By Chiquitta
This Sunday is international Women’s Day, so Chiquitta would like to honour the women artistes who have managed to stay on point when it comes to their music careers. Like BeyoncÈ says, "A diva is a female version of a hustler" and these ladies have proved it. They have managed to stay on course in an industry that is rarely kind to struggling up and coming artistes especially women.
Nyota ndogo
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Wahu |
Today, she is famed for her hit song Watu Na Viatu. Nyota is also one of the few Kenyan artistes who can hold her own with the Tanzanians when it comes to swahili laced R&B. She has never let the negative affect her, instead she uses her music to hit out at those who try to bring her down. She is no longer a nyota ndogo as her name suggests but a big star.
Wahu
Wahu is an all rounder. She has so far managed to make balancing motherhood and career look easy. With her math degree Wahu is no dunce either. Wahu was also the first Kenyan artiste to bring home an MTV Africa award. Her hit Sweet Love showed she wasn’t afraid of exploring diversity when it comes to music. Her down to earth persona continues to endear her to fans across Africa. Haters can hate all they like but Wahu isn’t checking out for them.
Nazizi
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Atemi |
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Atemi
Atemi Oyungu has been in the industry a long time. When she first hit the scene she was part of the group Intu with Natasha Gatabaki Njee. Then she was a slim size 10 and was then known as Carol Atemi. Today she is Atemi, a voluptuous lady with a soulful voice. Her performances at the Urban Legend shows at Carnivore have a faithful following. Her album Hatimaye and singles like Happy and Simama have also been well received and this may very well be the year of Atemi.
Tattuu
If you thought motherhood would get the better of Tattuu you were wrong. The group has managed to make a comeback with their song Solophobia. And although much rounder around the middle the ladies continue to show that chicks really can work together in harmony. Tattuu have avoided internal squabbles that mar all other girl groups and kept it real throughout despite their personal dramas.
Amani
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Tattuu |
Esther Wahome
Esther Wahome broke the barrier of "gospel is for church with her hit Kuna Dawa. And although she has never looked back, she has set the pace for other female gospel singers. With her eclectic but decent style sense, Wahome has also proven that gospel does not mean boring. From humble roots in Nyeri to the world stage, Wahome is hailed as one of Kenya’s biggest gospel stars.