song that sent a message on the empowerment of women across the world.[33] The song featured singers; Waje (Nigeria), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Arielle T (Gabon), Gabriela (Mozambique), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Selmor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Judith Sephuma (South Africa), new artist Blessing Nwafor (South Africa) and the video star is actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (Nigeria).[34]

Personal life

In 2013, there were rumours of suppossed relationship between the Southampton midfielder, Victor Wanyama and Kimani but Victor later refuted claims of the latter stating that they are just friends.[35]

Discography

As lead artist

Contents
0–9 · A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · L · M · N · O · P · S · T · U · W
Key
Song released as a single Indicates single release
Song released as a mixtape Indicates a mixtape released for promotional purposes
Year Song Producer(s) Album Ref(s)
2010 "Olenku"
2013 "Oya" (featuring MI) Chopstix Non-Album (Queen Victoria Mixtape) [36]
"Heaven" (Mixtape)
"Hate Me" (featuring Pryse)-Mixtape [37][38]
"Open Up Your Heart" (Lengoma re-fix) [39]
"F.U.M.F" (featuring Loose Kaynon ) [40]
"Do What You Do" (featuring Banky W -Mixtape [41]
"Trayvon" (featuring Kimya & Bamboo) [42]
"Freaks" (featuring Wyre [43]
"Whoa" TBA [44]
"M'Toto" GripMusik’s Chopstix [45]
2014 "Show" Tekno Miles [46]
"Prokoto" (featuring Ommy Dimpoz and Diamond Platnumz [47][48]
2015 " Vex" (Cynthia Morgan, Victoria Kimani and Emma Nyra) D. O. Speaks [24]
"Her" (Victoria Kimani featuring Milli) [49]
"Loving You" (Victoria Kimani featuring Ice Prince [50]
"Two of Dem" [51][52]
"Booty Bounce" Reinhard [53]
2016 "All the Way" (Victoria Kimani featuring Khuli Chana) [54]
2016 "Walahi (Cover)" (Victoria Kimani) [55]

As a featured artist

Year Song Artist (s) Album Ref(s)
2012 "Merry Christmas" Nosa ft. Victoria Kimani TBA [56]
2015 "Ooh Lala Oui Oui Yvonne Darcq ft. Victoria Kimani [57]
"Her" Milli ft. Victoria Kimani (produced by CK) [58]
"Taking Over" Dama Do Bling ft. Victoria Kimani TBA [59]
"Best" Nadia ft. Victoria Kimani and M.I [60]

Fimography

Videography

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Year Title Director Ref
2016 All The Way N/A [61]

Awards and nominations

Year Association Award Recipient Result Ref(s)
2013 Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted Newcomer Video "Mtoto" Nominated [62]
Most Gifted R&B Video "Oya"
2014 Africa Musik Magazine Awards Best Female Artist (East Africa) Victoria Kimani Nominated [63]
2015 Africa Musik Awards Best Female Artist Nominated [64]
African Entertainment Awards USA Best International Female Artist Nominated [65][66]
2016 Kora Awards Best Female Artist – East Africa Pending [67]

References

  1. ↑ Muoka, Chidera (28 July 2015). "Happy Birthday Victoria Kimani". Ngr Guardian Life. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Victoria Kimani-Biography". takemetonaija.com. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "Chocolate City's First Lady". Zen Magazine Africa. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  4. 1 2 Egole, Anozie (12 September 2015). "Sometimes I wear hijab to cover my curves". vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  5. ↑ Cynthia, Madame (4 December 2015). "Is This Her New Catch? What Is Victoria Kimani Up To With This Hot Congolese Male Artist?". Mpasho. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  6. ↑ "It Was Like 'Finally Giving Birth...' an Emotional Victoria Kimani Talks About Finally Completing Her Debut Album". Mdundo. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Akan, Joey. "The Chocolate City diva was signed to Chocolate City in 2013, and the wait for her first LP is almost at an end". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  8. ↑ "Victoria Kimani the Actress? Watch her alongside Wole Ojo, Gabriel Afolayan, Yvonne Ekwere in ‘7 Inch Curve’". Bella Naija. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  9. ↑ Akinsoga (29 January 2015). "Victoria Kimani Shows Off Her Acting Talent On ‘7-Inch Curve’". 360nobs. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  10. ↑ "7 INCH CURVE, AN AFRICAN MOVIE TRAILER: VICTORIA KIMANI, WOLE OJO, GABRIEL AFOLAYAN". 9flix. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  11. ↑ Izuzu, Chidumga (20 January 2015). "Chocolate City’s East African beauty queen and songstress, Victoria Kimani, turns actress as she plays lead role in a soon to be released Nigerian movie '7 Inch Curve'.". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  12. ↑ Oduor, Martin (21 January 2015). "Victoria Kimani In a Steamy 7 Inch Curve Movie. Too Hot!". Ghafla!. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  13. ↑ "Interview With Artists On Strong Girl Initiative By One Organization : Video". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  14. ↑ Tega, Evabeta (14 January 2016). "‘Being A Female Entertainer Doesn’t Make Me A Prostitute’ – Victoria Kimani". Omojuwa.com. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  15. 1 2 "General biography of Victoria Kimani". Chocolate City Music. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  16. ↑ Alli, Mutiat (16 September 2015). "Victoria Kimani: Exploring music from Kenya to Nigeria". Daily Times of Nigeria. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  17. ↑ "VIDEO: Victoria Kimani – M’TOTO". Too Exclusive. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  18. ↑ Onos (20 February 2013). "BN Music Premiere: Chocolate City Kenya Presents Victoria Kimani – M’Toto". Bella Naija. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  19. ↑ "MUSIC [DOWNLOAD]: Victoria Kimani – Queen Victoria (Mixtape)". Talk Glitz. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  20. ↑ "Do What You Do/". I Dey. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  21. ↑ "Music: Victoria Kimani-Show". 360 Nobs. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  22. ↑ This is Africa (27 August 2014). "Victoria Kimani – Prokoto ft. Ommy Dimpoz, Diamond Platnumz". This is Africa. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  23. ↑ DonBoye (27 August 2014). "VIDEO: Victoria Kimani – Prokoto ft. Ommy Dimpoz & Diamond Platnumz". Not Just OK. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  24. 1 2 "LISTEN: VEX – CYNTHIA MORGAN, VICTORIA KIMANI & EMMA NYRA". I Dey. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  25. ↑ "Two of Dem". I Dey. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  26. ↑ "Loving You". I Dey. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  27. ↑ EGO (4 November 2015). "VIDEO: Victoria Kimani – Booty Bounce". Not Just OK. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  28. ↑ "Victoria Kimani – All The Way ft. Khuli Chana". Soundcity. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  29. ↑ "Victoria Kimani - All The Way ft. Khuli Chana". Bottomline Kenya. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  30. ↑ "Victoria Kimani – “All The Way” ft. Khuli Chana". Natzy Naija. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  31. ↑ GambitGuy (21 January 2016). "Victoria Kimani Ft. Khuli Chana ; All The Way". Not Just OK. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  32. ↑ Faruq (21 January 2016). "Official Video: Victoria Kimani – All The Way ft. Khuli Chana". Xclusive Hit. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  33. ↑ "When eight top female artists from across Africa, superstar music producer Cobhams Asuquo and a team of ONE staff got together in Johannesburg to create "Strong Girl", the song didn’t exist.". One Campaign. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  34. ↑ Sokunbi, Deji (13 May 2015). "Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Waje, Yemi Alade, Victoria Kimani & more in “Strong Girl” ONE Campaign Video". Bella Naija. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  35. ↑ Muendo, Stevens (18 November 2013). "Victor Wanyama: Victoria Kimani is my friend". SDE. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  36. ↑ Jaguda (27 May 2015). "New Music: Victoria Kimani - Oya ft. MI + Video". Jaguda. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  37. ↑ O, Olive (24 April 2014). "VIDEO: Victoria Kimani – Hate Me, Kenya". Not Just Ok. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  38. ↑ Jagunda, Ayo (24 April 2014). "Video: Victoria Kimani-Hate". Jaguda. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  39. ↑ "Do What You Do feat Banky W girlz Victoria Kimani". I Dey. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  40. ↑ "F.U.M.F". I Dey. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  41. ↑ "Do What You Do". Too Xclusive. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  42. ↑ George, Sandu (31 October 2013). "Audio: Victoria Kimani awashirikisha kaka zake Bamboo na Kimya katika wimbo mmoja ‘Trayvon’". Bongo 5 (in Swahili). Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  43. ↑ "Freaks". Redifined Media. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  44. ↑ S, Deji (21 February 2014). "New Video: Victoria Kimani Feat. Prezzo & AY – Woah". Bella Naija. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  45. ↑ "New Video: Victoria Kimani-Mtoto".
  46. ↑ "Show". Too Exckusive. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  47. ↑ "Victoria Kimani – Prokoto ft. Diamond & Ommy Dimpoz". MP3 Naija. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  48. ↑ "Victoria Kimani Prokoti ft Diamond & Ommy Dimpoz". Naija Bam Bam. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  49. ↑ "LISTEN: HER (FEAT. VICTORIA KIMANI) – MILLI". I Dey. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  50. ↑ DonBoye (9 May 2015). "Victoria Kimani – Loving You ft Ice Prince". Not Just OK. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  51. ↑ A K, Oluseyi (23 July 2015). "VIDEO: Victoria Kimani – Two Of Dem". Not Just OK. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  52. ↑ S, Deji (24 December 2015). "New Video: Victoria Kimani – Two of Dem". Bella Naija. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  53. ↑ Ade-Unuigbe, Adesola (4 November 2015). "Watch the Super Sultry “Booty Bounce” Video for Chocolate City’s Victoria Kimani". Bella Naija. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  54. ↑ Romeo, Deborah (21 January 2016). "VICTORIA KIMANI - ALL THE WAY FT KHULI CHANA". Chocolate City Music. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  55. ↑ "New Music Victoria Kimani - 'Walahi' (Cover)". Pulse.ng. Joey Akan. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  56. ↑ Ovie O (23 December 2013). "Nosa ft. Victoria Kimani – Merry Christmas". Not Just OK. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  57. ↑ Ovie O (28 March 2015). "Yvonne Darcq ft. Victoria Kimani – Ooh Lala Oui Oui". Not Just OK. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  58. ↑ E.G.O (24 April 2015). "Milli – Her ft. Victoria Kimani (Prod. By CKay)". Not Just Ok. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  59. ↑ Ovie O (2 July 2015). "Dama Do Bling ft. Victoria Kimani – Taking Over". NotJustOk. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  60. ↑ E.G.O (30 September 2015). "Nadia Nakai ft. M.I x Victoria Kimani – Best (Explicit)". Not Just OK. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  61. ↑ "Victoria Kimani Singer channels her 90's vibe in 'All the way' video". Pulse.ng. Joey Akan. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  62. ↑ "Channel O Africa Music Video Awards 2013 nominees announced". Biz Community. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  63. ↑ "Emmy Kosgei, Kelvin Wyre, Victoria Kimani nominated for AFRIMMA awards". The Net. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  64. ↑ Ade-Unuigbe, Adesola (16 November 2015). "First Photos: Praiz, Diamond Platinumz, AKA, Victoria Kimani & More at the 2015 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) + Full List of Winners". Bella Naija. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  65. ↑ Atisele, Kenneth (4 September 2015). "P-Square, Mafikizolo, Victoria Kimani, Sauti Sol, others to battle at African Ent. Awards in Canada". The Net. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  66. ↑ Misiki, Cynthia (2 September 2015). "Incredible! Sauti Sol, Victoria Kimani among Kenyans nominated in African Entertainment Awards USA". Kiss 100. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  67. ↑ "KORA Awards 2016: full list of nominations". My TV News. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
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